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HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity
Canadian agri-tech accelerator for cleantech and agriculture
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Funding available
$ 350,000 - $ 750,000
Location
Canada
Overview
HARVEST is a business accelerator for Canadian cleantech and agriculture companies focused on scaling biotechnologies or processes to strengthen Canada’s economy and supply chains. Nine start-ups will each receive up to $750,000 and mentorship from Ontario Genomics, Genome Alberta and Genome Prairie to reach industrial commercial scale.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Minimum amount : 350,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Development and commercialization of biotechnology-based innovations in agriculture and agri-food
- Primary agriculture clean technology projects that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact
- Waste upcycling projects that reuse agricultural or food-processing by-products
- Projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental performance
Documents Needed
- Completed intake form
- Completed application form
- Project work plan
- Project budget
- Financial statement or co-funding proof
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
HARVEST page switched to awarded companies overview
The HARVEST page now presents an awards and companies overview instead of the original stream-and-application timeline, with updated funding figures and contact details.
The HARVEST funding opportunity page now highlights nine start-ups receiving up to $750,000 each, plus up to $7 million in support through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s ACT Accelerator, and it adds a direct contact email for HARVEST. It no longer presents the original intake-form and full-application timeline or the two stream links for wasteCANcreate and PACT in the same applicant-guidance format, and it now focuses on meet-the-companies content and award outcomes.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian for-profit enterprises
- Companies in the life sciences and biotechnology sector
- Canadian cleantech and agricultural companies
- Companies in agriculture and agri-food value chains
Who is not eligible
- Academic institutions, unless contracted as a project partner
- Projects focused on fundamental research
- Projects focused on market research
- Commercial launches of already-developed technology
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits directly tied to project work
- Contracted services specific to the project
- Equipment needed for the project
- Other direct project costs
- Overhead costs within the allowed cap
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Market analysis and marketing activities
- Legal fees
- Inventory setup costs
- Hospitality expenses
- Land, building, and construction costs
- Government fees
- Bonuses and severance pay
- Costs already reimbursed by another public program
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Market opportunity and competitive positioning.
- Environmental impact of the proposed activities.
- Company capacity to complete milestones and deliverables.
- Fit with the stream’s technology readiness and project focus.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit intake form
- Complete the initial intake form for the selected stream.
- Wait for eligibility and suitability screening.
- Step 2: Prepare full application
- Complete the full application form.
- Prepare the work plan, budget, and supporting documents.
- Include co-funding commitment documents and any optional partner materials.
- Step 3: Submit full application
- Submit the full application for review.
- Applications are then assessed for program fit and competitiveness.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first screened for eligibility and suitability.
- Qualified applicants are invited to submit a full application.
- Full applications undergo external review and assessment.
- Only selected projects receive an award decision.
- Funding is released only after co-funding is received or committed.
Additional information
- A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment is required.
- The program is divided into two streams: PACT and wasteCANcreate.
- Companies may apply through an intake form followed by a full application.
- Final eligibility decisions rest with the program organizers.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity Program
What is the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity?
HARVEST is a business accelerator for Canadian cleantech and agriculture companies focused on scaling biotechnologies or processes to strengthen Canada’s economy and supply chains. Nine start-ups will each receive up to $750,000 and mentorship from Ontario Genomics, Genome Alberta and Genome Prairie to reach industrial commercial scale.
How much funding can be received?
HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity Funds up to $750,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity program?
To be eligible for the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity program, you must:
Canadian for-profit company
Work performed in Canada
Biotech or life science innovation
What expenses are eligible under HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity?
Salaries and benefits directly tied to project work
Contracted services specific to the project
Equipment needed for the project
Other direct project costs
Overhead costs within the allowed cap
Who can I contact for more information about the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity?
You can contact Ontario Genomics by email at mdorrington@ontariogenomics.ca.
Where is the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity available?
The HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity program is available across Canada.
Is the HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity a grant, loan, or tax credit?
HARVEST Business Accelerator Funding Opportunity is a Grant and Funding