The Canadian Impact Investment Prize 2026 is a national funding opportunity supporting startups that are building solutions with clear social or environmental impact. The initiative is organized by CIVIC in partnership with StartupFest, with additional support from Anges Québec and Spring.

The program offers a combined funding package that includes a $100,000 investment and a $25,000 Startup in Residence grant powered by Desjardins. Beyond capital, the prize also provides exposure to Canada’s impact investing community and visibility on stage at StartupFest in Montreal.

The selected winner will be announced live on July 10 during StartupFest, in front of investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders focused on impact-driven innovation.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants are expected to demonstrate the following:

A Canadian pre-seed or seed-stage startup
A clear mission focused on measurable social or environmental impact
Early traction such as pilots, customers, or market validation
A viable business model with a defined path to revenue
A strong founding team with complementary skills and execution ability

Successful applicants advancing through the process will be contacted directly by email for the next steps.

Applications close on June 2, and early submission is encouraged due to limited selection capacit

Apply Here