For promising Ontario technology companies building what's next.
Sparks Cheque
Up to $50K
Initial capital for builders to ship and iterate.
Rolling applications
•
Ontario-based
How Sparks fits
One path. Two cheque sizes.
01
Early formation
02
Sparks cheque
Up to $50K for early validation and company-building.
03
Build the proof
Strengthen the product, team, and customer proof.
04
Core investment
Build the case for a larger MaRS IAF investment.
What we look for
Early insight. Clear ambition. Bias to action.
Hard-won insight
You understand something important about the customer, market, or technology that others have missed.
Bias toward action
You are already talking to customers, building, testing, recruiting, or selling.
Venture-scale ambition
You see a credible path from an early wedge to a large technology company.
Inspires others to join
You can bring in the customers, collaborators, and talent needed to move the company forward.
Companies we BACKED early
What an early cheque can unlock.
A
AI Infra • Pre-product
“The first cheque helped us turn customer curiosity into a real design partner pipeline.”
B
FinTech • Pre-Product
“MaRS IAF gave us permission to move before every answer was polished.”
C
Bio hardware • Pre-Product
“The cheque was small; the signal changed the room.”
APPLICATION
Ready to apply?
You’ll need a one-page memo, a two-minute founder video, and a few details about your team and progress.
Start your application
Not sure Sparks is the right fit? Apply anyway. We’ll look for the best fit, whether that’s a larger IAF investment or a relevant peer investor.
SPARKS APPLICATION
Up to $50K
Ontario technology companies
Pre-product, pre-revenue, or validating the opportunity
Rolling applications
Most decisions are made near the start of each quarter.