Canadian Foundation for Innovation and Research (CFIR) research.ca
Canada deserves more entrepreneurs.
We believe it starts with the knowledge of how to build a business — so we fund the scholarships that make that education free, the seed grants that help new ventures grow, and the open research we share with Canada's entrepreneurial community.
About CFIR
CFIR is a Canadian not-for-profit that funds Canadian entrepreneurship.
About the foundationWhat we do
Three focus areas we fund:
Scholarships
Full-tuition scholarships across the three programmes at YEDI - how to build and run a business.
About the scholarships
Where the money goes
for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The Foundation covers tuition in full - so an entrepreneur's capital goes straight into the company.
Our designated institution
The programs run at YEDI.
A recognized name in entrepreneurship education, YEDI offers entrepreneurs a range of programmes to grow their skills and their ventures.
About designated institutionEducation
Three scholarships, for three types of entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneurship Scholarship
For entrepreneurs and small-business owners - covers the Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management diploma at YEDI.
Learn more
The Incubator Scholarship
For startup founders - covers the Incubator Certificate Program at YEDI: a raw idea to a business plan and an investor pitch.
Learn moreThe Not-for-Profit Scholarship
For non-profit leaders - covers the Not-for-Profit Certificate Program at YEDI: develop the organization and pitch it to funders.
Learn moreSeed grants
Applied, selected, completed, funded.
-
Cosmetic R&D
Everyday Chemist
Science-based, made-to-order skincare.
-
Pharmaceutical
Maman Biomedical
Less painful fertility care, by microneedle delivery.
-
Medical device
Vibraint
Brain-controlled rehabilitation robotics.
-
Educational
The Steam Project
STEAM programs and a makerspace for youth.
-
Software development
Legion IT Services
QA testing and training for IT teams.
-
Networking platform
Oh-Hi!
Barrier-free professional networking.
-
Financial services
A+ Wealth
Low-fee financial advice with a human touch.
-
IT services
CeoTech
Room-by-room climate control.
-
Biotech
Pill0
Guidance to the right medication.
-
Fitness equipment
2XSR
Gear for athletes and the outdoors.
Research
Applied research we funded.
Open-access studies on the questions facing Canada's entrepreneurs.
A survey of 68 Canadian startups building on artificial intelligence, alongside national research-spending data from 2010 to 2024.
About this researchA study of how modern business schools teach values and culture - drawn from a survey of 148 graduates across Canada and the United States.
About this researchA study of how venture capital reaches early-stage companies across Canada. Openly published.
About this research
CFIR's News
Be the first to know.
More
Keep exploring.
Partners
Money committed to entrepreneurial education is an investment. The return: new entrepreneurs, new companies, new taxpayers - for Canada.
Our partners