The Canadian Impact Investment Prize 2026 is a new funding initiative aimed at supporting early-stage Canadian startups building solutions with measurable social and environmental impact. Organized by CIVIC in collaboration with StartupFest, and supported by partners including Anges Québec and Spring, the program brings together investment, grant funding, and visibility within Canada’s impact investing ecosystem.
The prize package includes a $100,000 investment alongside a $25,000 Startup in Residence grant powered by Desjardins. In total, selected founders gain access to both capital and ecosystem support designed to help accelerate growth and prepare for a potential fall 2026 fundraising round.
The winner will be announced live at StartupFest in Montreal on July 10, in front of investors, finalists, and leaders in the impact space.
Criteria
Applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:
* Canadian-based pre-seed or seed-stage startup
* Clear environmental and/or social impact with measurable outcomes
* Early traction, including initial customers or market validation
* A defined and credible monetization strategy
* A strong, complementary founding team with relevant execution ability
Startups that meet the criteria and advance through the selection process will be contacted directly by email for next steps.
Applications close on June 2, and founders are encouraged to apply early given the competitive nature of the program.