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Organized by: Platform Calgary — https://www.eventbrite.com/o/19690461102Raising Capital 202 tech founders look beyond equity. This session gives founders a working knowledge of non-dilutive and debt financing.
The problem
Alberta founders aren't short on grant options. Between federal and provincial programs, there are more grants, tax credits and funding programs available than most founders can realistically pursue. That's exactly the challenge.
Too many options to chase them all. Each program has its own eligibility rules, intake windows and reporting requirements. Applying to everything isn't realistic.
Applications are long and time-consuming. A strong application can take weeks of founder time, time that's also needed to build product and find customers.
Without a plan, founders spread themselves thin. Chasing the wrong grant at the wrong time means missed deadlines, rejected applications and lost momentum.
Debt and SR&ED add another layer. SR&ED claims need careful documentation, and banks evaluate companies using language and criteria most founders haven't learned yet.
The real question isn't "what grants exist?" It's "which ones should I prioritize, in what order, and how do they fit with the rest of my capital stack?"
What is Raising Capital 202?
In Raising Capital 101, founders got an overview of the grants available to Canadian startups. Raising Capital 202 takes the next step: how to plan strategically. In this hands-on, 3-hour workshop, you'll learn how to prioritize the right grants for your stage, sector and projects, how SR&ED fits in, and how bank and lender capital can complement grants and equity in a founder-friendly capital stack.
You'll walk away with:
A framework to prioritize which grants to pursue first, and which to save for later
Tips to make long applications more efficient and stronger
An understanding of how SR&ED works and what makes a claim strong
Fluency in the language banks and lenders use, and what they look for before they'll lend
Direct access to a funding body, a bank and an SR&ED expert during a live panel and Q&A
Who should attend: Founders and startup team members planning their non-dilutive funding strategy in the next 6–12 months. Prior Attendance Raising Capital 101 is recommended, but not required.
Meet your instructor
Daniel (Dan) Benin — Co-Founder, Zero To One Strategic Dan is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience launching and scaling technology and wellness ventures. He's known for turning complex funding landscapes into clear, actionable plans that help founders access government incentives, grants and tax credits. Dan is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at NEXT Canada, where he mentors founders scaling high-impact ventures.
About Zero To One Strategic
Zero To One Strategic ($170M+ in Non-Dilutive Funding Secured) is a Canadian consultancy that helps innovators and startups secure non-dilutive capital through grants, SR&ED tax credits and funding optimization. Its cashflow-first approach combines SR&ED, proactive grant writing and claim management, delivered by a team of CPAs, former CRA auditors and PhD technical writers focused on audit-ready claims. The firm reports more than $170M in funding unlocked for 150+ clients, so founders can spend less time on paperwork and more time building.
Show flow
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (Starting from 2026 Alberta will not go into Daylight Saving Time anymore)
Platform Innovation Centre (407 9 Ave SE, Calgary)
1:00 – 1:10 PM: Sign-in
1:10 – 1:20 PM: Program overview
1:20 – 3:00 PM: Workshop: Building Your Non-Dilutive Funding Strategy with Dan Benin
3:00 – 3:15 PM: Break
3:15 – 3:55 PM: Panel: Bank, SR&ED and Funding Body+ audience Q&A
3:55 – 4:00 PM: Program wrap-up and feedback survey
4:00 PM onward: Open networking at Platform Calgary
Panelists to be announced.
Reach out to � [email protected] if you have any questions or need further information before the program begins.
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About Platform Calgary
Platform Calgary is an impact organization whose members are tech companies, large and small, united in a vision of inclusive, innovation-driven prosperity for Calgary. Platform Calgary connects entrepreneurs to a network of partners focused on helping startups launch and grow at every step of their journey, from ideation through to scale.
The Platform Innovation Centre is the front door to this community — a single point of access for people as they navigate Calgary’s innovation ecosystem.
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By participating in this program, you grant Platform Calgary permission to capture photos/videos and use this content in print and/or across our various digital platforms, including our social media, newsletter and website. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].
Platform Calgary is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Learn more about our Safe Spaces & Code of Conduct.
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Event venue
Platform Innovation Centre, 407 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB T2G 2K7, CA, Canada
Tickets
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