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PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems
Support for business growth in British Columbia
Latest source updateLast Update: October 4, 2026Latest change: PacifiCan extended the Regional Innovation Ecosystems application deadline to October 30, 2026, and noted that applicants who already applied do not need to re-apply.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 4, 2026
Latest change: PacifiCan extended the Regional Innovation Ecosystems application deadline to October 30, 2026, and noted that applicants who already applied do not need to re-apply.
Application deadline extended
PacifiCan extended the Regional Innovation Ecosystems application deadline from September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT to October 30, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT. The page also says applicants who already applied do not need to re-apply. A July 21, 2026 information session recording was added to the page.
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
October 30, 2026
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Not-for-profit organizations that support businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs in British Columbia
See full eligibility
Overview
The Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program supports business growth in British Columbia through non-repayable contributions. It funds not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and other eligible recipients to deliver business supports, commercialization, productivity improvement and market development activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase operational productivity
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Technology commercialization
- Productivity improvement
- Market development and diversification
- Ecosystem development and business support
- Business acceleration
Documents Needed
- A completed application submitted in the portal
- A detailed project cost breakdown entered in the RIE Project Cost Detailing Sheet
- Externally reviewed financial statements for at least 2 complete years
- A listing of project funding from all non-PacifiCan sources, with evidence of confirmed funding for each confirmed source
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations that support businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs in British Columbia
- For-profit entities only if they are Indigenous, part of a consortium, and/or their project's benefits are broadly distributed
- Legal entities capable of entering into a legally binding agreement
- Industry associations
- Municipalities or other municipal-type organizations
Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Post-secondary educational institutions, Business Accelerator and Incubators, angel networks, Indigenous organizations, social enterprises, a group of eligible recipients such as an industry association or consortium, and municipalities are eligible, while for-profit companies are not eligible.
- For-profit companies
Eligible expenses
- Wages and benefits
- Purchase of machinery and equipment
- Operating costs directly related to the project, such as management fees or working capital
- Travel costs, such as trade missions to support commercial demonstrations or export sales
- Consultancy fees, intellectual property costs, subcontracting costs, and specialized services such as testing, research and development, technical or innovation services
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land and building acquisition
- Allowance for interest on debts
- Entertainment
- Refinancing of an existing debt
- Costs incurred before the project funding start date
Eligible geographic areas
The Regional Innovation Ecosystems program is specific to British Columbia and supports designated not-for-profit organizations and their initiatives. The funding aims to enhance and develop regional innovation across the province.
- British Columbia, Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with PacifiCan priorities
- Measurable economic benefits for British Columbians and Canadians
- Strong market or industry demand
- Effective governance and an established management team
- Share of private investment relative to government assistance
How to apply
- Review the eligibility requirements
- Review the applicant guide
- Complete the Project cost detailing sheet
- Contact PacifiCan with any questions
- Submit your application and supporting documents through the online application portal
Processing and Agreement
- PacifiCan reimburses successful projects through claims submitted by the funding recipient
- Successful applicants will receive detailed instructions on the reimbursement process
- Funding recipients must submit regular progress reports and financial statements throughout the project
Additional information
- PacifiCan's service standard is to provide a funding decision within 90 business days of receiving a complete funding proposal for 90% of applications.
- Successful applicants will sign a standard Contribution Agreement with PacifiCan.
- Funding recipients must submit regular progress reports and financial statements throughout the project, from implementation to the final results report.
- PacifiCan may request Global Affairs Canada to conduct trade risk assessments as needed, and the results contribute to PacifiCan decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems Program
What is the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems?
The Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program supports business growth in British Columbia through non-repayable contributions. It funds not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and other eligible recipients to deliver business supports, commercialization, productivity improvement and market development activities.
How much funding can be received?
PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 30, 2026.
Who is eligible for the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems program?
To be eligible for the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems program, you must:
The applicant must support businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs in British Columbia.
For-profit entities may only be eligible if they are Indigenous, part of a consortium, and/or their project's benefits are broadly distributed.
Applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
What expenses are eligible under PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems?
Technology commercialization
Productivity improvement
Market development and diversification
Ecosystem development and business support
Business acceleration
Who can I contact for more information about the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems?
You can contact Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan).
Where is the PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems available?
The PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems program is available the province of British Columbia.