FedDev —Funding for southern Ontario

• No-interest, repayable contributions ranging from $125,000 to $10 million per project.

• The applicant must be an incorporated business.
• The project must involve developing, commercializing, or producing innovative products, processes, and services.
• The project can focus on improving productivity, capacity, and competitiveness.
• The project may involve scaling up and expanding to develop new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers.
• The project should align with one or more of FedDev Ontario's priorities, such as clean economic growth, growth companies, technology, and industrial transition.
• Priority may be given to projects that support the transition to zero-emission vehicles and housing manufacturing innovation.

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated businesses that develop, commercialize, or produce innovative products, processes, and services
• Companies improving productivity, capacity, and competitiveness
• Businesses focused on scaling-up and expanding to develop new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers
• Projects in clean economic growth supporting greening the economy and sustainable, green job creation
• Growth companies accelerating business development and growth
• Businesses engaged in cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, medical technologies, digital health, and agri-tech
• Projects supporting industrial transition to adopt new technologies and innovations

Eligible expenses

FedDev Ontario supports projects that drive innovation and competitiveness in key areas, focusing on sustainable growth and technological advancement. Eligible activities aim to enhance productivity, market reach, and the adoption of new technologies.

• Development, commercialization, or production of innovative products, processes, and services.
• Enhancement of productivity, capacity, and competitiveness of businesses.
• Scaling up and expanding business operations to access new markets and customer bases.
• Projects supporting clean economic growth, such as those contributing to emissions reduction and creating green jobs.
• Initiatives focused on accelerating business growth and development.
• Projects involving cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, medical technologies, digital health, and agri-tech.
• Support for industrial transition by adopting new technologies and innovations in traditional sectors.
• Projects promoting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and innovative housing manufacturing.

Eligible geographic areas

• Southern Ontario

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Complete applications are reviewed and assessed based on various criteria, including alignment with intake priorities and expected results of the project.

• Alignment with intake priorities
• Expected results of the project
• Degree to which the project supports new or expanded initiatives for your company (i.e., incrementality of the project)
• Quality of the project plan and budget, including contributions of project partners and ability to repay
• Managerial, technical, operational, and financial capacity
• Degree of risk
• Compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements
• Quality of IP strategies for IP-intensive projects
• Breadth, representation, and diversity of projects

• FedDev Ontario prioritizes projects that support inclusive growth and regional coverage, structuring investments to promote equitable growth across urban, small, and rural communities.
• Applicants can contact FedDev Ontario for assistance with the application process, emphasizing a client-focused approach to program delivery.
• Individuals are encouraged to express interest and discuss their project needs with FedDev Ontario before applications open.
• The program supports initiatives that create opportunities for underrepresented groups.