Innovation Growth Program

• Completed IGP Application Form
• Most recent T2 tax return and year-end financial statements, or a completed Start-up Letter
• Current balance sheet and income statement
• Proof of confirmed funding from other sources

Who is eligible?

• For-profit Canadian-controlled private corporations
• Small and medium-sized enterprises based in Manitoba

Who is not eligible

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Professional practices regulated by a governing body under an Act of the Legislature
• Businesses primarily earning passive income
• Crown corporations, municipalities, towns and cities, and organizations owned or controlled by them

Eligible expenses

• Legal fees for intellectual property registration
• Prototype design and build costs, tools, moulds, testing and certification
• Third-party advisory or technical services
• Business-to-business tradeshows or events to secure distributors
• Salaries and wages for net new Manitoba hires working on the project

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Advertising, website development, and business plans
• Land, buildings, equipment, inventory, and shipping expenses
• Owner salary or dividends, financing charges, taxes, and membership fees
• Primary research and development and productivity improvement activities

Eligible geographic areas

• Manitoba

• Quality of the project
• Market for the innovation
• Management capacity
• Commercialization plan and business model
• Investments secured and benefits to Manitoba

• Step 1: Complete the application package
  • Fill in the IGP Application Form in Word format.
  • Prepare the required financial statements or Start-up Letter.
  • Gather proof of confirmed funding from other sources.
• Step 2: Submit by email
  • Email the completed application and supporting documents to the program.
  • Contact the department if a secure submission channel is needed.

• Applications are pre-screened for eligibility and completeness
• Full proposals are reviewed competitively by a panel and subject matter experts
• Applicants not selected receive feedback and may re-submit in future intakes
• Approved applicants must sign a funding agreement before payment
• Performance data is collected after funding is received

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The IGP provides a non-repayable grant, meaning the funds do not need to be paid back.
• A competitive process evaluates applications, and only the strongest that meet the program objectives are considered for funding.
• Reimbursement is contingent upon proof of payment for expenses related to the project.
• The government’s contribution will not surpass 50% of total project costs, including support from all government levels.
• Project activities must be completed within one year from the application intake closing date.
• The grant prohibits reimbursement of expenses incurred before the application intake closing date.
• Applicants must demonstrate matching funds from non-government sources equal to at least 50% of eligible project costs.
• Funding disbursement is determined by satisfactory documentation and compliance with the terms of the funding agreement.
• Annual follow-up performance data collection will occur for six years post-funding, including financial statement reviews and employment data collection.