Open
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open Date : September 1, 2021
Location
Canada
Overview
If you're a Canadian incorporated SME, start-up company, or academic research institute, you can get a contribution of up to $25,000 to cover up to 40% of the cost of an external consultant or other service provider that will help develop a business or co
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 1, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Other Health Services
- Environment
- Animal Protection
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Fast-Track to Financing Program supports initiatives focused on creating comprehensive business or commercialization plans to secure public funding or private investment. These activities are tailored to enhance the growth potential of biologically-based innovations.
- Engagement of experts for strengthening or revising business or commercialization plans.
- Conducting market, customer, and competitive analysis.
- Developing and refining a value proposition.
- Creating a comprehensive regulatory plan.
- Formulating an intellectual property (IP) plan.
- Designing a robust financial plan.
- Drafting a detailed production plan.
- Performing a sustainability assessment.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Canadian SMEs, start-up companies, or academic research institutes with a focus on developing biologically-based innovations that fit within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9 are eligible to apply for the Fast-Track to Financing Program. Applicants must demonstrate novel natural product or technology ideas that align with the context of the program and have potential market or sector growth. SMEs and start-up companies should aim to achieve significant revenue growth potential, while academic institutes need to address industry challenges with notable market potential. The program is specifically designed for members of Canada's Natural Product Innovation Cluster who can show substantial social, economic, or environmental benefits from their projects.Who is not eligible
This grant has specific exclusions to ensure alignment with its objectives to promote biologically-based innovations. Companies or industries that do not fit within these criteria are ineligible.
- Companies or technologies based on IT (software, hardware, AI, etc.) or mechanical solutions (drones, automation, etc.) that exclude a biological element.
Eligible expenses
The Fast-Track to Financing Program supports projects that aim to create robust business or commercialization plans to attract investment and funding. These initiatives are tailored for enhancing the potential of natural products or biologically-based technologies.
- Engagement of experts to strengthen or revise business or commercialization plans covering components like market analysis, value proposition, and regulatory plan.
- Development of intellectual property and financial plans to secure private capital or public funding.
- Production and sustainability assessment plans to ensure economic and environmental viability.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is open to Canadian incorporated SMEs, start-up companies, or academic research institutes. Therefore, eligibility is geographically limited to entities within Canada.
- Businesses and academic institutions located anywhere within Canada.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Funding is provided through reimbursement of eligible project costs upon approval of quarterly reports.
- Successful applicants must pay a non-refundable project administration fee of 5% of total project costs plus applicable GST/HST.
- NPC's contribution is non-dilutive, non-repayable funding.
- Successful applicants will receive a contract outlining project scope, reporting requirements, and key deliverables.
- An annual report is required during the project and for each of the five years following project completion.
- The funding cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs for SMEs and start-ups, and 100% for academic research institutions, including all government assistance.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fast-Track to Financing Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Fast-Track to Financing 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 Fast-Track to Financing Program?
If you're a Canadian incorporated SME, start-up company, or academic research institute, you can get a contribution of up to $25,000 to cover up to 40% of the cost of an external consultant or other service provider that will help develop a business or co
How much funding can be received?
Fast-Track to Financing Program Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Fast-Track to Financing Program program?
To be eligible for the Fast-Track to Financing Program program, you must:
Applicant must be a Canadian incorporated SME, start-up company, or academic research institute.
Applicant must have a novel natural product or technology at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9, aligned with NPC's definitions.
Must be a member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
What expenses are eligible under Fast-Track to Financing Program?
The Fast-Track to Financing Program supports initiatives focused on creating comprehensive business or commercialization plans to secure public funding or private investment. These activities are tailored to enhance the growth potential of biologically-based innovations. Engagement of experts for strengthening or revising business or commercialization plans.
Conducting market, customer, and competitive analysis.
Developing and refining a value proposition.
Creating a comprehensive regulatory plan.
Formulating an intellectual property (IP) plan.
Designing a robust financial plan.
Drafting a detailed production plan.
Performing a sustainability assessment.
Who can I contact for more information about the Fast-Track to Financing Program?
You can contact Natural Products Canada (NPC).
Where is the Fast-Track to Financing Program available?
The Fast-Track to Financing Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Fast-Track to Financing Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Fast-Track to Financing Program is a Grant and Funding