← Directory
IM

IDEA Mississauga

Mississauga, OntarioFinesseMember

INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP STARTS WITH AN IDEA.

MISSISSAUGA INNOVATION DISTRICT. IDEA – Mississauga Innovation District has the essential building blocks that entrepreneurs and innovators need to solve society’s greatest challenges. A network of mentorship, partners, talent and connections to test, scale and commercialize solutions to global challenges. IDEA is Mississauga’s collaborative lead for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. A distinctive community that supports and connects local and globally minded entrepreneurs and businesses, generating international recognition for the City. IDEA Square One, Mississauga's incubator will be launching in Fall 2022

Type

Not-for-Profit

Founded

1974

Regions

Ontario (ON)

Powered by Invest Mississauga. Located in Square One Shopping Centre downtown. Operates Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Part of broader Mississauga Innovation District ecosystem including Lakeview Innovation District.

Industries

General/industry agnostic

Focus Areas

inclusive innovationwomen-led tech startupsglobal challenges

Sourced from website

Stages supported

IdeaDiscoveryValidationEfficiencyScaleMature

Services offered

  • Access to free or discounted licenses for products or devkits
  • Access to specialized equipment, lab facilities, and/or services
  • Discounted and/or free professional services (legal, accounting, bookkeeping, etc.)
  • Financing opportunities and connections with investor groups
  • Free educational events or programming (ie. lunch and learns)
  • Intellectual property education and assistance (Includes: patent, trademark and copyright evaluation, intellectual property strategy, protection and licensing)
  • Mentorship and access to advisors
  • Networking opportunities and community events
  • Office space, co-working environment
  • Paid programming (cash)
  • Paid programming (Equity)
  • Practical prototype/MVP development assistance
  • Regulatory assistance
  • Trade and export support (Includes: Business development missions, internationalization, and any other activities linked to international market development)
  • Virtual office space, reception services
Finessehigh confidence

Refining and expanding venture growth and entrepreneurial competencies and create the connections across innovation ecosystem

Sector-agnostic (broad industry focus). Higher accountability signals (equity/paid programs, later-stage focus).

Learn more about the four BAI types

IDEA Square One Entrepreneurship Hub

incubator

4,300 square-foot collaborative facility for startups, scale-ups, corporate leaders, and investors to collaborate and grow together, including access to mentorship, partners, talent and connections

IDEA Step-Up Program

accelerator

6-month program supporting innovative and inclusive companies to grow and overcome barriers with workshops addressing common challenges faced by CEOs of scaling companies

Summer Company Program

other

Program for Mississauga students aged 15-29 with business ideas to experience entrepreneurship

Starter Company PLUS Program

other

Program assisting people 18 years and over interested in starting, expanding or purchasing a business in Mississauga

Business Advisory Services

other

Expert guidance on business operations, legal, accounting and other business development challenges

EmpowHER Tech Launchpad

accelerator

12-week hybrid program supporting women-led tech startups with mentorship and training

Sourced from website

HC

Humber Centre for Entrepreneurship

Toronto, Ontario

Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves 31,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path, including 180 full-time programs across more than 40 fields of study, 200 part-time and 60 online programs or courses. More than four out of five of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies.

General/industry agnostic
Foundations & Ecosystem-Building
KR

KITE Research Institute

Toronto, Ontario

KITE is a world leader in complex rehabilitation with 100 scientists dedicated to improving the lives of people living with the effects of disability, illness, and aging. KITE is one of the principal research enterprises at the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's top medical research hospital with more than $539 million in total annual research expenditures and 1,194 principal investigators (2023).

General/industry agnostic
University
Finesse
M

MaRS

Toronto, Ontario

We help innovators build a better world

MaRS supports Canada’s most promising startups — helping them grow, create jobs and solve society’s greatest challenges. From advisory services to connections to talent, capital, customers and more, MaRS offers a range of high-value services that help high-growth companies succeed. We also provide access to the MaRS ecosystem, a curated community of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, academics and government partners. MaRS Discovery District is a not-for-profit corporation founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2000.

General/industry agnostic
Finesse
NB

NorthStar Business Studio

Toronto, Ontario

**NorthStar Business Studio** is a premier business accelerator and consultancy based in Canada, dedicated to guiding startups and entrepreneurs toward success. We provide strategic business advisory, startup incubation, and comprehensive support services, including business planning, funding assistance, mentorship, and market expansion strategies. With a strong network of partners, including investors, accelerators, and legal advisors, NorthStar Business Studio empowers innovators with the tools, expertise, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you are launching a startup or scaling your business, we are your trusted partner for growth and innovation.

General/industry agnostic
Finesse