Government of Canada supports sport-tech innovation and entrepreneurship in southern Ontario
News release
FedDev Ontario invests $1.3 million to help scale Canadian startups and leverage economic opportunities
June 15, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario
Across Canada, the sports sector is strengthening communities and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. Southern Ontario’s sport sector continues to evolve as a hub for talent, from advancing sport technologies to developing high-performance solutions and fan experiences.
Today, at the TradeTO – Trade Diversification Summit, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced $700,000 for the City of Toronto to support local businesses through two complementary initiatives. The first will enhance community-based main street activations across Toronto during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament period, and the second will support export readiness programming to help businesses expand into global markets.
Minister Valdez also announced $600,000 for Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to help establish the Future of Sport Lab x FIFA 2026 Legacy Incubation Hub to help Canadian soccer and sport-technology startups to commercialize and scale innovative solutions. Delivered by TMU in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Hub will design, deliver, and operate an annual cohort-based accelerator program to provide mentorship, commercialization support, pilot opportunities and international partnership development to up to 60 sport technology startups. FedDev Ontario’s investment is supported by additional contributions from key partners, including up to $300,000 from the City of Toronto and investments from private-sector and sport organizations.
As Toronto welcomes the world for FIFA World Cup 2026, these investments will create a lasting economic legacy by supporting innovation, strengthening local business ecosystems, and helping companies pursue new domestic and international opportunities.
Through investments that strengthen innovation and commercialization, the Government of Canada is helping businesses and entrepreneurs grow, compete globally and build a strong and resilient economy for Canadians.
Quotes
“This is an exciting time for Canada’s sports sector and for businesses and communities across southern Ontario as we invest in long-term economic growth and competitiveness. Through strategic investments in innovation, entrepreneurship and local business development—from supporting the Future of Sport Lab to helping main street businesses and exporters in Toronto—we are enabling Canadian companies to scale bold ideas, seize new opportunities and compete globally. Together, these initiatives are positioning southern Ontario at the forefront of the global sport-tech and innovation economy.”
- The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“As Toronto welcomes visitors from around the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Government of Canada is providing targeted investments to help businesses and entrepreneurs make the most of this opportunity. By supporting initiatives like the Future of Sport Lab and main street activations and export readiness programming in Toronto, we are helping businesses grow, create jobs and access new markets.”
- The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
“With the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Canada has a unique opportunity to showcase not only our passion for sport, but also our leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship. As FIFA Sherpa, I am proud to support initiatives that ensure communities and businesses benefit from this historic event.”
- The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport and FIFA Sherpa for Canada
“I want to thank the Government of Canada for this investment in Toronto businesses. As we welcome the world during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this funding will help local businesses seize new opportunities, strengthen our main streets, and reach new markets. When Toronto businesses succeed, our entire city benefits.”
- Her Worship Oliva Chow, Mayor, City of Toronto
"We are thrilled to launch the FSL x FIFA Legacy Innovation Hub, a first-of-its-kind initiative among 2026 World Cup host cities. By combining Toronto Metropolitan University’s research excellence with invaluable insights from Canada Soccer and the Digital Media Zone, and backed by generous support from the City of Toronto and FedDev Ontario, this Hub ensures the World Cup leaves a lasting legacy of sports business innovation and global leadership right here in Ontario."
- Dr. Cheri Bradish, Director, Future of Sport Lab and Sport Initiatives and Associate Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Quick facts
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Toronto is home to nearly 110,000 businesses and a workforce of 1.8 million people, with small- and medium-sized businesses (<100 employees) making up the vast majority.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will generate significant economic benefits, is the first FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States and the first men’s FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada. Toronto is one of the two Canadian host cities for the tournament, along with Vancouver. It is projected to create and maintain over 24,000 jobs and add $2 billion to the Canadian economy - with boosts to tourism, small businesses, hospitality, and local communities.
Associated links
Contacts
Peter Wall
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Peter.Wall@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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