Angel-sized capital. Founder-level involvement.
For a small number of founders each year, we go further than advisory. The Taimaa MVP Program is a micro-investment — angel-check size, not a lead round or a fund — paired with the same hands-on work we do as consultants: business model design, monetization, funding readiness, and go-to-market. It's built for one specific moment: taking a validated idea into a working MVP.
A small, angel-sized check — sized to help fund the push from idea to MVP, not to lead a round or replace a raise. Check size and equity are decided case by case. We don't publish fixed terms, because no two situations are the same — if the MVP Program looks like a fit, we'll discuss specifics early and directly.
This isn't capital to scale an existing product — it's capital to help you build the first version and prove the model. If you're past MVP and raising a proper round, Funding Readiness under Services is the better starting point.
The same services described on our Services page, applied directly and continuously — not a cohort program or a fixed curriculum, but ongoing, 1:1 involvement.
Some MVP Program companies start as Services clients and grow into the program. Others come to us directly. We work with a small number of companies at a time, by design.
The Taimaa MVP Program is best suited for founders with a validated idea who need the push to a working MVP — and want a partner with a financial stake in getting it right, not just a consultant on retainer. If you're pre-idea, need advisory without giving up equity, or you're past MVP and raising a real round, our standard Services are likely the better starting point. Not sure which applies to you? That's exactly what the first conversation is for.
Most "startup grants" are actually loans
Futurpreneur offers up to $75,000, but it's repayable financing, not free money. The Canada Small Business Financing Program guarantees loans up to $1.15 million — again, a loan. Genuine non-repayable grants at the true idea stage are narrower and smaller, such as Ontario's Starter Company Plus at $5,000. The Taimaa MVP Program sits in a similar range to that smallest grant tier — but as an investment, not a loan (nothing to repay), without a government eligibility or training-program gate, and paired with direct, hands-on involvement from someone who's built and launched before, not a generic curriculum.
Common questions
How much does the Taimaa MVP Program invest?
Check size and equity are decided case by case based on the company and stage. It's angel-scale capital — sized to help fund the push from idea to working MVP, not to lead a round or replace a fundraise.
Does the MVP Program need to be repaid?
No. It's an equity investment, not a loan — unlike most Canadian startup financing programs (including Futurpreneur and the CSBFP), which require repayment.
Who is the MVP Program for?
Founders with a validated idea who need capital and hands-on help to get to a working MVP — not pre-idea founders, and not companies already raising a proper funding round.
Can I work with Taimaa without giving up equity?
Yes. Taimaa's core advisory Services are fee-for-service with no equity taken. The MVP Program is a separate, optional path for a small number of founders each year.
Is Taimaa a venture studio or accelerator?
No. Taimaa doesn't run cohorts, operate startups internally, or take large ownership stakes the way venture studios or accelerators do. The MVP Program is closer to angel investing: a small check, plus direct, ongoing advisory involvement with one founder at a time.
Interested in the MVP Program?
These conversations start with understanding your business, not a pitch process.