OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program is a Partnering and Collaboration

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program?

OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program is funded by Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)

Q: Who is eligible for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program?

To be eligible for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program, you must: • For-profit SME, incorporated in Ontario or Canada • Less than 500 employees in Ontario • Majority of full-time employees and project operations in Ontario

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program?

You can contact Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) by email at NLobo@oc-innovation.ca.

Q: Where is the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program available?

The OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are startups eligible for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

ENCQOR 5G SME Program for Ontario technology development

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 100% of project cost

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program provides funding to Ontario-based SMEs to partner with ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms, focusing on the development, integration, testing, or validation of pre-commercial 5G technologies within TRL levels 1-7. Eligible activities must align with Challenge Statements posted on a rolling basis, with the goal of generating economic, environmental, or social benefits for Ontario, though the specific maximum funding amount is not explicitly mentioned in the context provided.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers 100% of total eligible project costs, subject to the maximum defined in each posted Challenge Statement.
No industry partner financial contribution is required.
Funds are disbursed through reimbursement based on submitted interim and final progress and claims reports.
Capital costs are not eligible for funding.

Activities funded

The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program focuses on developing, integrating, testing, or validating pre-commercial 5G technologies. The projects must respond to specific Challenge Statements and aim to enhance the technological capabilities of Ontario-based SMEs.

Development of innovative 5G technologies responding to posted Challenge Statements.
Integration of new technologies within the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed.
Testing and validation of 5G technologies in line with targeted technology readiness levels (TRL 1-7).

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 300,000

Integration of 5G technology in autonomous farming equipment for better yield

$ 200,000

Testing a 5G-powered augmented reality shopping experience application

$ 350,000

Validation of a 5G-based drone delivery system for medical supplies

$ 250,000

Integration of 5G technology in smart city infrastructure for traffic management

$ 300,000

Development of a 5G-enabled remote health monitoring system

$ 250,000

Development of a 5G-compatible sensor network for environmental monitoring

Eligibility

The applicant must be a for-profit, incorporated small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Ontario or Canada with fewer than 500 employees in Ontario.
The company must have operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project.
At least 50% of full-time employees must have Ontario as their ordinary place of work.
The applicant must develop or use innovative technology or processes that provide a competitive advantage in relevant markets and address a Technology Development Challenge Statement in partnership with an ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm.
The applicant and its project must be in good financial and reporting standing with OCI and be willing to collaborate, including entering into required agreements and sharing project outcomes.

Who is eligible?

Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 employees
For-profit, innovation-driven enterprises using or developing technology innovation
Companies engaged in research and development and/or manufacturing related to 5G technology

Who is not eligible

Companies that are not incorporated in Ontario or Canada.
Businesses that do not have a valid CRA business number.
Companies with more than 500 employees in Ontario.
Organizations that do not have operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project.
Applicants that do not have an arms-length relationship with the defined ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner.

Eligible expenses

Salaries and benefits of staff and contractors directly involved in the project.
Operating costs that support achieving project milestones.

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Selection criteria

Relevance and responsiveness to the ENCQOR 5G anchor firm's Challenge Statement and needs.
Demonstration of innovation and benefit to 5G technology, contributing to new or improved processes, products, or services for the iPaaS testbed.
Expertise, experience, and collaborative capacity of the project team.
Clarity, feasibility, and suitability of the project plan and budget.
Potential for commercialization and economic benefit for Ontario, including measurable deliverables such as new technologies, job creation, or skills development.

How to apply

Identify active Challenge Statement

Review current Challenge Statements posted on the OCI website
Sign up for the ENCQOR 5G Ontario mailing list for updates
Ensure your project aligns with an active Technology Development Challenge Statement

Submit Expression of Interest

Start the application process by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in response to a Challenge Statement
Contact an OCI Business Development Manager (BD) for guidance
Access OCI’s online application system (AccessOCI) after BD confirmation

Complete EOI application

Complete the EOI form on AccessOCI with required project details
Seek clarification from OCI or ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm if needed
Consult sample EOI forms and OCI’s Knowledge Base for support

EOI review and invitation

Undergo internal EOI review by OCI for eligibility and completeness
EOI is reviewed by ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm for fit with Challenge Statement
Final decision by OCI Internal Review Panel to invite full application

Prepare full application

Receive invitation to submit a full application in AccessOCI
Execute Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
Begin drafting the Statement of Work with Anchor Firm partner
Obtain Letter of Interest from Anchor Firm using set template

Submit full application

Complete online full application forms in AccessOCI
Attach supporting documents including CVs and Letter of Interest
Consult sample full application form and Knowledge Base for support

Obtain endorsement and submit

Request application endorsement from OCI Business Development Manager at least one week before the deadline
Submit endorsed application in AccessOCI
Application undergoes internal review for eligibility and completeness

Await funding decision

Application is assessed by OCI’s Subject Matter Director and Internal Review Panel
Funding decision is communicated to the applicant

Execute Anchor Firm Agreement

Upon approval, execute the Anchor Firm Agreement with the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
Finalize Statement of Work and IP terms
Anchor Firm provides documentation to OCI

Sign funding agreement

Sign the OCI/Innovation ENCQOR trilateral funding agreement
Project is activated and status updated in AccessOCI

Additional information

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are posted and accepted on a rolling basis for a minimum of four weeks per Challenge Statement.
Applicants must complete all required interim and final project reports to maintain good financial standing with OCI.
Annual metrics and retrospective surveys may be required up to three years after project completion to assess program impact.
OCI does not claim or manage any intellectual property rights; IP is managed by the project participants.

Contacts

NLobo@oc-innovation.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.