# MaRS Discovery District

> MaRS Discovery District is a Toronto-based registered charity that helps Canadian science and technology ventures commercialize and scale through advisory services, market intelligence, fundraising support and connections to buyers. Its broader platform includes laboratory and office properties, targeted accelerators and the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund.

- **Founded:** 2000
- **Headquarters:** Toronto, Canada
- **Founders:** John R. Evans (Founder and founding chair), Joseph L. Rotman (Co-founder and founding board member)
- **Products:** MaRS membership, MaRS Capital Program, Momentum at MaRS, MaRS Connect, MaRS Innovation Hubs
- **Notable:** Opened the MaRS Centre in 2005., Completed C$290 million West Tower private refinancing in 2017 to repay most provincial interest-bearing loans ahead of schedule., Momentum reports C$2.7 billion revenue and C$3 billion capital raised by participating companies in 2020-2024; these are company outcomes, not causal estimates.

## Products & services

- **MaRS membership** — Free, ongoing support for eligible Canadian ventures, including advisory services, market intelligence, founder communities and talent support.
- **MaRS Capital Program** — Free, no-equity fundraising preparation, investor outreach and closing support for seed and Series A ventures; 20-30 admitted annually.
- **Momentum at MaRS** — Growth planning, executive peer communities, international expansion and fundraising support for companies pursuing C$100 million revenue.
- **MaRS Connect** — Free digital platform linking portfolio startups with accredited investors, corporate innovators and ecosystem members.
- **MaRS Innovation Hubs** — Paid laboratory, office, coworking and event spaces at MaRS Centre and MaRS Waterfront.
- **MaRS FOAK Lab** — Support for the design, financing and execution of first commercial-scale cleantech projects; pilot launched in early 2026.
- **MaRS Adaptech Accelerator** — Nine-venture inaugural cohort focused on climate adaptation, market traction and adoption by Canadian communities.
- **Mobility Unlimited Hub** — Toyota Mobility Foundation-supported accelerator for assistive mobility ventures, including product-development support and international market visits.
- **Startup Toolkit** — Online educational resources for entrepreneurs.

## Achievements

- Opened the MaRS Centre in 2005.
- Completed C$290 million West Tower private refinancing in 2017 to repay most provincial interest-bearing loans ahead of schedule.
- Momentum reports C$2.7 billion revenue and C$3 billion capital raised by participating companies in 2020-2024; these are company outcomes, not causal estimates.
- Helped facilitate a Toronto fleet procurement pathway that resulted in a purchase of 58 Effenco-equipped systems, announced October 2025.
- Announced commitments from more than 20 international partners in September 2026; eight MOUs signed at the announcement.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Audited fiscal 2026 accounts record C$19.898 million non-consolidated revenue and C$2.036 million net income after related-entity results; audit signed June 30.
- **2026-07** — Build the Future report describes early-2026 FOAK Lab launch, a nine-venture Adaptech cohort and C$5 million in FY26 philanthropic fundraising.
- **2026-09** — International network announcement reports more than 20 partner commitments and eight MOUs signed on September 16.

## Links

- Website: https://www.marsdd.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mars-discovery-district/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MaRSDD
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaRSDiscoveryDistrict
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marsdiscoverydistrict/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaRSDiscoveryDistrict
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marsdiscoverydistrict

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mars-discovery-district
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08