PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Business Scale-Up and Productivity

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

Based on the BSP program guidelines, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. These include:

• Companies that are not incorporated in Canada
• Companies that have been in business for less than 2 years in Canada
• Companies that do not have staffed operating facilities in the Prairie provinces
• Companies that do not have confirmed funding from all other sources, including government and non-government, representing at least 50% of the proposed project costs
• Companies that do not fall under the high-growth business category as defined by the program

Eligible expenses

This grant supports high-growth businesses in activities that propel productivity, scale-up, and commercialization of technology on the Prairies. Eligible projects focus on improving processes, expanding markets, and commercializing technological advancements.

• Acquiring, adapting, and adopting new technologies and processes.
• Implementing process re-engineering initiatives.
• Enhancing manufacturing capacity to improve productivity.
• Developing or expanding markets to support business scale-up.
• Adopting best management practices, processes, and systems.
• Exploring and developing new business opportunities.
• Advancing technology commercialization through late-stage product development.
• Showcasing and demonstration of technologies to grow and diversify markets.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies operating within the Prairie provinces in Canada. The eligible areas are aligned with PrairiesCan's objective to foster regional economic growth.

• Companies operating in Alberta.
• Companies operating in Saskatchewan.
• Companies operating in Manitoba.

There are some additional relevant details for applicants to consider when applying for this grant:

• The grant offers interest-free, repayable funding, meaning it must be repaid, but without interest charges.
• There is a repayment grace period of one year post-project completion, followed by equal monthly repayments over five years.
• Early repayment of the grant is allowed without any penalties.
• Applicants are required to demonstrate confirmed funding from non-government sources covering at least 50% of the proposed project costs at the time of EOI submission.
• Non-government sources of funding can include current bank statements, confirmed/conditional funding letters, and signed term sheets, but not forecasted revenues or commitments to raise future capital.
• The expression of interest (EOI) stage acts as a preliminary filter, with only those advancing being invited to submit a detailed full application.
• Applications are assessed not only on eligibility but also on alignment with departmental/regional priorities and economic benefits.
• A preference is given to proposals focusing on specific areas such as food and ingredients processing, zero-emission heavy equipment vehicles, and critical minerals processing.