Padder wins $100k FinTech grant to scale rental finance platform

By Milan Rojan

Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup) has awarded Canadian startup Padder the $100,000 Digital Commerce FinTech Grant following a live pitch competition at Startupfest in Montréal, recognising the company’s guarantor-as-a-service platform designed to improve access to rental housing.

Pamela Draper, President of Digital Commerce Payments at Digital Commerce Group, said: “Padder stood out for tackling a very real barrier in the rental market with a solution that is both practical and scalable.”

Padder was selected from ten early-stage Canadian FinTech finalists after progressing through multiple rounds of presentations before a judging panel. The company has developed a platform that enables non-traditional renters to qualify for housing by providing a guarantor service, helping reduce risk for property owners while expanding access to rental accommodation.

The grant comprises $95,000 in non-dilutive funding and a legal support package valued at $5,000 from Osler. According to DCGroup, the funding was designed to help Padder expand its operations, strengthen its product offering, grow its market presence and build relationships with investors and industry participants.

Daniel Moss, Founder of Padder, said the grant will support the company’s next stage of growth by helping expand its platform and increase access to its rental qualification solution.

The competition, launched by DCGroup in 2025 in partnership with Apaylo, Outlier Compliance and Osler, aims to support early-stage Canadian FinTech companies through funding, industry exposure and networking opportunities.

The initiative has reflected growing efforts across Canada’s FinTech ecosystem to support emerging companies developing technology-led financial solutions. Beyond the funding award, the competition has provided participating startups with opportunities to showcase their businesses, engage with investors and strengthen connections across the financial services and technology sectors.