Canadian Technology Accelerator Applicants Guide

The Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program helps Canadian companies connect with global markets through 12 internation al tech hubs. Participants get personalized mentorship, market insights, and access to investors and partners to help them grow faster. The program helps businesses expand and establish a strong presence in new markets. This guide is designed to help you successfully apply to participate in a CTA program.

To be considered for a CTA, your company must meet the following criteria:

Marketplace traction

• You must have a minimum viable product (MVP) that shows clear progress, such as through revenue, investment, or user numbers.
• Life sciences and health companies must have proof of concept and be post-seed.

Product-market fit

• Clearly define your target audience and describe the problem your product solves.
• Demonstrate what makes your product or service different from others.

Experienced executive management team

• Commit to sending at least one senior member (C-level or founder) to participate in the program.
• Make sure the company can pay for expenses in the target market.

Potential to scale

• Present a clear go-to-market plan for the CTA location supported by specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Select the program and location that best aligns with your business goals.
• You can apply for a different CTA later, even if you participated before. Many CTA alumni return to the same program to meet new goals or join a different CTA to explore more markets.

Before starting your online application, gather the following information:

Company and team information

• Contact information and professional backgrounds for up to 3 company founders or CEOs
• Average yearly revenue
• Total funding raised to date and sources of funding
• Annual growth rate (%)
• Funding goal

Product and market details

• Description of your product or service, including elevator pitch, business model, and intellectual property details.
• Overview of your market activity, including current traction, target markets, and competitors.

Strategic goals

• Identify major corporations targeted for strategic partnerships.
• Outline your CTA goals, such as partnerships, customers, product validation, seed funding, or market entry.

References and previous engagements

• Provide references from other Canadian programs and partners.
• List previous TCS events or programs your company has participated in
• Specify other global markets of interest and how you learned about the CTA.

You can save your progress as you complete the application. All information provided is treated as confidential.

Applications are reviewed through a competitive process by the TCS and a panel of industry experts. They assess eligibility and fit for the chosen CTA location.

• Timeline: You will receive a response within 5 weeks of the application deadline.
• Feedback: If your application is not successful, you will receive written feedback explaining the decision.

Applications for most CTA programs are accepted throughout the year. Be sure to check the list of programs for specific application deadlines.

If you have questions about completing your application, or if you have general questions, contact cta-atc@international.gc.ca.