Innovate Calgary

What you need to qualify

• Founders must have the legal right to work in Canada for the full duration of the program.
• Each applicant must be a full-time founding executive owning at least 25 percent of shares or a simple majority.
• Founders must have advanced knowledge and deep technical expertise in an aerospace field.
• The startup must have a viable plan to commercialize its product or service.
• The company must have been incorporated in Alberta or nationally less than two years ago, or have raised under $500,000 in dilutive funding.
• The founder must reside in Calgary and the company must maintain a presence at the Aerospace Innovation Hub for the duration of the program.

Eligibility

How to apply

1. 1

   Check the eligibility bar before you start

   The programme screens on residency, ownership and company age: legal right to work in Canada, a full-time founding executive holding at least 25 percent or a simple majority of shares, incorporation under two years ago or under $500,000 raised in dilutive funding, and a founder living in Calgary.

2. 2

   Submit the online application form by 30 September 2026

   Innovate Calgary states: "Applicants fill out an online application form by September 30, 2026, 11:59 pm". The form is hosted on Jotform at innovatecalgary.jotform.com/261674560261053, which is a separate host from the programme page.

3. 3

   Wait through review and initial due diligence

   October 2026: Innovate Calgary reviews applications and conducts initial due diligence.

4. 4

   Present to the external review panel

   Early November 2026: shortlisted applicants are invited to present to an external review panel.

5. 5

   Complete the final interview round

   Late November 2026: the final round of interviews is completed and applicants are selected.

6. 6

   Receive an offer

   December 2026: offers are sent to successful applicants.

7. 7

   Sign agreements and start

   January 2027: founders complete agreements and start the program.