Partners & Funders
Help Canadians apply AI to real goals.
The AI economy is moving quickly. Many capable Canadians — small business owners, workers, newcomers, founders — aren't participating because they lack confidence, guidance, and practical support. Applied AI Works Canada closes that gap.
Why this matters now
The tools are accessible. The people aren't being reached.
The cost of building has collapsed. AI now does work that used to require a team. But the people who stand to benefit most — operators, workers, newcomers, founders without a technical background — are largely outside the conversation. Not because they can't, but because no one has built a serious, practical, Canadian place for them to start.
Applied AI Works Canada is that place. Real programs. Real builds. Operating literacy. Financial agency. Capacity that lasts longer than any tool.
Aligned with
Funding priorities this work maps to.
- Digital inclusion
- AI literacy
- Future-of-work readiness
- Small business modernization
- Canadian economic participation
- Community economic resilience
- Entrepreneurship support
- Financial capability
- Workforce adaptation
- Newcomer integration
- Practical skills development
Participant outcomes
What participants gain.
A working artifact
A page, workflow, prototype, business plan, or system they can use the day after the program ends.
Operating fluency
The business, tax, and admin literacy to actually run what they build.
Financial agency
Owner thinking, investing literacy, and the long-term view to build options instead of dependence.
A builder peer network
People who saw the work take shape and stay in touch after.
Community outcomes
What communities gain.
More modernized small businesses
Local operators using AI and digital tools instead of falling behind them.
More digitally fluent workers
Canadians who can adapt to changes in their industry without dropping out of it.
More locally-built tools and IP
Workflows, prototypes, and systems created and owned in the community.
Stronger economic resilience
Capacity that compounds — across households, businesses, and neighbourhoods.
What partners can fund
Four concrete ways to support the work.
Fund a Cohort
Underwrite a program cohort for participants in your region or sector.
Discuss this optionSponsor Seats
Cover individual seats for newcomers, job seekers, or small business owners who couldn't otherwise participate.
Discuss this optionHost a Workshop
Bring a focused program to your library, BIA, employment centre, newcomer organization, or workplace.
Discuss this optionUnderwrite a Program
Sponsor the development of one of our seven programs — from Tax & Admin Readiness to Investing Foundations.
Discuss this optionMeasurement
How success is measured.
We report what we measure. Quarterly to funders, openly to the community.
Participants trained
Completed builds
Measured increase in AI confidence
Small business workflows created
Websites, apps, and prototypes launched
Participants who formalize a business idea
Participant-reported time saved
Participant-reported income or opportunity gains
Follow-up engagement after the program
Who we partner with
We work with people already serving these communities.
- Foundations & funders
- BIAs
- Public libraries
- Employment agencies
- Newcomer organizations
- Small business centres
- Corporate sponsors
Let's build this together