Soft Landing: Scale From Home

Canada’s Tech Network’s Soft Landing: Scale From Home program offers qualified tech-driven startups and scale-ups exposure to digital business opportunities by offering $4,000 CAD in reimbursable marketing and sales expenses. Accepted companies can use funds to help offset the costs of projects related to net-new sales, business development and digital marketing activities.

Who is this program for?

This program supports tech-driven companies engaging in a variety of digital sales, business development and marketing activities which includes, but is not limited to:

  • Strategizing and executing a targeted digital marketing campaign; hiring a third-party agency to help implement the campaign.
  • Implementing new software tools to increase lead generation, customer acquisitions or sales.
  • The cost of attending a virtual trade show or similar event; developing digital assets for digital exhibition space.
  • Developing and integrating interactive digital product demonstration(s).
  • Other approved initiatives that specifically address expanding and scaling digital sales into both national and international markets. 

Do you qualify?
  • You must be a Canadian tech-driven company (established startup or scale-up) headquartered in Canada.
  • You must have a product that has launched and has generated $2,500 – $3,000,000 in revenue in the past 12 months.
  • Applicants must be offering their own proprietary technology or service, using their own intellectual property.
  • You must have a clearly defined intention for the use of funds. This includes the project(s) to be undertaken and the necessary activities and expense breakdown required to achieve success are given in detail in your application.

Please note: If you are a redistribution, consulting/marketing agency, online retailer, or a company operating by a third party platform, you do not qualify for this program.

  • Applications must include: 
    • A clear explanation of the applicant’s product/service and business model.
    • Specific goals and objectives of generating sales or raising investment based on the proposed activities/projects.
    • Well explained intentions to expand into international markets, if applicable.

All the details (and timing)

    Please find full details for both cohorts in the tables below.

    Fall cohort
    Applications open TBD
    Final date to apply TBD
    Final hear back date TBD
    Final date to incur expenses TBD
    Final date to submit expenses and invoices for reimbursement
    (*Please note that reimbursement may take up to six weeks)    		 TBD

    *Please note, the Fall cohort dates are subject to change.

    Eligible & Ineligible Expenses

    The following are examples of eligible expenses for reimbursement in this program, but are not limited to:

    • The cost of implementing a CRM software (e.g. HubSpot).
    • Third-party costs for executing digital marketing initiatives (e.g. hiring an agency or freelancer for marketing materials or campaigns).
    • Digital advertising costs (e.g. Google Ads, Facebook and Twitter ads, LinkedIn Navigator).
    • Developing digital assets for virtual trade shows/conferences.


    The specific activities undertaken by accepted companies are determined by the company based on their business needs. Canada’s Tech Network reserves the right to deny reimbursement of any submitted expense should we believe it is not aligned with the criteria of the program.

    The following types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement in this program:

    • Print marketing materials (i.e. brochures, postcards, mailers, etc.).
    • In-person events (i.e. conferences, trade shows, etc.).
    • Travel/accommodation expenses within Canada and internationally.
    • Research and product development (i.e. adding new features and/or improvements to new or existing products, conducting market research for your product).
    • Salaries, commissions and bonuses for new and/or existing employees.
    • Expenses relating to lobbying, public relations, policy development and influencer marketing.
    • The cost of developing core marketing and promotional material that supports your company’s operations (i.e. creating a new or initial website, software development expenses, product photography).
    • Promotional products, product samples, giveaway items, company swag (i.e. pens, mugs, umbrellas, tote bags, t-shirts, etc.).
    • Membership fees.
    • Pre-existing expenses such as ongoing, regular operating/core business activities.
    • Capital costs (i.e. computers, office equipment and office space).
    • Website application, maintenance and hosting fees. 
    • Office supplies.
    • Professional development costs (i.e. online and in-person courses).
    • Costs associated with securing intellectual property rights and related activities.
    • Quality assurance (QA) testing of physical products.
    • Consultants (i.e. business, tax, legal) and retainer fees.
    • Gifts, entertainment and hospitality (i.e. meals and beverages for business contacts, including bar tabs).
    • Value-added taxes, goods and services taxes, harmonized sales tax or any refundable portion of taxes or other items for which a refund or rebate is available.
    • Carbon taxes/credits.
    • Expenses paid for with bonus points earned from various programs, or other barter arrangements.
    • Non-specified activities, such as those marked as “to be confirmed.”

    Get in touch!

    For more information or if you have any questions regarding the Scale From Home program, please read our FAQ or contact softlanding@canadastechnetwork.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter @ctn_rtc or contact info@canadastechnetwork.ca to learn more!