How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $100000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program?

Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program is funded by Government of Alberta, Alberta Innovates

What are Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program's eligibility criterias?

The organization must be a for-profit business, incorporated or a partnership registered in Alberta. The company must have fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue. The applicant must contribute a minimum of 25% cash towards eligible project costs.

Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program

Last Update: January 24, 2025

AB, Canada

Voucher for mid-to-late stage development in Alberta

Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $10,001 to $100,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Government of Alberta
Alberta Innovates

Status

Open

Overview of the Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program program

Get up to $100,000 to work in collaboration with project partners to advance technology that is in the mid-to-late developmental stages.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant supports Alberta-based tech and innovation companies by funding essential project expenses, aiding the acceleration of product commercialization. The funding is structured to enhance the capability of businesses in advancing novel technologies.

Supports up to three contracted service providers associated with the project's business and technology development activities.
Funding covers activities such as new product research, design, engineering, prototype development, advanced product testing, patent development, and market assessments.
Companies must contribute a minimum of 25% cash of the total eligible project costs.
Grants are up to $100,000 to cover eligible expenses specified in the project proposal.

Eligible projects & activities

The Voucher Program facilitates new product commercialization for Alberta-based tech companies by supporting business and technology development. Eligible activities focus on various aspects of research, development, and market readiness of innovative technologies.

New product research and development.
Leading-edge design, engineering, and prototype development.
Advanced product testing and refinement.
Patent development initiatives.
Advanced market assessments.
Other technology development activities considered on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 90,000

Developing an advanced AI-driven diagnostic tool for medical imaging

$ 85,000

Developing a next-gen agricultural drone for precision farming

$ 90,000

Innovative water purification system for remote communities

$ 95,000

Developing a smart irrigation system for urban green spaces

$ 75,000

Creating an eco-friendly packaging alternative for the food industry

$ 85,000

Development of a wearable medical device for continual glucose monitoring

Eligibility criteria of the Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program program

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

The applicant must be a for-profit organization incorporated or registered as a partnership in Alberta.
The organization type must be a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME).
The company must have fewer than 500 full-time employees.
The company must have less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
The company must be Alberta-based, meaning it has a significant physical and operational presence in Alberta.
The applicant must be able to contribute a minimum of 25 percent cash contribution of the total eligible project costs.
The organization must have a new, unique technology or innovation that is patentable and working towards commercialization.
The company must not be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding, such as due to past bad debt or not being in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries.

Who is eligible?

The Voucher Program is intended for small to medium Alberta-based enterprises (SMEs) that are for-profit organizations, either incorporated or registered in Alberta, with fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue. Applicants must have a significant physical and operational presence in Alberta and a contribution to the province's economy. Eligible applicants must have novel, promising technologies that are working toward commercialization and be able to contribute a minimum of 25% cash contribution of the total eligible project costs. The companies should be open to collaboration with service providers and adhere to the conditions outlined by Alberta Innovates. Furthermore, all applicants should be in good financial standing with no outstanding obligations to Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries.

Who is not eligible

This grant is focused on supporting eligible Alberta tech companies working towards new product commercialization. It does not specify particular exclusions, but eligibility is described rather than explicit ineligible categories.

Eligible expenses

The Voucher Program funds projects that help advance technology-based business opportunities closer to commercialization and revenue for Alberta SMEs. It supports a range of activities crucial for product development and business strategies.

New product research and development.
Leading-edge design, engineering, and prototype development.
Advanced product testing and refinement.
Patent development activities, excluding maintenance fees.
Advanced market assessment or segmentation analysis.
Development of advanced business and marketing strategies.
Other technology development activities as considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies that are located in Alberta as determined by the funding body's specific requirements. Eligible locations are focused to ensure benefits primarily flow within the province.

Alberta-based companies.

Eligibility criteria of the Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program program

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Voucher Program are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and intended outcomes.

Alignment with the Voucher Program objectives and intended outcomes.
Potential size and scalability of the return to Alberta.
Assessment of technology readiness, including technical feasibility and innovation.
Business opportunity analysis, including market conditions and competitive advantage.
Strength and experience of the management team.
Project risks associated with the application.
Product/market fit and go-to-market strategy.
Export potential and financial stability of the applicant.

How to apply to the Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program program

Connect with Alberta Innovates

Contact Alberta Innovates at 403-210-5229 or intake@albertainnovates.ca to express interest.
Engage with a Technology Development Advisor (TDA) for guidance on project scoping.

Project Scoping

Identify your project's needs and objectives.
Obtain quotes from up to three service providers for project execution.

Prepare Application

Access the application form on the Alberta Innovates online application portal, SmartSimple.
Outline the current state of the opportunity and intended project benefits.
Describe the participation of a service provider and the applicant's business readiness.

Submit Application

Complete and submit the application form through SmartSimple at any time, as intake is continuous.

Application Evaluation

Wait for your application to be reviewed by Alberta Innovates staff and external experts.
Be prepared for any follow-up queries or requests for additional information.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Alberta Innovates encourages co-funding of projects from other funding agencies but imposes a stacking limit to ensure sufficient financial commitment from the applicant.
The program requires applicants to hire up to three service providers for a project duration of one year maximum.
Funding is released to the applicant based on milestone-based reports approved over the project's term.
Alberta Innovates may conduct due diligence checks like corporate, bankruptcy, and litigation searches on applicants and service providers.
Performance outcomes of funded projects may be monitored for up to five years post-completion for evaluation of benefits to Alberta.
All investment decisions and evaluation processes are at Alberta Innovates' sole discretion.
The application evaluation criteria include technology readiness, the applicant's management team, market conditions, and competitive advantage.