GDA Capital is a global organization that provides vertically integrated financial technology services to institutional clients and disruptive technology companies

GDA Capital

Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge is a non-profit

Creating Hope in Conflict: a Humanitarian Grand Challenge

Ontario Startup Studio provides a unique startup ecosystem system where startups don't just grow, they thrive.

It was founded in 2023 and is located in Ontario, Canada.

Ontario Startup Studio

Canada

North America

![CN tower, Canada](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1526417501781-5e7e587b7686?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8OHx8dG9yb250b3xlbnwwfHwwfHx8MA%3D%3D&w=1000&q=80)


 Toronto, the stands as an important financial hub in Canada and proudly claims its spot among the world's favored destinations for startups. Several key factors contribute to this distinction: a global demographic mix,, a ,network of accelerators and incubators, and an accessible and friendly startup community. 

 In the past, Toronto's startups often migrated south of the border or opted for early acquisitions, resulting in few substantial exits or IPOs within the city. However, winds of change are sweeping through Toronto's startup ecosystem. The city's startups are rising fueled by a robust network of entrepreneurs and startup resources, including universities, accelerators, and coworking spaces. 

 One standout success story in Toronto's startup realm is [FreshBooks](https://www.freshbooks.com/?utm_campaign=startupblink&utm_medium=startupblink&utm_source=startupblink), co-founded by Michael Dermont and Joe Sawada in 2004 to address small business accounting challenges. FreshBooks has rapidly ascended to become a leading cloud accounting solution, attracting investments from prominent backers like Oak Investment Partners, Atlas Venture, and Georgian Partners. 

 [Wave](https://www.waveapps.com/?utm_campaign=startupblink&utm_medium=startupblink&utm_source=startupblink), another notable player, offers award-winning free software encompassing invoicing, accounting, receipt scanning, and personal finance. This is complemented by a suite of financial services, including payment processing, payroll, and lending. As of January 2018, over 3 million businesses worldwide have embraced Wave to enhance their operations. 

 [1Password](https://1password.com/?utm_campaign=startupblink&utm_medium=startupblink&utm_source=startupblink) takes center stage by providing comprehensive control over passwords and sensitive business data. As an integral component of the Identity and Access Management (IAM) stack, 1Password safeguards all employee accounts, including those that might slip under the radar. It furnishes employees with secure access to apps and services, enabling safe collaboration by sharing logins, documents, credit card information, and more while maintaining stringent privacy. 

 Toronto's startup scene is growing because of a mix of reasons. Some say it's because living here is cheaper than in places like New York and San Francisco. Salaries are not super high, and there's not too much competition for tech workers. Others think it's good because there aren't as many tech companies here, so it's easier to get noticed. And some like the friendly and helpful people in the startup community here. 

 One recurring theme in Toronto's appeal as a startup hub is its diverse and globally-oriented population. This demographic diversity enables startups to envision their products within a global context. 

 Additionally, Toronto has witnessed a growth of incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces that are driving startup growth. WToronto's startup ecosystem is now mature enough for startups to engage with mentors, exchange ideas, and develop products with global reach. To sustain this momentum, it must continue evolving to keep pace with other top ranked ecosystems preventing any brain drain and capital flight.

"{\"dashboardData\":{\"city_id\":64,\"cluster_parent\":64,\"portal\":null,\"city_name\":\"Toronto\",\"state_name\":null,\"city_partner_link\":null,\"has_complimentary_partner\":false,\"population\":5928040,\"region_name\":\"North America\",\"country_name\":\"Canada\",\"region_position\":9,\"region_last_position\":10,\"position\":22,\"last_position\":23,\"quantity_index\":11,\"quality_index\":25,\"business_index\":44,\"global_count\":1310,\"nationalPosition\":1,\"previousYearNationalPosition\":1,\"rankedCitiesInCountry\":56,\"startupCount\":2529,\"unicorns\":10,\"exits\":23,\"pantheons\":1,\"top3Specials\":{\"0\":{\"unicorn\":\"1Password\",\"exit\":\"Rubikloud\",\"pantheon\":\"Constellation Software\"},\"1\":{\"unicorn\":\"Wealthsimple\",\"exit\":\"Winterlight Labs\",\"pantheon\":false},\"2\":{\"unicorn\":\"Freshbooks\",\"exit\":\"Cybeats Technologies\",\"pantheon\":false}},\"top3_coworking_spaces\":[{\"name\":\"Regus - Ontario, Toronto - Davisville Centre\"},{\"name\":\"Regus - Toronto Parkway Place\"},{\"name\":\"357 Bay St\"}],\"top_industries\":[{\"industry_id\":10,\"industry_position\":13,\"startups_count\":775},{\"industry_id\":3,\"industry_position\":15,\"startups_count\":43},{\"industry_id\":8,\"industry_position\":15,\"startups_count\":110}],\"industries_with_position\":[{\"industry_id\":10,\"industry_position\":13,\"startups_count\":775},{\"industry_id\":3,\"industry_position\":15,\"startups_count\":251},{\"industry_id\":8,\"industry_position\":15,\"startups_count\":243},{\"industry_id\":4,\"industry_position\":19,\"startups_count\":199},{\"industry_id\":6,\"industry_position\":20,\"startups_count\":152},{\"industry_id\":2,\"industry_position\":23,\"startups_count\":111},{\"industry_id\":7,\"industry_position\":23,\"startups_count\":110},{\"industry_id\":1,\"industry_position\":24,\"startups_count\":96},{\"industry_id\":9,\"industry_position\":26,\"startups_count\":51},{\"industry_id\":5,\"industry_position\":29,\"startups_count\":50},{\"industry_id\":11,\"industry_position\":43,\"startups_count\":44}],\"notable_startups_logos\":[{\"notableLogo\":\"startup_315340\",\"slug\":\"prodigy-education\",\"title\":\"Prodigy Education\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/prodigy-education\",\"id\":315340},{\"notableLogo\":\"startup_230219\",\"slug\":\"kik\",\"title\":\"Kik\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/kik\",\"id\":230219},{\"notableLogo\":\"https://images.crunchbase.com/image/upload/t_cb-default-original/pgigykooxjd85m5pjbbg.jpg\",\"slug\":\"ideogram\",\"title\":\"Ideogram\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/ideogram\",\"id\":543174}],\"notable_startups_highest_industry_logos\":[{\"notableLogo\":\"https://images.crunchbase.com/image/upload/t_cb-default-original/pgigykooxjd85m5pjbbg.jpg\",\"slug\":\"ideogram\",\"title\":\"Ideogram\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/ideogram\",\"id\":543174},{\"notableLogo\":\"startup_348055\",\"slug\":\"tailscale\",\"title\":\"Tailscale\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/tailscale\",\"id\":348055},{\"notableLogo\":\"startup_436049\",\"slug\":\"stackadapt\",\"title\":\"StackAdapt\",\"sb_url\":\"/startup/stackadapt\",\"id\":436049}],\"notable_accelerators_logos\":[{\"notableLogo\":null,\"slug\":\"intuit-prosperity-accelerator\",\"title\":\"Intuit Prosperity Accelerator\",\"sb_url\":\"/accelerator/intuit-prosperity-accelerator\",\"id\":6453},{\"notableLogo\":\"\",\"slug\":\"seneca-helix\",\"title\":\"Seneca Helix\",\"sb_url\":\"/accelerator/seneca-helix\",\"id\":3567},{\"notableLogo\":\"\",\"slug\":\"yspace\",\"title\":\"Yspace\",\"sb_url\":\"/accelerator/yspace\",\"id\":3564}],\"notable_coworkings_logos\":[{\"notableLogo\":null,\"slug\":\"292-adelaide-street-west\",\"title\":\"292 Adelaide Street West\",\"sb_url\":\"/coworking-space/292-adelaide-street-west\",\"id\":6245},{\"notableLogo\":null,\"slug\":\"scotia-plaza\",\"title\":\"Scotia Plaza\",\"sb_url\":\"/coworking-space/scotia-plaza\",\"id\":6247},{\"notableLogo\":null,\"slug\":\"48-yonge-street\",\"title\":\"48 Yonge Street\",\"sb_url\":\"/coworking-space/48-yonge-street\",\"id\":6246}],\"notable_organizations_logos\":[{\"notableLogo\":\"\",\"slug\":\"yspace\",\"title\":\"YSpace\",\"sb_url\":\"/organization/yspace\",\"id\":2091},{\"notableLogo\":\"\",\"slug\":\"technation\",\"title\":\"TECHNATION\",\"sb_url\":\"/organization/technation\",\"id\":2109},{\"notableLogo\":\"\",\"slug\":\"hipo\",\"title\":\"Hipo \",\"sb_url\":\"/organization/hipo\",\"id\":2106}],\"top3_cities\":[{\"position\":22,\"city_name\":\"Toronto Area\",\"all_cities_count\":56},{\"position\":40,\"city_name\":\"Vancouver\",\"all_cities_count\":56},{\"position\":43,\"city_name\":\"Montreal\",\"all_cities_count\":56}],\"ranked_entities_count\":[1558,69,32,5],\"city_ids\":[\"64\",\"1678\",\"2433\",\"2508\",\"2952\",\"3869\",\"4102\",\"4211\",\"4239\",\"4358\",\"4428\",\"5175\",\"5219\",\"6349\",\"9695\",\"12630\",\"13476\",\"14702\",\"15331\",\"15336\",\"15337\",\"15338\",\"15340\",\"15341\",\"15342\",\"15382\"],\"description\":null,\"cluster_display_name\":\"Toronto Area\",\"national_startup_count\":7554,\"averageFunding\":\"6750465\",\"country_short_name\":\"CA\"},\"hero\":{\"leftText\":\"Toronto Area has 2,529 startups in our sample database. This represents about 33% of Canada’s startups. Toronto Area is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Canada.\",\"rightText\":\"In 2024, the startup scene of Toronto Area shows much promise after advancing in the Global Ecosystem Index by 1 spot.\"},\"whyYouShouldJoinEcosystem\":{\"leftText\":\"Within Toronto Area there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs\\n to set up their startups in industries such as Software & Data, Energy & Environment, Marketing & Sales. These three industries represent about 37% of the startups\\nrepresented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Toronto Area. \",\"rightText\":\"Toronto Area is Canada's 1st best startup\\n ecosystem and is ranked 9th in North America. With a population of 2M - 10M people,\\n Toronto Area is ranked 22nd in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories\\n including Prodigy Education and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by\\n organizations such as Constellation Software and Regus - Ontario, Toronto - Davisville Centre.\"},\"startupRankingByIndustry\":{\"industry_one\":\"On our map, you can explore a total of 775 startups for Software & Data.\",\"industry_two\":\"The Energy & Environment industry in Toronto Area is ranked 15 globally. There are 43 startups for Energy & Environment on our sample database and map.\",\"industry_three\":\"Marketing & Sales is ranked 15th in the world. Our database contains 110 startups for this industry.\"},\"startupInfrastructure\":{\"text\":\"With a large variety of initiatives, Toronto Area's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in North America. Toronto Area offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups.\\n Below is a list of Toronto Area's most prominent support initiatives:\"},\"startupEcosystemFacts\":{\"descriptionText\":\"Our startup ecosystem map for Toronto Area includes a sample of 2,529 tech companies. We have identified as unicorns 10 startups that have passed the USD 1 billion valuations. Contributing to the vitality of this startup ecosystem are the 1 pantheon member entity. Get the <a class=\\\"underline\\\" href=\\\"https://buy.stripe.com/00g3g98t8ayF4cU144\\\">Pro account</a> for unrestricted insights on this ecosystem.\",\"globalRankInsight\":\"Toronto Area is ranked within the top 30 startup ecosystems globally.\",\"topIndustriesInsight\":\"Toronto Area’s startups excel particularly in Software & Data where it ranks 13 and in Energy & Environment, and Marketing & Sales. <a class=\\\"underline\\\" href=\\\"#industryRanking\\\">Find out more</a>\",\"positionInsight\":\"Toronto Area outranks {city 1 ranked below}, {city 2 ranked below} and {city 3 ranked below}\\n but is surpassed by [object Object] which has a higher total score.\",\"totalFundingInsight\":\"The average amount of funding for startups in Toronto Area is 6750465.\",\"averageFundingInsight\":\"Based on the average startup funding, Toronto Area can be considered a {seed startup ecosystem}.\",\"facilitiesInsight\":\"{city} outranks {city 1 ranked bellow}, {city 2 ranked below} and {city 3 ranked below} but is surpassed by {city 1} which has a higher total score.\"},\"metaDescription\":{\"title\":\"Startup Ecosystem of Toronto Area | StartupBlink\",\"description\":\"Explore Toronto Area’s startup ecosystem which ranks 1st in Canada and 22nd globally. Discover startups, unicorns, and exits in Toronto Area. Dive into Software & Data, which is the best startup industry in Toronto Area.\"}}"

Toronto

Discover the best startup accelerators in Toronto for 2025. Find the best programs to help your business grow and succeed.

Best Startup Accelerators in Toronto for 2025

List of Best Startup Accelerators Programs in Toronto for 2025

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of Toronto

Top Cities for Startups in Canada - Ranked by StartupBlink