MaRS Discovery District: price, who can join and alternatives
MaRS is an innovation hub at College Street and University Avenue in Toronto that supports founders in climate, health and emerging tech through an ongoing membership. Members get mentors, workshops and events with other founders. It also runs public showcases and community events such as a demo day for cleantech ventures.
MaRS Discovery District at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Founders in climate, health and emerging tech | marsdd.com |
| Eligibility | Full-time, coachable founders ready to scale | marsdd.com |
| How to join | Create a startup account on MaRS Connect and apply | marsdd.com |
| Where | MaRS Centre, South Tower, 101 College Street, Toronto | marsdd.com |
| Upcoming event | MaRS @ 25 community reception on 10 November 2026 | luma.com |
| Upcoming event date | MaRS @ 25 starts 5pm local time on 10 November 2026 | luma.com |
| Next event | FOAK Lab Demo Day for cleantech ventures on 18 November 2026 | luma.com |
| Programme | The FOAK Lab is a nine-month programme for Canadian cleantech ventures | luma.com |
| Peer community | A member founder says they met two dozen other founders within weeks | marsdd.com |
Who it suits
- Climate, health and deep tech founders with a prototype or MVP
- Founders who want mentors and a building full of peers
- Teams ready to go full time and scale
Who it doesn't suit
- Idea-stage founders without a prototype
- Consumer or ecommerce founders outside its focus sectors
- Anyone after a casual social meetup
Alternatives to MaRS Discovery District
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeinated Innovators | Not published | Register on Luma |
| Femme in Business Toronto | CA$15 to CA$25 per dinner (meal extra) | Buy a ticket on Luma; host approval |
| Forum Ventures Toronto Coffee Club | Not published | Request a spot on Luma; host approval |
| Founders Running Club Toronto | Not published | RSVP on Meetup or register on Luma |
| LocoBloco | CA$9.99 for a founder dinner (meal extra) | Get a ticket on Luma; host approval |
| Maple Leaf Venture Club | Varies by event (a past demo night was CA$10) | Register on Luma; most events need approval |
| Scalpels & Spreadsheets | CAD 120 / year or USD 90 / year membership; event tickets from CAD 19.77 | Buy an event ticket or an annual membership on Luma |
| Startup Grind Toronto | Not published | Register per event on the chapter page |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about MaRS Discovery District
- Who can join MaRS?
- Startups in climate, health and emerging tech with a prototype or MVP and full-time, committed founders.
- How do I apply?
- Create a startup account on MaRS Connect and submit your application there.
- Where is MaRS?
- MaRS Centre, South Tower, 101 College Street, Toronto.
- Are there upcoming events?
- Yes. MaRS @ 25 on 10 November 2026 and the FOAK Lab Demo Day on 18 November 2026, both by host approval.
- Website
- marsdd.com
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Apply for membership through MaRS Connect
- Format
- Innovation hub with startup membership, programmes and community events
- Checked
MaRS Discovery District isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check marsdd.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.