Builderloo
All funds

MaRS IAF

Fund · Toronto and Waterloo · marsiaf.com

Visit website

The MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund backs Ontario tech founders from first cheque through seed, from offices in Toronto, Waterloo and Ottawa.

Launched in 2008, the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (MaRS IAF) is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests across sectors in Ontario technology companies. It is an evergreen fund, part of MaRS and backed by the Government of Ontario. MaRS says the fund made its 200th investment in January 2026, with more than $100 million deployed since 2008.

Alongside capital, it gives founders guidance, networks and customer access. William Ma is its managing director. The IAF team makes investment decisions, and an investment committee of leaders from other funds, including BDC and OMERS Ventures, approves them.

Founders apply through the Pitch Us form on its site. Its Waterloo office is in the Accelerator Centre at 295 Hagey Boulevard.

What it invests in

Early-stage technology companies, from first cheques through seed

Average cheque size of C$500K

First cheques from C$50K through its Sparks program

Any sector: software, hardware and emerging technologies

A portfolio across enterprise software, healthtech, cleantech and deeptech

Companies rooted in Ontario, with a strong local presence

Location

295 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo, ON N2L 6R5


Waterloo Region startups backed by MaRS IAF (17)

Smile.io

smile.io

Smile powers the world's largest network of loyalty programs, giving you the benchmarks, data, and tools you need to outperform your industry. Tailored for your brand, Shopify Plus Certified, and built to scale.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
11-50 employees2013
View profile

MedReddie

medreddie.com

MedReddie helps healthcare organisations make faster, evidence-based procurement decisions with AI-generated due diligence questions, supplier discovery, and compliance-ready evaluations—all in one secure platform.

Accelerator Centre
11-50 employees2020
View profile

nfinitenano.com

nfinitenano.com

Nfinite delivers ultra–high barrier, fully recyclable paper packaging that replaces multilayer plastics. Lower carbon footprint, curbside recyclable worldwide.

Velocity · University of Waterloo
1-10 employees2021
View profile

LabsCubed

labscubed.com

Automated, ISO- and ASTM-compliant tensile testing for polymer and rubber labs — repeatable results that free your team from repetitive testing.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
2015
View profile

Voltera Inc.

voltera.io

Voltera makes rapid prototyping platforms for additive electronics, from traditional PCBs to flexible, stretchable, and biocompatible electronics of tomorrow.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
51-200 employees2014
View profile

Intellijoint Surgical

intellijointsurgical.com

We develop and commercialize surgical navigation solutions for total joint replacements.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
11-50 employees2013
View profile

Nicoya Lifesciences Inc.

nicoyalife.com

FastHDX pushes protein dynamics research farther, helping scientists understand dynamic structural biology right as it happens. That means no more development blind spots, missed candidates, or undruggable proteins. FastHDX seamlessly integrates with your existing HDX-MS workflows to provide…

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
11-50 employees2012
View profile

Vena Medical

venamed.ca

Vena Medical is providing physicians with the world's smallest camera capable of going inside veins and arteries

Velocity · Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
11-50 employees2017
View profile

RunQL

runql.com

RunQL is a free, open-source SQL IDE or extension for VS Code. Run queries, auto-document schemas, generate ERDs and charts, and save everything as Git-ready files.

11-50 employees2023
View profile

Cavelo

cavelo.com

Cavelo helps MSPs manage cyber risk, reduce tool sprawl, and grow revenue with a unified platform that combines DSPM, data exposure management, and attack surface visibility.

2003
View profile

Dejero

dejero.com

Why choose one when you can have all available connections?!

Communitech
11-50 employees2008
View profile

Modular Productivity Tool for Creative Pros | Monogram Creative Console

monogramcc.com

Creative Console is the only controller powerful and versatile enough to increase productivity and creativity for photographers, artists, editors, music producers, and any digital creatives.

Velocity · Communitech · University of Waterloo
2019
View profile

Axonify

axonify.com

Axonify is the AI-powered Frontline Enablement Platform that closes the costly gap between learning and execution - unifying microlearning, execution tools, and insights to drive measurable business results.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre
51-200 employees2012
View profile

Aterlo Networks

aterlo.com

Aterlo Networks creates unique products that help Internet Service Providers (ISPs) deliver the best experience to subscribers.

Communitech · Accelerator Centre · University of Waterloo
2014
View profile

Agilicus

agilicus.com

Zero-Trust for Critical Infrastructure and Industrial Control Systems. Give any user, on any device, secure access to any resource they need—without a client or VPN.

Communitech
1-10 employees2018
View profile

Pegasus Aeronautics

pegasusaero.ca

Pegasus designs the most advanced hybrid and gas-electric power units in the industry. Cutting edge power systems, diagnostics, and engine control are at the heart of every Pegasus engine.

Velocity · Accelerator Centre
2015
View profile

Bridgit

gobridgit.com

Bridgit is a leading provider of construction resource management software, helping construction teams optimize workforce planning and project delivery.

Velocity · Communitech
51-200 employees2012
View profile

From the fund's own portfolio page and public announcements of its rounds. Only Waterloo Region companies in the directory are shown.

The Weekly

One email every Monday from weekly@builderloo.ca: new startups, funding, events and roles. Unsubscribe anytime.

Log In