Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $120000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program?

Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program is funded by Government of Alberta, Alberta Innovates

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program?

You can contact Government of Alberta by email at intake@albertainnovates.ca or by phone at 403-210-5229.

Q: Where is the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program available?

The Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program program is available the province of AB.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

AB, Canada

Wage subsidy for commercialization associate's salary in Alberta

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $120,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : January 1, 2022
Closing date : August 29, 2022

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Get up to $120,000 to cover up to 75% of the salary of a professional to conduct commercialization activities over a one-year project.

Financing terms and conditions

Alberta Innovates offers a structured funding approach for the Industry Commercialization Associate Program to support Alberta's SMEs in commercializing innovative technologies. This funding framework ensures the financial risk is minimized while achieving key project outcomes.

Up to $120,000 in non-dilutive funding can be granted per year for up to two years, depending on the Associate's experience and education level.
The applicant must provide a minimum of 25% of the Associate’s salary in cash, marking the total eligible salary at a minimum of $160,000 per year if the maximum grant amount is received.
Funds are dispersed directly to the applicant after the Investment Agreement is signed, ensuring alignment with project milestones and objectives.
A stacking limit is enforced, where the total government assistance cannot exceed 75% of the eligible project costs, integrating different levels of funding.
Eligible costs are only those incurred after the signing of the Investment Agreement and must reflect market prices between arm's-length entities.
Continued funding relies on the successful completion and reporting of specific project milestones through Progress and Final Reports.

Activities funded

The by Alberta Innovates grant is designed to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies and products. It supports activities that enhance business readiness, de-risk technology commercialization, and build in-house professional capabilities within Alberta-based SMEs.

Commercialization of new technology and innovative products that have a clear product-market fit.
Creation of jobs by employing business professionals with expertise critical for scaling SMEs.
Implementation of projects that progress commercialization and scale-up of operations.
Advancement of business readiness levels towards achieving rapid market entry.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 120,000

Hiring a marketing professional to develop export strategies for AI-driven software solutions

$ 116,250

Hiring a commercialization strategist to promote smart home technology

$ 97,500

Appointing a financial consultant to improve access to funding for a biotech startup

$ 112,500

Recruiting a commercialization expert to launch zero-emission electric bicycles in regional markets

$ 105,000

Engaging a business development manager to increase sales of organic health products in the Canadian market

$ 120,000

Employing an investment officer to attract venture capital for a renewable energy project

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be a small to medium enterprise with fewer than 500 full-time employees.
The applicant must have less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
The business must be Alberta-based and owned, with a significant physical and operational presence in Alberta.
The applicant must not have more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded associates simultaneously.
The applicant must contribute a minimum of 25% of the associate's total annual base salary in cash.
The company must be a for-profit organization or SME registered in Alberta or extra-provincially registered in Alberta.
The applicant must be authorized to execute a grant agreement with Alberta Innovates on standard terms and must be in good financial standing without past bad debt with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries.
The applicant must not be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding due to any legal or financial standing issues.

Who is eligible?

This grant is specifically designed to support Alberta-based small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in advancing the commercialization of innovative technologies and products. Eligible entities must satisfy specific criteria to qualify for this funding.

Alberta-based and owned, demonstrating a significant physical and operational presence in the province.
Small to Medium Enterprises with fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50 million in annual gross revenue.
Must provide a minimum of 25% cash contribution towards the employee's annual base salary.
Incorporated in Alberta, or registered as an extra-provincial corporation or partnership.
Must not have more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded associates concurrently.

Who is not eligible

The Industry Commercialization Associates Program has certain restrictions and eligibility criteria that may render some companies ineligible. These criteria are primarily focused on ensuring the effectiveness of the fund disbursement.

The company must be a for-profit organization or SME (Small to Medium Enterprise).
Companies must not have more than two Industry Commercialization Associates already funded by Alberta Innovates simultaneously.
Firms should be incorporated in Alberta and have a significant physical and operational presence in the province.
Organizations must not be post-secondary institutions or prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding due to past financial issues such as bad debt.
The applicant entity cannot have more than 500 full-time employees or over $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.

Eligible expenses

The Industry Commercialization Associates Program offers financial support for activities that enhance the commercialization capabilities of Alberta-based SMEs. Eligible projects are designed to accelerate the transition from research to market for new technologies and products.

Projects that involve hiring an Industry Associate to facilitate the commercialization of business innovations.
Initiatives to accelerate new technology commercialization through structured project plans and industry research.
Activities aimed at the progression of product-market fit for novel technologies.
Implementation of commercialization strategies and scaling plans in line with predetermined milestones.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to companies that are Alberta-based, aligning with the goals to nurture local innovation and commercialization capabilities. Eligible geographical areas emphasize a significant operational presence within Alberta.

Companies incorporated in Alberta.
Organizations registered extra-provincially in Alberta with a substantial operational presence in the province.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Industry Commercialization Associates Program focus on several key business and technical factors to ensure alignment with the program's objectives.

Assessment of the management team and their ability to execute the project.
Analysis of market conditions and the competitive landscape.
Evaluation of the product/market fit and the uniqueness of the offering.
Strategic approach and feasibility of the go-to-market plan.
Financial assessments, including budgeting and projected financial outcomes.
Evaluation of technical feasibility and readiness levels.
Potential for export and overall marketability.

How to apply

Pre-Application Connection

Engage with a Technology Development Advisor to assess program readiness and receive guidance.

Application Submission

Access the online application portal to submit your application at any time.
Complete and submit the application form detailing the Applicant’s management, project team, innovation and market opportunity, activities and outcomes, and financial state.

Project Management and Follow-up

Upon approval, execute the Investment Agreement with Alberta Innovates.
Engage with a Technology Development Advisor for ongoing project monitoring and support.
Submit required reports, including a Progress Report and a Final Report, to demonstrate project milestones and progress.
Discuss potential second-year funding with a TDA, if applicable.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The maximum level of total government assistance, including federal, provincial, and municipal sources, cannot exceed 75% of the eligible project costs.
Funds are dispersed directly to the applicant upon agreement signing, and reasonable costs incurred only after the Investment Agreement is signed are eligible.
Applicants are encouraged to co-fund projects with other funding agencies, but must adhere to the stacking limit.
Applicants must engage with a Technology Development Advisor prior to applying to ensure readiness.
All applications are evaluated by both Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers.
Performance will be measured on a milestone basis, requiring progress and final reports submitted throughout the project duration.
Project outcomes may be monitored for up to five years post-completion to evaluate economic and other impacts on Alberta.

Contacts

intake@albertainnovates.ca

403-210-5229

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program?

Who is eligible for the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program program?

To be eligible for the Alberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program program, you must: The company must be Alberta-based with an Alberta footprint, including a significant physical and corporate operational presence in the province. The business must be a small to medium enterprise with fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue. The company must contribute a minimum of 25% cash contribution of the total annual base salary of the Associate.