If you run a SaaS company or software startup, here's every grant you qualify for
Offset software engineering salaries and server costs by stacking federal wage subsidies and retroactive tax incentives. Compare verified federal and provincial programs, verify matching criteria, and model your funding stacking.
Funding Range
$50,000 – $500,000+
Matched Programs
9 programs
Top Program
SR&ED Tax Credit
Avg. Timeline
3–12 months
Funding Eligibility Estimator
Calculate potential matching grants and tax credits for your business profile.
The SaaS R&D + Wage Stack
How software startups recover up to 75% of development payroll without giving up company equity.
Hire university computer science students using Mitacs co-funding (covers 50% of the stipend).
Secure an IRAP grant to offset salaries of your full-time local core developers.
At tax time, file for SR&ED (Canada) or IRS Form 6765 (USA) to reclaim tax credits on the remaining out-of-pocket payroll expenses.
Apply for digital export grants (like CanExport or STEP) to fund overseas marketing, localization, and travel.
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Recommended Programs (9)
Latest Update: June 2026Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Agency: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Canada's largest tax incentive for businesses conducting scientific research or experimental development. Provides a fully refundable investment tax credit (ITC) for eligible R&D expenditures.
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Agency: National Research Council (NRC)
Provides non-repayable grants and advisory support to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and commercialize innovative technologies.
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
Agency: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Helps small and medium-sized businesses digitize operations, adopt advanced CRM/ERP tools, upgrade cybersecurity, and scale ecommerce pipelines.
Pairs Canadian businesses with academic researchers (grad students and postdocs) to execute specialized R&D projects, offsetting the cost of hiring advanced researchers.
Provides non-dilutive funding to early-stage startups developing highly innovative, high-risk technologies with deep commercial market potential.
California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC)
Agency: Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
An income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate or grow in California, evaluated on job creation, salary levels, and capital investment.
Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Agency: Empire State Development (ESD)
Helps New York small businesses enter or expand into international markets by offsetting costs for trade shows, translations, and global marketing campaigns.
Reimburses Ohio employers for the cost of training existing or new employees to earn industry-recognized technology credentials (e.g., AWS, PMP, Salesforce).
Illinois EDGE Tax Credit
Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Provides tax credits to expanding companies making investments and creating jobs in Illinois, calculated as a percentage of the state income tax withheld from new employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
QCan a SaaS company claim SR&ED tax credits?
Yes. If your team is writing code that solves a technological uncertainty — a new algorithm, improved model, or novel architecture — the salaries, contractor fees, and overhead costs are eligible. Most SaaS startups qualify but underreport eligible hours.
QCan we stack IRAP and SR&ED at the same time?
Yes, and you should. Apply for IRAP to cover active developer wages during the project, then claim SR&ED on the remaining out-of-pocket costs at year-end. You must declare the IRAP funding as "assistance" on your SR&ED claim.
QWhat is the minimum employee count to qualify for IRAP?
There is no hard minimum. NRC IRAP has funded companies with 3–500 employees. The key criteria are: Canadian-incorporated company, engaging in innovation or product development, and a viable commercialization plan.
QHow long does SR&ED take to pay out?
Typically 3–18 months after your fiscal year-end, depending on CRA review time. CCPCs (Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations) receive the full refundable 35% credit; other corporations receive 15% non-refundable.
Related Guides
SR&ED Application & Documentation Guide
Playbook for tracking software development hours and claiming CRA R&D credits.
How to Apply for IRAP Funding Guide
Best practices for contacting ITAs and building project milestones.
Funding Comparison Guides
IRAP vs. SR&ED: Comparing Canada’s Top R&D Funding Options
Compare the NRC-IRAP wage subsidy grant against the CRA’s Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax refund program. Learn how to qualify, calculate yields, and stack them.
NSF SBIR vs. NIH SBIR: U.S. Federal Innovation Grants Compared
Compare the National Science Foundation (NSF) against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Learn which deep-tech R&D grants fit your startup.
CanExport SMEs vs. Global NY STEP: Export Marketing Grants Compared
Compare Canada’s CanExport SMEs program against the United States STEP trade expansion program. Choose the right export cost-sharing program for trade shows and marketing.
Ontario SDF vs. CDAP: Workforce Training vs. Digital Transformation Funding
Compare the Ontario Skills Development Fund (SDF) training wage subsidies against the federal Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) digital adoption planning incentives.
Related Programs
Direct application guides for the core funding programs available to saas companies & software startups:
Funding Eligibility Estimator
Calculate potential matching grants and tax credits for your business profile.
Non-Dilutive Funding Advisory
FSI Digital provides pre-qualification reviews to help saas companies & software startups match the right programs. We do not charge upfront application fees.
Book a 30-minute paid Funding Audit. An FSI advisor reviews your eligibility, identifies your top 3 programs, and builds your action plan.
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