01 / Toronto

Find your next move in Toronto.

TorontoStarts / A field guide for founders

Find the resources that fit the business you’re building.

Toronto’s startup ecosystem connects funding, programs, people and practical knowledge. TorontoStarts brings those starting points together so you can decide where to go next.

Whether you are exploring an idea, preparing to raise money or building your team, begin with the question in front of you. Follow a focused route, then go deeper into the directories, guides and conversations that matter to your stage.

New here? Start with the overview.

Get your bearings, understand the main routes and choose a useful first step.

First, choose what you want to move forward.

02 / Your move

Start with what you need.

Explore your move

Choose your starting point

What are you trying to do right now?

Pick the goal closest to your current challenge. Your three suggested next steps are just below the choices. Choose a goal, then use the button to see your options.

Choose a goal, or explore the general route.

See my next steps

Your starting route

Start here ↗
The shortest orientation to the whole ecosystem.
Funding ↗
Compare the capital options for your next stage.
Community & events ↗
Find people and rooms that can help you move forward.

Your starting point connects to a wider ecosystem.

03 / Ecosystem

Five ways in. One ecosystem.

Explore ecosystem

See how it connects

One goal can open several useful routes.

Funding, community, accelerators, education and the tools to build work together. Explore the route that answers your immediate question, and return to the others as the business develops.

Funding & investment

Compare sources of capital, prepare your pitch and explore the investor directory.

Community & events

Find founder groups, meetups and rooms where useful introductions can happen.

Accelerators & incubators

Compare structured support and decide which programs fit your stage and goals.

Education & coaching

Build the skills to make decisions and work through the next challenge.

Startups & building

Explore who is building in the ecosystem and find context for your own next move.

Start with the capital options and the preparation behind them.

04 / Funding

The capital layer.

Explore funding

Funding & investment

Match the capital to the company.

Grants, loans, angels, venture capital and crowdfunding serve different needs. Consider your stage, sector, use of funds and expectations before deciding which route to pursue.

Explore funding sources

Look at eligibility, application requirements and the kind of business each funding source supports.

Find relevant investors

Compare firms, angel groups and individual investors by geography, stage and investment focus.

Prepare the conversation

Work on the problem, customer evidence, business model and funding ask that belong in your pitch.

A relevant introduction often begins in the right room.

05 / Community

Find your people.

Explore community

Community & connections

Rooms where relationships actually form.

Some conversations begin at a pitch night. Others grow through a founder group you return to every month. Choose the format that gives you room to ask questions, share what you are building and meet people with useful experience.

Find an upcoming event

Explore meetups, pitch nights and workshops, with dates and registration links.

Find your ongoing community

Look for founder groups and networks where you can keep the conversation going.

Meet the community. Capture the moment.

Get your cameras ready for a Snaptique selfie with your favourite new founder, investor or community friend. Remember to tag @TorontoStarts on Instagram.

Take what you learn in the room back into the business.

06 / Capability

Learn it. Put it to work.

Explore capability

Education, coaching & practical tools

Turn a useful idea into something you can use.

Build your knowledge around the decision in front of you. Use a guide to understand the topic, a checklist to prepare, or a conversation with another founder to see how the work looks in practice.