Innovate BC — BC Fast Pilot program
BC, Canada
Money for pilots and commercialization in B.C
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJune 03, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Innovate BC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Access financial support up to $200,000 for your innovative SME to design, build and operate a pilot plant or small demonstration of new technology in real-world conditions.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are eligible projects and activities under this grant:
- Design and construction of pilot rig
- Site preparation
- Pilot plant commissioning, testing mechanical systems
- Operation of pilot plant
- Testing for stability, reliability, durability, component degradation
- Validation of product features and performance
- Generating data to design a large scale/commercial installation
- Preparing reports and documentation
- Training of end user on the technology
- Data collection and recording
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$200,000
Calgary
Operation of a battery recycling pilot plant
$200,000
Toronto
Testing and validating a water purification pilot plant
$200,000
Halifax
Operation and data collection for an aquaponics pilot plant
$200,000
Ottawa
Commissioning and testing a geothermal heating pilot rig
$200,000
Montreal
Construction and testing of a biogas pilot rig
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- Be a B.C.-based, incorporated business
- Have less than 500 employees on payroll
- Have developed a prototype and are ready to demonstrate the technology at a customer site
- Have an early adopter or potential customer identified
- Meet the eligibility criteria for financial support from NRC IRAP and
- Secure an NRC IRAP ITA
- Priority given to regional B.C. SMEs and pilot implementations in B.C., especially outside the Lower Mainland, cleantech projects, and projects involving Indigenous communities
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible companies for the BC Fast Pilot grant must be B.C.-based and incorporated businesses with less than 500 employees on payroll. They should have a developed prototype ready for demonstration at a customer site and an early adopter or potential customer identified.
- B.C.-based, incorporated businesses
- Businesses with less than 500 employees
- Companies with a developed prototype
- Companies with an early adopter or potential customer identified
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Applicants must be for-profit, incorporated companies based in B.C. with the objective to grow and generate profits. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for this program.
- Non-profit organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
BC Fast funding can support SME technical salaries, contractor fees, capital costs, travel, and other necessary costs incurred during the Project implementation.
- SME technical salaries
- Contractor fees
- Capital costs
- Travel expenses
- Other necessary costs related to project implementation
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant has specific evaluation and selection criteria to guide the application process:
- Projects will be evaluated based on their strength and alignment with the program objectives.
- In addition, priority is given to regional B.C. SMEs, cleantech initiatives, and projects involving Indigenous communities.
- Successful projects are expected to demonstrate measurable success metrics, such as job creation and revenue generation for B.C. SMEs.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Connect with NRC IRAP to get assigned an ITA.
- Step 2: Request an “Expression of Interest for BC Fast Pilot” form from your ITA and fill it out with your ITA.
- Step 3: Submit the Expression of Interest by the specified deadline.
- Step 4: If successful, you will be invited to provide a full project proposal.
grant_single_labels|contact
info@innovatebc.ca
604-335-2495
Apply to this program
BC Fast Pilot Grant Summary
The BC Fast Pilot program offers funding and support to B.C.-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for testing technology innovations in real-world environments. It aims to de-risk these innovations through pilot-scale installations and field testing with early adopters.
Exploring the BC Fast Pilot Grant in Detail
The BC Fast Pilot grant, managed in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), is a valuable opportunity for B.C. businesses to validate and demonstrate their technological solutions. This program is specifically designed for SMEs with less than 500 employees who have developed prototypes ready for real-world testing. By providing financial support and facilitating pilot implementations, the grant encourages innovation and fosters economic growth in the region.
Eligibility for the BC Fast Pilot grant is open to B.C.-based incorporated businesses with a developed prototype technology prepared for customer site demonstrations. Priority is given to projects in regional B.C. areas, especially outside the Lower Mainland, and those focusing on cleantech or involving Indigenous communities or organizations. Successful applicants are required to secure an NRC IRAP ITA and align with the program's guidelines for funding support.
The application process involves submitting an Expression of Interest by a specified deadline, followed by proposal invitations for selected candidates. Funding from the grant can cover a range of project expenses including technical salaries, contractor fees, capital costs, travel, and other necessary implementation costs. Project success is measured through predefined metrics related to the impact on the customer/adopter, job creation, new investments, and revenues generated for participating B.C. SMEs.
While IP protection is beneficial, it is not a mandatory requirement for grant eligibility. The grant timeline mandates project commencement and completion within a specified period, emphasizing the need for efficient execution. The program has supported numerous successful projects since its inception, with a focus on promoting innovation, environmental protection, and economic development in the B.C. business landscape.
By encouraging pilot testing of technology innovations and fostering collaboration between SMEs and early adopters, the BC Fast Pilot grant plays a crucial role in advancing the commercialization of cutting-edge solutions. It serves as a catalyst for driving growth in key sectors such as cleantech and promoting sustainable economic development across different regions of British Columbia.