Desjardins Startup in Residence

Overview

Desjardins Startup in Residence is a corporate venture capital program that supports and invests in technology startups generating positive socio-economic impacts in Canadian communities. The program offers a non-dilutive grant of $15,000 and provides tailored mentorship and resources to accelerate business development and socio-economic impact. Participating startups are also eligible for a potential investment of up to $250,000. The program focuses on advancing innovative solutions in sectors such as fintech, proptech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and impact tech, offering tailored mentorship and resources to accelerate business development and socio-economic impact. Since its inception, the program has supported numerous startups, fostering innovation and contributing to the growth of the Canadian tech ecosystem. The program is part of Desjardins Group's broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation within Canada. The program operates in collaboration with various partners and is powered by Desjardins, leveraging the group's expertise, network, and values to support startups with strong potential for growth and a positive socio-economic impact on Canadian communities. In 2024, Startup in Residence launched three calls for applications on the themes of agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, and environmental, social, and governance factors. A total of 192 companies applied, with 42% of applications coming from women founders and 51% from members of a racialized group. Over the course of the year, the program supported 16 startups, and since 2020, over $2.5 million has been invested in participating startups. The program operates in Montreal and Quebec City, providing a collaborative work environment with invaluable mentoring and networking opportunities within Canada's leading cooperative financial group. Desjardins Startup in Residence is part of Desjardins Group's broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation within Canada. The program is designed to foster the development of startups that have the potential to influence Desjardins Group's digital transformation. By providing financial support, mentorship, and access to a vast network, the program aims to accelerate the growth of startups that are addressing real-world problems through technology-driven solutions. The program's focus on sectors such as fintech, proptech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and impact tech reflects Desjardins Group's commitment to advancing innovative solutions that have a positive socio-economic impact on Canadian communities. The program operates in collaboration with various partners and is powered by Desjardins, leveraging the group's expertise, network, and values to support startups with strong potential for growth and a positive socio-economic impact on Canadian communities. In 2024, Startup in Residence launched three calls for applications on the themes of agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, and environmental, social, and governance factors. A total of 192 companies applied, with 42% of applications coming from women founders and 51% from members of a racialized group. Over the course of the year, the program supported 16 startups, and since 2020, over $2.5 million has been invested in participating startups. The program operates in Montreal and Quebec City, providing a collaborative work environment with invaluable mentoring and networking opportunities within Canada's leading cooperative financial group.

Investment Focus

• Positive socio-economic impact on Canadian communities
• Technology-driven solutions addressing real-world problems
• High growth potential in sectors such as fintech, proptech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and impact tech

Portfolio Companies