Open
BioCreate Program
Supports southern Ontario biotech SMEs advancing genomics innovations
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 150,000
Timeline
- Open Date : July 9, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The BioCreate Program offers up to $150,000 in non-repayable funding to southern Ontario SMEs, with a minimum $100,000 company contribution, to advance genomics and engineering biology innovations in health, agri-food and cleantech from TRL 4+ to TRL 7+. Eligible activities include R&D, prototype and process development, pilot production, pre-clinical and non-clinical work, as well as business mentorship, IP and regulatory support over an 18‑month project.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : July 9, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 50,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects that advance genomics- or engineering biology–enabled products or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, or cleantech sectors from laboratory validation (TRL 4+) toward prototype demonstration in an operational environment (up to TRL 7).
- Pilot-scale production and testing of biologically derived food ingredients, materials, or other bio-based products to demonstrate performance in real-world conditions.
- Process development and optimization of biomanufacturing methods to de-risk scale-up and improve reliability, quality, or cost-effectiveness of genomics or engineering biology technologies.
- Design, construction and testing of prototype devices or instruments (such as molecular diagnostics or other genomics-enabled tools) in relevant or operational environments.
- Non-clinical and pre-clinical development activities for genomics or engineering biology–based therapeutics that advance towards an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in southern Ontario
- Companies developing genomics-enabled products or technologies
- Companies developing engineering biology (synthetic biology/bioengineering) products or technologies
- Biotechnology SMEs in the health sector (e.g. therapeutics, diagnostics)
- Biotechnology SMEs in the food, agriculture, or cleantech sectors
Who is not eligible
This grant program does not specify explicit exclusions based on industry or status beyond the general eligibility criteria. Companies not meeting these criteria may not qualify for funding.
Eligible expenses
- Labour costs, including gross wages or salaries for employees working directly on the approved project activities.
- Fees for subcontractors and external consultants carrying out clearly identified project-related work or services.
- Direct materials used up in the project (e.g. raw materials, consumables and supplies required to carry out the R&D and development work).
- Purchase of essential equipment required to execute the project, including costs to modify or modernize it, make it operational and ship it to the site.
- Other direct project costs that can be clearly tied to approved activities, including eligible travel and outreach expenses directly related to the project, with prior approval from Ontario Genomics.
Eligible geographic areas
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in southern Ontario, Canada.
Additional information
- The program runs over five years and is expected to support up to seven cohorts and a total of up to 32 SMEs.
- Each funded SME participates in an 18‑month program that includes structured mentorship and culminates in an investor showcase.
- Participating companies are expected to protect their intellectual property and keep project IP in Canada for the duration of the funding agreement.
- Companies must agree to long‑term follow-up, including impact metrics collection for up to five years after project completion.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BioCreate Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the BioCreate 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 BioCreate Program?
The BioCreate Program offers up to $150,000 in non-repayable funding to southern Ontario SMEs, with a minimum $100,000 company contribution, to advance genomics and engineering biology innovations in health, agri-food and cleantech from TRL 4+ to TRL 7+. Eligible activities include R&D, prototype and process development, pilot production, pre-clinical and non-clinical work, as well as business mentorship, IP and regulatory support over an 18‑month project.
How much funding can be received?
BioCreate Program Funds up to $150,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the BioCreate Program program?
To be eligible for the BioCreate Program program, you must:
Applicant must be a Canadian or provincially incorporated SME (≤499 employees and <$50M in revenues) located in southern Ontario.
Company must be developing genomics and/or engineering biology–enabled or enabling technologies in health, food and agriculture, or cleantech.
Company must provide at least $100,000 in matching cash and/or in-kind funding and conduct the 18‑month project in Ontario.
What expenses are eligible under BioCreate Program?
Projects that advance genomics- or engineering biology–enabled products or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, or cleantech sectors from laboratory validation (TRL 4+) toward prototype demonstration in an operational environment (up to TRL 7).
Pilot-scale production and testing of biologically derived food ingredients, materials, or other bio-based products to demonstrate performance in real-world conditions.
Process development and optimization of biomanufacturing methods to de-risk scale-up and improve reliability, quality, or cost-effectiveness of genomics or engineering biology technologies.
Design, construction and testing of prototype devices or instruments (such as molecular diagnostics or other genomics-enabled tools) in relevant or operational environments.
Non-clinical and pre-clinical development activities for genomics or engineering biology–based therapeutics that advance towards an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
Who can I contact for more information about the BioCreate Program?
You can contact Ontario Genomics by email at biocreate@ontariogenomics.ca.
Where is the BioCreate Program available?
The BioCreate Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the BioCreate Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BioCreate Program is a Grant and Funding
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