Edmonton Edge Fund

• Start Stream: Grant funding ranges from $75,000 to $100,000 per project, with no matching funding requirement.
• Scale & Grow Stream: Grant funding ranges from $250,000 up to just under $1,000,000 per project, with a matching funding requirement covering 50% of eligible project costs.
• Milestone-based payments: Funds are disbursed in installments as key project deliverables are completed.
• Each applicant may receive a maximum of one grant from the program.

• The applicant must be a registered business or nonprofit organization with an economic mandate, operating as an active legal entity.
• The applicant must currently operate in Edmonton or have plans to relocate to or expand within Edmonton.
• The organization must have or commit to obtaining a valid City of Edmonton Business Licence during the project.
• For the Start Stream, organizations must have been registered as an active legal entity for at least three months before submitting an Expression of Interest.
• The project must be a new initiative, physically located in Edmonton, and have a maximum term of two years.

Who is eligible?

• Registered businesses in any industry or sector operating in Edmonton
• Registered nonprofit organizations with an Economic Mandate operating in Edmonton

Who is not eligible

• Religious organizations without an Economic Mandate.
• Applicants that are in arrears with the City of Edmonton.
• Applicants currently in dispute with the City of Edmonton.

Eligible expenses

• Direct capital costs, such as equipment and materials essential to the project.
• Direct labour costs, including salaries or wages of new employees and contractor fees specifically for the project.
• Marketing costs directly related to the promotion of the product(s) or service(s) connected to the project.
• Professional, advisory, and technical service fees required for the project.
• Reasonable travel expenses directly related to the project, in line with the National Joint Council Travel Directive.

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Edmonton

• Demonstrated advancement of one or more of the program's Expected Outcomes: job creation, economic benefits, down/upstream benefits, or social/environmental benefits.
• Strength and clarity of the business case, including implementation plan, project need, risk identification and mitigation, and feasibility of objectives and timeline.
• Clear evidence of growth potential, including long-term benefits and competitiveness in the target market.
• Financial viability and justification of project costs, with sufficient budget detail and alignment of requested funding with project scope.
• Additional consideration for projects advancing diversity, equity, or led by newcomers or underrepresented groups.

• Step 1: Review Program MaterialsVisit Edmonton.ca/EdgeFund and carefully read all program materials, including the program guide, to determine project eligibility and understand the requirements.
• Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI) SubmissionOn or after the program launch (August 28, 2023), access the digital Expression of Interest form available on the program’s website.
• Complete the EOI by providing required organization and project details, including applicant information, project description, industry, years in business, ownership, budget, funding amount requested, and other funding sources.
• Submit the completed EOI form by the stated deadline (September 18, 2023, at midnight).
• Step 3: EOI Evaluation and ShortlistingThe Program Team evaluates submitted EOIs based on eligibility and alignment with assessment criteria.
• Shortlisted applicants are notified (expected by October 6, 2023) and invited to submit a Full Application.
• Step 4: Full Application SubmissionShortlisted applicants receive an information package and guidelines for the Full Application.
• Prepare and submit the Full Application between October 9, 2023 and November 6, 2023, including a pitch deck (or equivalent), detailed project budget, quotes for contractors (if applicable), cashflow projections, project milestone schedule, and business case.
• Include confirmation of matching funding if applying under the Scale & Grow Stream, or optional confirmation of other funding sources for the Start Stream.
• Select applicants may book a consultation with the Program Team during this period.
• Step 5: Evaluation of Full ApplicationsThe Program Team reviews Full Applications and forwards shortlisted projects to the selection committee for funding recommendations, based on assessment criteria and budget availability.
• Step 6: Notification of Funding DecisionsApplicants are notified in December 2023 whether their application is approved, approved with conditions, or not approved.
• Step 7: Funding Agreement DevelopmentSuccessful applicants collaborate with the Program Team to develop a milestone and payment schedule in a formal funding agreement.
• Step 8: Project Implementation and ReportingBegin the project within a reasonable timeframe after signing the funding agreement (maximum project term: two years).
• Report progress and provide final reporting upon project completion to the Program Team.

• Applicants may submit multiple applications; however, only the highest-scoring application per applicant will be considered for funding.
• Funding is disbursed in milestone payments, linked to the completion of key project deliverables.
• Applications are evaluated competitively due to limited program funding.
• Decisions on funding approval or rejection are final and may not be appealed.