Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
BioCreate Program
Business support for Ontario biotech start-ups
Funding available
$ 150,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened July 9, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
BioCreate is a five-year, $11.6-million initiative for southern Ontario SMEs in genomics and engineering biology across health, food and agriculture, and cleantech. It provides funding, business mentorship, and infrastructure access to help companies commercialize products and technologies.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
- Commercialization of genomics and/or engineering biology enabled products and technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors.
- Advancing technology from TRL 4+ to TRL 7+.
- Testing a prototype in a real-world environment.
- Pilot production of food ingredients or materials for testing, process development and optimization of biomanufacturing processes, and manufacturing of a prototype device.
- Non-clinical and pre-clinical work leading towards an Investigational New Drug application for therapeutics.
Documents Needed
- BioCreate intake form
- Written application form
- Project and company/team description
- Proof of matching funding and financial ability
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- SMEs located within Southern Ontario
- SMEs working on genomics and/or engineering biology enabled products or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors
- SMEs that have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4+ at a minimum
Eligible expenses
- Labour
- Subcontractors and consultants
- Direct materials
- Essential equipment
- Other direct costs, including travel and outreach
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land, building, or vehicle purchase or rental
- Refinancing and debt-related costs
- Depreciation, amortization, fines, penalties, and litigation costs
- Non-incremental wages and administrator fees
- Hospitality, entertainment, membership, and lobbyist fees
Selection criteria
- Market potential
- Technical feasibility
- Viability of the product or process and how it can be put to use in the real world
How to apply
- Submit an expression of interest.
- If invited, submit the written application.
- Pitch to the BioCreate Expert Panel.
Processing and Agreement
- Accepted companies must provide regular progress reports to Ontario Genomics.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed in cohorts, with funding decisions made twice per year.
- Successful applicants receive a Notice of Award and a Project Agreement.
- Companies must maintain project records for at least 6 years after completion.
- IDEA considerations are part of the review and post-award process.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BioCreate Program Program
What is the BioCreate Program?
BioCreate is a five-year, $11.6-million initiative for southern Ontario SMEs in genomics and engineering biology across health, food and agriculture, and cleantech. It provides funding, business mentorship, and infrastructure access to help companies commercialize products and technologies.
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:
The applicant must be an SME located within Southern Ontario
The project must involve genomics and/or engineering biology enabled products or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, or cleantech sectors
The company must have achieved TRL 4+ at a minimum
What expenses are eligible under BioCreate Program?
Commercialization of genomics and/or engineering biology enabled products and technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors.
Advancing technology from TRL 4+ to TRL 7+.
Testing a prototype in a real-world environment.
Pilot production of food ingredients or materials for testing, process development and optimization of biomanufacturing processes, and manufacturing of a prototype device.
Non-clinical and pre-clinical work leading towards an Investigational New Drug application for therapeutics.
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