Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR)
Highlights
The DAIR Cloud Program is an excellent opportunity for your business to accelerate product and service development. You get free access to cloud resources and expertise in next-generation technologies. This means you can move from idea to commercialization faster and at no cost. The program offers generous monthly credits for Amazon Web Services (AWS), covering data egress and storage charges, and provides access to usage analytics to help you plan for future needs.
Key benefits include:
- Free cloud resources hosted in Canada
- BoosterPacks with sample code and documentation for emerging technologies
- Up to $1,000 a month to spend on AWS services
- Access to a collaborative community of Canadian entrepreneurs and cloud experts
By participating, you can reduce development time and costs, quickly test and validate new features, and build prototypes to showcase to potential customers and investors. The program is designed to be easy to qualify for, with a simple application process and quick response times. Join the DAIR Cloud Program to give your business the boost it needs to succeed.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Eligible Expenses:
- Cloud resources on Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Data egress and storage charges
- Access to Graphical Processor Units (GPUs), based on availability
Use of Funds:
- Funds can be used for the design, development, validation, and demonstration of commercial products or services.
- Funds cannot be used for non-commercial purposes or any activities outside the scope of product or service commercialization.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with the DAIR Cloud Program. Participation is free for eligible businesses.
Qualifications
- Must be a Canadian business.
- Must have fewer than 500 employees.
- Must be building or developing a commercial product or service.
Must use DAIR for design, development, validation, and/or demonstration purposes.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses with 500 or more employees.
- Businesses not based in Canada.
- Businesses not involved in building or developing a commercial product or service.
Description
The DAIR Cloud Program is designed to help your business grow by providing free cloud resources and access to expertise in next-generation technologies. This program is a great opportunity to accelerate the development of your products or services and bring them to market faster.
With DAIR, you get access to a hosted-in-Canada public cloud platform through Amazon Web Services (AWS). You receive generous monthly credits to cover data storage and other cloud services, which can save you significant costs. You can also use these resources to design, develop, validate, and demonstrate your products or services.
Additionally, DAIR offers BoosterPacks—curated packages of resources and sample code for emerging technologies like IoT, machine learning, and augmented reality. These packs are created by experienced Canadian businesses, providing you with valuable insights and support. By joining DAIR, you also become part of a collaborative community where you can get tech support and share knowledge with other Canadian entrepreneurs.
Program Steps
Complete the Application Form: Visit the DAIR Cloud Program application page and fill out the online application form with your business details.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to support your application. You will need:
- Proof of business registration
- A brief description of your product or service
- A business plan or project outline
- Financial statements (if available)
- Any additional information that demonstrates your need for DAIR resources
Submit the Application: Upload the prepared documents and submit the completed application form online.
Review and Wait for Response: Your application will be reviewed by the DAIR team. You can expect a response within five (5) business days.
Receive Credentials: If your application is approved, you will receive credentials to access the DAIR Cloud within five (5) business days.
Start Using DAIR Resources: Once you have your credentials, you can begin using the DAIR Cloud resources, including AWS credits and BoosterPacks, to accelerate your product development.
Provide Feedback: Participate in feedback activities such as short questionnaires or phone interviews to share your insights on the program's quality and benefits. This helps improve the program for future participants.