Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup) Announces $100K Fintech Grant in Partnership with Startupfest

Ahead of this July’s Startupfest in Montreal, Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup) alongside partners at Apaylo, Outlier Compliance and Osler have announced a collaborative initiative that offers a non-dilutive $100,000 grant to promising up-and-coming fintechs. The grant is comprised of $95,000 non-dilutive cash funding as well as the Osler Startup Package valued at an additional $5,000.

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A leading financial technology provider specializing in online payments-related API technology to facilitate payments-as-a-service (PaaS), DCGroup created the grant in 2025. Its purpose is to nurture industry innovation and help promising fintech startups scale operations, expand market presence, elevate their capabilities, and forge connections with industry investors and leaders. This applies not only to the winner but also the top ten finalists, who are given the opportunity to participate in a live pitch competition during Startupfest.

“As the Canadian fintech ecosystem evolves, it is producing incredibly innovative founders and ideas,” said Pamela Draper, President at Digital Commerce Payments, a company within DCGroup. “Many of these businesses are facing challenges associated with accessing capital, visibility, and having strategic connections needed to flourish. This grant isn’t just about providing those resources and opportunities through one-time funding. It’s about nurturing the long-term growth of Canada’s fintech landscape through its most promising talent and advancements. We hope this grant demonstrates how the industry can support and contribute to its future through collaborative initiatives and encourage other organizations to become involved.”

Applications are now being accepted until June 12 with the shortlist of ten finalists announced on June 26. A Startupfest ticket is required for the ten fintechs who participate in the first round of pitching during the event, which will take place on July 8. The top five candidates will meet with judges on July 9 and the winner will be announced during a closing ceremony on July 10.

The Fintech Grant is for fintech startups that meet the following criteria:

• Is a private Canadian corporation
• Is seed stage (pre-Series A)
• Has a minimum viable product with market traction
• Can provide evidence of the ability to hire and grow
• Has founders actively working for the startup with domain expertise and an established, growing team
• Has revenue or a clear forecast to it
• Registered federally or provincially in Canada
• Is a fintech company

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