The DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University)

Headquartered downtown Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan University, the DMZ is a leading startup tech incubator for startups to grow and scale their businesses.[1] In April 2015, the Incubator rebranded from the Digital Media Zone to "DMZ" signalling their transition to supporting sector agnostic startups. [2]

DMZ

Type	Business incubator
Founded	April 2010
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website	dmz.torontomu.ca

Known for supporting Canadian tech startups like cloud computing software company Softdrive,[3] virtual behavioural health platform for psychotherapists OPTT,[3] AI commerce platform Super (formerly known as Snapcommerce),[4] and vacation rental software solution Hostaway,[5] DMZ helps high-potential startups grow and scale to world-class tech businesses by connecting them with customers, capital, experts, and a community of entrepreneurs and influencers.[4]

Since 2014, DMZ has been named a top university-based incubator by UBI Global, and is the only Canadian incubator to have achieved the #1 ranking in its category to date.[6] Since its inception in 2010, DMZ has supported 800+ startups who have raised over $2.5 billion in capital.[7] What began as a small student co-working space in 2010, has transformed into a leading incubator for tech startups around the world.[4]

DMZ is based in the heart of downtown Toronto, but also supports a worldwide network of DMZ-powered incubators. Under the leadership of Executive Director Abdullah Snobar, DMZ offers founders a deep understanding of different local ecosystems, countries and economies through its network of global offices and incubators in over 10 countries.[8]

DMZ launched Landing Pad Tokyo powered by DMZ in Japan as a project of the Japan Industrial Promotion Association,[9] DMZ Cairo in Cairo, Egypt in partnership with Universities of Canada,[10] DMZ Innisfil in partnership with the town of Innisfil,[11] Niagara Falls-Ryerson Innovation Hub in partnership with the city of Niagara Falls,[12] Tech Beach Retreat in the Caribbean,[13] a partnership KOTRA with the Korea Trade Promotion Agency[14] and a partnership with the United Arab Emirate’s Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center[15] among other DMZ-powered hubs.

In 2017 DMZ opened its NYC office to empower tech startups to break into the American market.[16] Located right by Wall Street’s infamous charging bull, the office provides founders with free workspace, office amenities, and access to partners, customers and investors, to help them establish and grow their businesses in the U.S.[17]^,[16]

DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs is the first-in-Canada program to provide startups led by Black entrepreneurs with the strengthening support of a top university-based incubator network, as well as additional programming, mentorship, events, and connections to industry, capital and an alumni network, to support their success and growth.[18]

In 2021, the DMZ Incubator transformed its model to deliver a more customized experience to startups. DMZ’s Incubator model has evolved to offer smaller and more intimate cohorts providing 18 months of support, and helps founders achieve product-market fit, maximize early sales, and attract investment opportunities.[19]

Beyond its Incubator, DMZ has introduced other programs, including its Pre-Incubator to support founders who aren’t ready to apply for the Incubator, yet. DMZ’s vision is to support the full entrepreneurial journey of an early-stage founder: from personal founder development, to ideation, to scaling.[19]

In partnership with Desjardins, DMZ offers an on-demand digital learning platform designed to support aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, and fuel the next generation of business leaders in tech. The Launchpad for Entrepreneurs powered by Desjardins provides entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the beginning stages of the business growth journey.[20]

Recognizing the additional obstacles underrepresented founders face when growing a business, DMZ has also expanded its programming for Black and women founders, equipping them with an additional stream of tailored resources they can tap into.[19]

In 2021, DMZ launched the inaugural Black Innovation Summit to fuel the growth of an equitable ecosystem in Canada. To date, the Black Innovation Summits have awarded $134,000 in funding to Black-led startups to help scale their businesses.[18]^, [21]

DMZ launched DMZ’s Women of the Year in 2022, an annual award designed to honour inspirational women in Canada’s tech and business community and highlight their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to creating impact.[22]  Award recipients represent innovative women-identifying changemakers from diverse backgrounds and industries, including startup founders, corporate leaders, non-profit trailblazers, and emerging youth. [22]  The 2022 recipients can be found here, and the 2023 recipients can be found here. [23]

In 2023, DMZ held its inaugural Women Founders Summit, which saw 10 women-led startups pitch to The Firehood, an angel group dedicated to women-led tech innovations. The Firehood angel investors awarded a cumulative $100,000 CAD to three finalists, which are Apricotton ($50,000), Areto Labs ($30,000), and PragmaClin ($20,000).[23]

DMZ Ventures is the for-profit investment entity established and owned by Toronto Metropolitan University.[24]