Innovate CalgaryGrant

Up to $200,000 Aerospace Accelerator Grant

Sep 30, 2026 23:59:00 America/Edmonton

Opportunity type

Grant

Funding

Fully Funded

Location

Canada

Deadline

Sep 30, 2026 23:59:00 America/Edmonton

About this opportunity

Innovate Calgary, the innovation and commercialization arm of the University of Calgary, runs this two-year, full-time accelerator for early-stage aerospace startups. Funded founders receive up to $200,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, including salary support for one founder, plus coaching, a business curriculum and lab access at the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Calgary. This call is for the third cohort, which starts in January 2027.

What you get:

Up to $200,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, including salary support for one founder
Individualized expert support from Innovate Calgary coaches and expert advisors
A curriculum focused on business skills and running a startup, with more than 24 workshops
Access to the Aerospace Innovation Hub and its prototyping lab in Calgary
IP strategy support and coaching on patenting and licensing

What you'll do:

Work full time on your startup for two years, against milestones set with your coaches
Attend in-person workshops and events, mostly in the first week of each month during the first year
Refine your company objectives and plan how to raise further capital and grow your IP
Run your company from the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Calgary

Key dates:

Applications close September 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm
October 2026: Innovate Calgary reviews applications and runs initial due diligence
Early November 2026: shortlisted applicants present to an external review panel
Late November 2026: final interviews and selection
December 2026: offers sent
January 2027: founders sign agreements and the programme starts

More information:

Programme details and the application form are on Innovate Calgary's Aerospace Accelerator Program page
Questions go to Innovate Calgary through the Contact Us link on the programme page

Who can apply

The founder must have the legal right to work in Canada for the duration of the programme
The founder must live in Calgary during the programme and keep a company presence at the Aerospace Innovation Hub
The founder must be a full-time founding executive who owns at least 25% or a simple majority (whichever is greater) of the startup's shares
The founder must have advanced knowledge and deep technical expertise in an aerospace-related field
The startup must have a tangible, timely plan to bring a commercially viable product or service to market
The startup was incorporated in Alberta or nationally less than 2 years ago, or has raised no more than $500,000 in dilutive funding
University of Calgary affiliation is not required

AI Verification

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Good to know

+Up to $200,000 in non-dilutive funding, including salary support for one founder, so you keep your equity
+Two years of coaching, a startup curriculum and access to a prototyping lab
+Run by Innovate Calgary, the University of Calgary's commercialization arm; you do not need to be connected to the university
+Free to apply

Worth checking yourself

!You must live in Calgary for the full two years and have the right to work in Canada
!Closes 30 September at 11:59 pm. Innovate Calgary names no time zone; submit well before midnight Mountain time
!The Aerospace Innovation Hub lists membership at $600 a month, and the programme does not say in writing that this is covered. Ask Innovate Calgary before you commit
!The application form asks about advanced degrees, although the programme page asks only for deep technical expertise

Sources checked

OPopportunitydesk.orgOfficialINinnovatecalgary.comApplyINinnovatecalgary.jotform.comOfficialINinnovatecalgary.comApplyINinnovatecalgary.comApplyUCucalgary.caOfficialINinnovatecalgary.comApplyEVeventbrite.caOfficialINinnovatecalgary.comApply

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