Startup in Residence

What Startup in Residence does

Startup in Residence (Startup en résidence) is an investment accelerator program based in Montreal, Canada, operated by Mouvement Desjardins — Canada's largest cooperative financial group. Founded in 2017, the program supports early-stage Canadian technology startups with high growth potential and positive socio-economic impact. It selects approximately 10 startups per year from ~250 applications through sector-themed calls for applications covering fintech, regtech, cybersecurity, healthtech, proptech, ESG, manufacturing, AI, and agTech. Selected founders enter an 8-month cohort and receive a non-dilutive $15,000 grant on day one, up to 100 hours of personalized one-on-one mentorship, free office workspace at the Montreal headquarters (co-located at Ax. C), access to an in-residence psychologist, participation in pitch events, and the potential to receive up to $250,000 in equity-style investment from a dedicated $5M Desjardins fund (structured as subordinated debt with a discount convertible into preferred shares). Both the cohort program and the À la carte Support Service — offering 6 to 12 hours of targeted on-demand expert accompaniment on a rolling basis — are provided free of charge to participating startups.

The program does not develop proprietary technology products; its value is delivered through curated access to a network of 50+ mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners including Polytechnique Montréal, Mila (Quebec AI Institute), Esplanade Healthtech Ventures, AWS, Fintech Cadence, Cybereco, MAIN, Proptech Collective, DMZ, Volta, Le Camp, and District 3. The underlying platform is a structured application-and-selection process (online form, selection committee review, pitch to an expert/investor panel) followed by highly individualized mentorship rather than a software or data product. Geographic eligibility is restricted to startups incorporated in Canada, with sourcing spanning Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and British Columbia via partner referral channels.

Revenue mechanics are non-traditional: the program charges no fees to startups and generates no direct revenue. Returns flow back to Desjardins through equity exits on portfolio companies as the sole financial backer. The 2025-2026 cohort comprises 7 startups (Xatoms, FloraTrack AI, BIA Éducation, Civision, Leasey.ai, Scient Tech, and Solyntek), and alumni outcomes documented by the program include Helperbird reaching 500,000 users, Biolift scaling its production line, and credible growth signals from Picketa, Nura Medical, QUBER, Flare Systems, and Aifred Health.

Name

Startup in Residence

Legal name

Startup en résidence

Website

https://startup-residence.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Startup in Residence is a Montreal-based investment accelerator, powered by Mouvement Desjardins, that runs 8-month cohorts for ~10 early-stage Canadian tech startups per year, providing a $15,000 non-dilutive grant, up to 100 hours of mentorship, and potential $250,000 investment from a $5M fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator program
• Venture investment funding
• Startup mentorship services
• Non-dilutive grant program
• Tech startup support

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Investment returns: The program does not charge fees to participating startups. Revenue is generated through equity-style investments — selected startups may receive up to $250,000 in investment (structured as subordinated debt with discount and convertible into preferred shares) allocated from a $5 million fund. Returns flow back to Desjardins as the program's financial backer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Startup in Residence operates an 8-month acceleration program for early-stage Canadian technology startups, providing a $15,000 non-dilutive grant on day one, up to 100 hours of personalized mentorship, office workspace, access to a network of 50+ experts and mentors, an in-residence psychologist, and potential equity investment of up to $250,000 from a $5M fund. The program also offers an À la carte Support Service delivering 6–12 hours of on-demand, targeted expert accompaniment for startups and scale-ups on a rolling basis throughout the year. All participation is free for startups.

Product overview

Startup in Residence (Startup en Résidence) is an investment accelerator program powered by Desjardins, offering two distinct service lines: (1) The core Acceleration Program — an eight-month intensive residency providing up to $250,000 in potential investment, a $15,000 non-dilutive grant, personalized mentorship, expert access, and office space; and (2) The À la carte Support Service — a flexible, on-demand module offering 6-12 hours of targeted expert accompaniment for startups seeking specific guidance. The program is focused on Canadian technology startups with positive socio-economic impact potential.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Startup en Résidence Acceleration Program An eight-month acceleration program for Canadian technology startups that provides personalized mentorship, a $15,000 non-dilutive grant upon admission, access to up to $250,000 in potential equity investment from a $5M fund, office space, an in-residence psychologist, and access to a network of 50+ mentors and experts to prepare founders for investment readiness.
• À la carte Support Service A flexible, targeted support service offering 6–12 hours of customized expert accompaniment for startups and scale-ups, providing quick access to a network of experts and connections to ecosystem partners at no cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• Startups can receive up to $250,000 in investment from a $5M fund dedicated to high-potential startups.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Polytechnique MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolytechnique Montréal collaborates on technology and innovation initiatives, providing access to engineering talent, research capabilities, and academic expertise for participating startups.
• Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMila, a leading AI research institute, partners with the program for AI-themed calls for applications, providing expertise and validation of AI-focused startups.
• Esplanade Healthtech VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEsplanade Healthtech Ventures co-develops the Healthtech call for applications, providing healthcare sector expertise, coaching, and investment readiness support for health technology startups.
• Fintech CadencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFintech Cadence collaborates on fintech and payment technology calls for applications, providing expertise in financial technology and access to the Fintech Cadence Sandbox program for non-winners.
• CyberecocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybereco is a cybersecurity ecosystem organization that partners on cybersecurity-themed calls for applications, providing expertise and network access in the cybersecurity domain.
• MaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain is a key ecosystem partner supporting the PropTech and Manufacturing calls for applications, contributing to Quebec's innovation ecosystem development.
• Proptech CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProptech Collective partners on PropTech-themed calls for applications, providing real estate technology expertise and ecosystem connections for startups in the property technology sector.
• Le CampminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLe Camp is a startup incubator and co-working space in Quebec that refers startups and serves as an ecosystem partner for the acceleration program.
• District 3 Innovation CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistrict 3 (Concordia University) is a startup incubator that refers qualified candidates and collaborates on ecosystem development.
• DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDMZ is a leading startup incubator in Toronto that refers startups to the program and collaborates on ecosystem initiatives.
• VoltaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolta is a startup hub and accelerator in Halifax that refers startups to the program as part of its ecosystem network.
• Station FintechMTLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStation FintechMTL is a fintech hub in Montreal that collaborates on ecosystem development and fintech startup referrals.
• Holt XchangeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHolt Xchange is a startup accelerator associated with Holt文 that refers startups to the program.
• SpringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpring is a strategic partner contributing to climate and fintech challenge calls, supporting the development of sustainable and climate-focused startups.
• Venn InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenn Innovation is an innovation partner supporting the fintech and payment technology calls for applications, providing ecosystem connections in Atlantic Canada.
• Propolys (Polytechnique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPropolys is a technology transfer and innovation initiative at Polytechnique Montréal that supports deep-tech startups.
• ParachuteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParachute is a health and safety organization that may contribute expertise to relevant program themes such as workplace safety and industrial environments.
• Startup AtlanticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStartup Atlantic is a regional startup network that refers early-stage companies from Atlantic Canada to the program.
• Catalyst Cyber AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Cyber Accelerator supports cybersecurity-themed calls by providing expertise and ecosystem connections in the cyber domain.
• Cybersecure CatalystminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecure Catalyst contributes to cybersecurity-focused calls for applications, providing training and expertise in cybersecurity.
• New Ventures BCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Ventures BC is a British Columbia-based startup organization that refers companies from Western Canada to the program.
• EngencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngen is a key partner for the 2026 Manufacturing call for applications, providing industry-specific expertise and connections in the manufacturing sector to help selected startups accelerate their solutions.
• Finance MontrealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Montreal is a financial industry cluster that supports fintech-focused calls for applications, providing connections within Quebec's financial services ecosystem.
• Atlantic FinTechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlantic FinTech supports fintech-themed calls for applications, providing expertise and connections in the Atlantic Canadian fintech ecosystem.
• Payments CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPayments Canada supports payment technology calls, providing insights on the Canadian payments landscape and regulatory context for fintech startups.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DMZ: Top-ranked Canadian startup accelerator based at Toronto Metropolitan University. Directly comparable to SeR in operating model — themed cohorts, mentor networks, investor connections, and ecosystem partnerships serving early-stage Canadian tech founders.
• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator operating across 100+ cities, including Montreal and Toronto. Direct peer in cohort-based accelerator model — structured 3–6 month programs providing mentorship and investor readiness for early-stage founders.
• Volta: Startup hub and accelerator in Halifax, Atlantic Canada. Direct peer — provides cohort-based acceleration, mentorship, and ecosystem connections for Canadian tech founders, and is a SeR partner for Atlantic Canadian referrals.
• District 3 Innovation Center: Concordia University-affiliated startup incubator and accelerator in Montreal. Direct peer — operates cohort-based programs for early-stage Canadian startups in the same Quebec ecosystem where SeR sources many applicants and partners.
• Le Camp: Quebec startup incubator and co-working space in Quebec City. Direct peer in geography and mission — supports early-stage founders with mentorship, workspace, and ecosystem connections, and is listed as a referral partner of SeR.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network with multiple thematic and city-based programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent — offers 13-week cohort-based acceleration, mentor-driven programs, and seed investment in early-stage startups worldwide.
• Real Ventures: Montreal-based early-stage venture capital fund. Comparable as a broader Quebec VC incumbent — provides pre-seed and seed capital, mentor networks, and ecosystem support to the same Canadian tech founder pool that SeR serves.
• Luge Capital: Montreal-based fintech-focused venture capital fund. Comparable as a sector-specialized Quebec VC — provides capital and networks to fintech founders, and is a SeR ecosystem partner for fintech cohorts.
• Esplanade Healthtech Ventures: Quebec-focused healthtech accelerator and fund. Comparable as a sector-specialized incumbent and SeR partner — co-develops healthtech-themed cohorts and supports the same healthtech startup ecosystem in Quebec.

Regional players

• New Ventures BC: British Columbia-based startup support organization. Comparable as a regional ecosystem player — provides accelerator programs and founder support for Western Canadian startups, and is a SeR referral partner for that geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/startupenresidence

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup in Residence