Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program

• Last 3 fiscal year-end financial statements, or all years if the organization was founded less than 3 years ago, including the most recent quarter, prepared on an audited, review engagement, or notice to reader basis; if audited statements do not exist, unaudited internally prepared financial statements for the same period.
• Letter indicating the Associate’s intention to participate in the Project at the time of the application.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit organizations.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Alberta-based companies registered in Alberta and/or extra-provincially registered in Alberta, including General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships registered in Alberta.

Who is not eligible

• Companies with more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded Associates simultaneously.
• Organizations that are prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding, including those with a past bad debt or that are not in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries, InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies.
• Publicly traded companies that cannot demonstrate significant Alberta ownership and control.

Eligible expenses

• Salary for employees to promote the commercialization of your business.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs incurred prior to the Project Start Date are not reimbursable.
• Costs incurred prior to the signing of the Investment Agreement are ineligible.
• Costs greater than market prices are ineligible.
• Grant funds must not be used to pay a US based vendor without prior written consent.

• Fit with the program objectives and intended outcomes.
• Management team, market conditions, competitive advantage, product/market fit, go-to-market plan, financials, technical feasibility, and export potential.
• Stage 1 considers the applicant and the project opportunity.
• Stage 2 also considers the Associate’s suitability and the project work plan.

• Engage with a Technology Development Advisor before applying online; they provide guidance, coaching, and assess program readiness.
• Apply in two stages if needed: Stage 1 is for applicants who have not yet identified an Associate and gives six months to submit the Associate and Project sections of the application; Stage 2 is for applicants who have already identified the Associate.
• Current clients can access and submit application forms through SmartSimple, the online application portal, or connect with their Technology Development Advisor with questions.

• All applications are reviewed and evaluated by Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers.
• Approved applicants must sign Alberta Innovates’ standard-form Investment Agreement before funding is released.
• Funding is tied to milestone completion, and the applicant must submit a Progress Report and Final Report and show sufficient progress before the next milestone payment.
• Technology Development Advisors monitor project progress and provide coaching to the applicant.
• An applicant whose application is declined may, on a one-time basis, re-apply to address and correct deficiencies or issues.

• Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis.
• Applicants must first connect with a Technology Development Advisor before applying.
• Funding is paid directly to the applicant under an Investment Agreement.
• Project progress is monitored through progress and final reports.