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FedDev —Funding for southern Ontario
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Funding for businesses in southern Ontario by FedDev Ontario.
Grant and Funding
Overview
The FedDev Ontario grant program supports incorporated businesses in Southern Ontario by providing no-interest, repayable contributions ranging from $125,000 to $10 million per project. Eligible activities include developing, commercializing, or producing innovative products, processes, and services, improving productivity and competitiveness, and scaling up or expanding to develop new business opportunities. The program prioritizes projects focused on clean economic growth, business development, technological innovation, and industrial transition.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Selling in a new market
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 125,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Activities funded
- Development, commercialization, or production of innovative products, processes, and services.
- Improvement of productivity, capacity, and competitiveness.
- Scaling up and expanding to create new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers.
- Projects supporting clean economic growth and the greening of the economy.
- Projects contributing to emissions reductions and creating sustainable and green jobs.
- Accelerating business development and growth for growth companies.
- Projects in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, medical technologies, digital health, and agri-tech.
- Support for industrial transition by adopting new technologies and innovations to improve competitiveness in traditional sectors.
- Projects supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and housing manufacturing innovation.
- Initiatives promoting inclusive growth and regional coverage, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and fostering growth in various communities.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,250,000
Developing a new AI software for predictive maintenance in manufacturing
$ 2,000,000
Research and development of a novel renewable energy storage system
$ 1,500,000
Enhancing digital infrastructure for remote work capabilities
$ 2,500,000
Expanding production capacity for eco-friendly packaging solutions
$ 1,000,000
Developing a mobile app for mental health support
$ 1,250,000
Launch of a new line of organic skincare products
Eligibility
- 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
Selection criteria
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
How to apply
1
Express Interest
Contact FedDev Ontario at info@feddevontario.gc.ca or 1-866-593-5505 to discuss your interest in applying and verify your eligibility.
2
Stay Informed
Subscribe to FedDev Ontario newsletters and follow their social media channels for updates on the next intake period.
3
Prepare for Application
- Review detailed program information and assess if the funding opportunity aligns with your project objectives.
- Gather necessary documentation and information needed for the application process.
4
Application Intake Preparation
- Mark the upcoming intake periods in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 on your calendar.
- Prepare your application materials in advance of the intake period opening.
Additional information
- 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.
Contacts
info@feddevontario.gc.ca
1-866-593-5505
