BioCreate Program
ON, Canada
Support for commercialization in genomics and engineering biology in Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 15, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 30, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Genomics
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Access funding, mentorship, infrastructure, investor showcase, and business support to enable your SME to commercialize genomics and engineering biology enabled products and/or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, several types of projects and activities are eligible for the BioCreate grant. These include initiatives focused on advancing genomic and engineering biology technology through various stages, from research and development to commercialization in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors.
- Research and development starting after achieving TRL 4+ and advancing to TRL 7+.
- Projects that include the use of genomics or engineering biology technology, or are genomics or engineering biology-enabled or enabling.
- Initiatives aimed at testing a prototype of the technology in a real-world environment (TRL 7).
- Pilot production of food ingredients or materials for testing.
- Process development and optimization of biomanufacturing processes.
- Manufacturing a prototype device, such as molecular diagnostics or instruments.
- Non-clinical and pre-clinical work leading towards an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for therapeutics.
- Use of at least $5,000 of the funding for specialized expertise regarding IP and/or regulations.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$150,000
Vancouver
Enhancing clean energy production using bioengineering approaches
$150,000
Winnipeg
Using genomics to improve livestock health and productivity
$150,000
Toronto
Developing AI-based diagnostic tools for early cancer detection
$150,000
Ottawa
Developing biodegradable packaging using bioengineering techniques
$150,000
Montreal
Developing plant-based proteins for sustainable food production
$150,000
Calgary
Creating a sustainable agriculture framework using genomics
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The BioCreate program eligibility criteria require applicants to be SMEs located in southern Ontario working on genomics or engineering biology technologies that have reached at least TRL 4, with projects designed to advance to TRL 7. The project must include financial matching from the participating company and be conducted in Ontario.
- Applicants must be a Canadian or provincially incorporated business
- Project must be led by a SME located in southern Ontario
- Include use of genomics or engineering biology technology
- Conduct research and development starting after the achievement of TRL 4+
- Projects must achieve TRL 7+ during the project
- Each project must be matched with $100,000 minimum in funding from the company
- Project must be performed in Ontario and awarded funds cannot flow outside of Ontario
- Projects must articulate a plan to attract investment, create jobs and improve lives in southern Ontario
- Project should be 18-months in duration
- Applicants must follow the application process outlined
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The BioCreate grant is aimed at small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in southern Ontario that are working on genomics and/or engineering biology enabled products and/or technologies. These companies should be in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors and have achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or higher.
- SMEs must be Canadian or provincially incorporated businesses.
- Project must be led by an SME located in southern Ontario.
- The project must include genomics or engineering biology technology, or be genomics/engineering biology-enabled or enabling.
- Each project must match at least $100,000 in funding from the company, with funding from other government programs allowable as match.
- The project must be performed in Ontario, with funds not allowed to flow outside of Ontario without approval.
- Funded projects should articulate plans to attract investment, create jobs, and improve lives in southern Ontario.
- Project duration should be 18 months.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are no specific types of companies mentioned in the grant context that are not eligible for the BioCreate program. The main eligibility requirement is that the applicant must be a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) located in southern Ontario, seeking to commercialize genomics or engineering biology enabled products or technologies in specified sectors.
- The applicant must be a Canadian or provincially incorporated business.
- Project must be led by a SME located in southern Ontario.
- Include use of genomics or engineering biology technology, or be genomics or engineering biology-enabled or enabling.
- Conduct research and development starting after the achievement of TRL 4+ and advancing to TRL 7+ during the project.
- Each project must be matched with $100,000 minimum in funding from the company.
- The project must be performed in Ontario and awarded funds cannot flow outside of Ontario unless first approved by Ontario Genomics.
- Funded projects must clearly articulate their plan to attract investment, create jobs and improve lives in southern Ontario in the near to long-term.
- Project should be 18-months in duration.
- Applicants must follow the application process outlined.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The BioCreate program has specific eligible project expenses that include costs related to labor, subcontractors, direct materials, equipment, and other direct costs essential for the project.
- Labour
- Subcontractors and Consultants
- Direct materials
- Equipment (must be essential for the project)
- Other Direct Costs
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for the BioCreate grant are located in southern Ontario. Applicants must be a Canadian or provincially incorporated business led by a SME situated within this region.
- Southern Ontario
- Canadian or provincially incorporated business required
- SME must be located in southern Ontario
grant_single_labels|criteria
The BioCreate program evaluates proposals based on their alignment with specific criteria, aiming to support the development and commercialization of genomics and engineering biology technologies. Projects must demonstrate strong market understanding, TRL progression, and potential benefits to southern Ontario.
- Understanding of target customers, global market, competition, and competitive advantage
- TRL progression/advancement within the project, creating an inflection in value
- Expertise and resources necessary for the proposed project team
- Background and rationale, including industry pull and market need
- Innovative aspects of the project, including preliminary data and feasibility
- Demonstrated benefits to southern Ontario and the company
- Detailed project work plan, objectives, milestones, and roles
- Clearly articulated next steps and pathway to commercialization
- Reasonable budgeted costs aligned with the proposed project plan
- Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles in recruitment and team composition
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete intake form on the BioCreate website
- Step 2: Intake call with the BioCreate team
- Step 3: Eligible applicants invited to submit an application (deadlines in Spring and Fall of each year)
- Step 4: Applications submitted
- Step 5: Application review and invitation to pitch
- Step 6: Company pitch to BioCreate expert panel
- Step 7: Notification of Awards
- Step 8: Contract Executed
- Step 9: 18-month BioCreate project launched
grant_single_labels|contact
biocreate@ontariogenomics.ca
Apply to this program
BioCreate Grant Overview
The BioCreate Grant is a $11.6 million initiative spearheaded by Ontario Genomics, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in southern Ontario to commercialize genomics and bioengineering technologies. This multi-phase program offers non-repayable funding, mentorship, and business support, aiming to propel companies from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4+ towards achieving market-ready solutions.
In-depth Analysis of the BioCreate Grant: Opportunities for Southern Ontario SMEs
The BioCreate Grant is a transformative program designed to bolster innovation and commercialization within the genomics and bioengineering sectors in southern Ontario. As a leading initiative funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Ontario Genomics, BioCreate offers an unprecedented opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to excel in health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors. This article delves into the details of the BioCreate Grant, exploring its objectives, phases, eligibility criteria, and potential impacts on the regional economy.
Program Objectives
The BioCreate Grant targets SMEs that leverage genomics and engineering biology—fields that have witnessed monumental growth due to advancements in genetic understanding and engineering capabilities. The program's primary objective is to aid these companies in advancing from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4+ to TRL 7+, facilitating the transition from lab-based research to market-ready solutions. By providing financial support, mentorship, and access to expertise, the BioCreate Grant seeks to catalyze the commercialization process, enhancing the economic and technological landscape of southern Ontario.
Program Phases
The BioCreate program is structured into three distinct phases, each designed to provide comprehensive support throughout the commercialization journey: 1. **Phase I: BioCreate Investment** This initial phase involves a rigorous three-stage application process, where eligible SMEs submit expressions of interest, followed by detailed applications and pitches to an expert panel. Successful applicants receive up to $150,000 in non-repayable funding. The funding is contingent on the company matching at least $100,000, ensuring a minimum total project size of $250,000. The focus of this phase is to validate the market potential and technical feasibility of the proposed projects. 2. **Phase II: Intensive Business Mentorship** Over 18 months, SMEs engage in tailored business mentorship to support both technological development and business strategy refinement. This phase emphasizes intellectual property (IP) management, regulatory navigation, and access to critical infrastructure. Partner organizations like Velocity, Toronto Metropolitan University's Science Discovery Zone, Synapse Consortium, and Cleantech Commons provide additional resources and infrastructure support. 3. **Phase III: Investor Showcase** Upon completing the mentorship phase, companies participate in an investor showcase. This platform allows SMEs to pitch their refined business models and developed technologies to venture capitalists and strategic partners, facilitating the acquisition of follow-on investment for future growth and commercialization efforts.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the BioCreate Grant, SMEs must meet stringent eligibility criteria. Companies must be Canadian or provincially incorporated, based in southern Ontario, and committed to utilizing or enabling genomics or engineering biology technologies. Projects must aim to progress from TRL 4+ to TRL 7+, demonstrate potential for commercial success, and illustrate clear plans for attracting investment, creating jobs, and improving lives in southern Ontario.
Impacts and Opportunities
The BioCreate Grant is more than just financial support—it's a comprehensive growth platform for ambitious SMEs in a thriving sector. By connecting cutting-edge research with market needs, the grant tackles the gap between innovation stages and real-world application, propelling businesses toward commercialization and competitive success on a global scale. With biotechnology startups receiving unprecedented venture capital investments globally, the BioCreate Grant positions Ontario as a leading hub for genomics and bioengineering excellence, fostering economic growth and sustainable advancement. The grant supports sustainable innovation, which is critically important for sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and cleantech, directly impacting communities by creating jobs and enhancing quality of life. BioCreate also emphasizes inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), encouraging applications from diverse teams. This strategic focus enhances the potential for comprehensive socio-economic impact, fostering environments where diverse technological innovations can thrive.
Final Thoughts
The BioCreate Grant represents a strategic leap forward in harnessing the potential of genomics and bioengineering to meet pressing global challenges. By offering a structured pathway from concept to commercialization, this program not only nurtures individual businesses but also strengthens southern Ontario's position in the global biotechnology landscape. Participating SMEs gain invaluable support and investment opportunities, equipping them to turn innovative ideas into market-leading products and technologies that can drive economic growth and societal benefits. For any SME operating within the realms of genomics and bioengineering in southern Ontario, the BioCreate Grant is a pivotal opportunity to catalyze growth and make a meaningful impact on both local and global stages.
