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Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI)
Fast market access support for Ontario agri-businesses
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
March 1, 2027
Opened June 22, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Ontario-based businesses in the agri-tech, agriculture, and agri-food sectors
See full eligibility
Overview
The Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) provides up to $10,000 for Ontario-based legal businesses in the agri-tech, agriculture, and agri-food sectors to respond quickly to emerging market opportunities and secure sales. Eligible support covers travel, accommodations, and meals, along with related shipping and intellectual property fees.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Business development activities that can lead to new sales, partnerships, business agreements, and market access opportunities
- Travel and associated costs required to work with clients where there is a high potential to close the deal with real and established business connections
- Commercialization of innovative products, processes, technologies, services, or new markets
Documents Needed
- A completed project report and expense claim table
- Copies of all invoices and receipts for eligible expenses
- Proof of payment for all claimed expenses, such as credit card statements, bank records, or cancelled cheques
- Any additional information requested by AAC to verify project activities and expenses
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
RRBDI intake, eligibility and portal updated
RRBDI now shows a June 22, 2026 to March 1, 2027 intake, a new SmartSimple portal, expanded applicant categories, and revised claims instructions.
RRBDI now shows the 2026–2027 intake open from June 22, 2026 until March 1, 2027, with claims due no later than six weeks after the project end date and eligible expenses incurred between June 22, 2026 and February 28, 2027. The page also adds a new AAC Application Portal at https://adaptcouncil.smartsimple.ca/, step-by-step application and claims instructions, and support by email plus 1-800-769-3272. Eligibility and scope were revised to use 2026 applicant categories with an 80% allocation for Agri-Tech and Agriculture businesses and 20% for agri-food businesses, while the scope now explicitly includes services and new markets and emphasizes time-sensitive opportunities. The guidelines file was also replaced with a June 2026 version, while the funding amount remains up to $10,000 and reimbursement remains at 100%.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based businesses in the agri-tech, agriculture, and agri-food sectors
- Legal entities
Who is not eligible
- Businesses outside Ontario
- Businesses not operating as legal entities
- Applicants without prior business contact for the opportunity
- Applicants who received GRAS funding in the past two years
Eligible expenses
- Transportation, including Base Economy airfare, seat selection and baggage check, taxis, train travel, public transportation, car rental including gas, personal vehicle mileage if used as primary mode of transportation at a rate of $0.63 per km, mileage to and from the airport at a rate of $0.63 per km, airport shuttle service, travel insurance, parking, tolls, and entry visas
- Accommodations, including hotel parking
- Hospitality meals directly related to business development activities, preapproved, and supported by a description, list of attendees, and purpose
- Shipping costs directly related to the business development activities and identified meeting; meal per diems as per the current National Joint Council Travel Directive; and consultant fees directly related to travel requirements for the business development activities, such as translator or region guide
- Intellectual property expenses including registration and licensing fees directly required to commercialize the product, process or technology for the identified market opportunity
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Tradeshow attendance/booth space and Trade Mission registration fees
- Expenses incurred by non-business-related individuals, or anyone not named in the application; any costs paid by cash without proper proof of payment
- Cost of Doing Business items (photocopying, office supplies, gifts, wifi, cellphone coverage, manufacturing, etc.) and marketing/promotional materials
- Alcohol; in-room movies/laundry service; personal items (toiletries, cell phone, etc.); salaries
- Any costs realized prior to the project approval date, except for prepaid airfare and accomodation
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- Wellington County
- Waterloo County
- Perth County
Selection criteria
- Innovation and tangible benefits to the broader agriculture industry
- Regulatory barriers addressed, if any
- Immediate or longer-term potential of the opportunity is significant
- The costs and activities appear appropriate to address the company’s sales requirement, and funding has an incremental impact on achieving the applicant’s sales objectives
- The applicant uses the existing network, such as trade commissioners, is sufficiently aware of the financing required to grow the company, and priority may be given to immediate and time-sensitive opportunities to secure sales, partnerships, or market access
How to apply
- Submit the application through the AAC Application Portal at https://adaptcouncil.smartsimple.ca/ and ensure all required information is complete and accurate at the time of submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are screened for applicant eligibility and application evaluation criteria.
- Applicants will be notified of the funding decision within three business days of submitting a complete application and responding to any additional questions regarding the application.
- Successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement.
- Approved applicants must pay project expenses upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement after eligible expenses have been incurred and their travel completed.
- Reimbursement claims must be submitted through the AAC Application Portal no later than six weeks following the project end date; AAC may request additional documentation and adjust reimbursement amounts for ineligible, unsupported, or inconsistent expenses, and projects delayed longer than twelve weeks may be asked to withdraw and reapply if the intake remains open.
Additional information
- Eligible businesses are classified by applicant category based on primary business activity and primary source of revenue.
- Businesses operating across multiple categories are assigned to a single category based on the activity that generates the majority of their revenue.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) Program
What is the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI)?
The Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) provides up to $10,000 for Ontario-based legal businesses in the agri-tech, agriculture, and agri-food sectors to respond quickly to emerging market opportunities and secure sales. Eligible support covers travel, accommodations, and meals, along with related shipping and intellectual property fees.
How much funding can be received?
Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) program?
To be eligible for the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) program, you must:
Ontario-based legal business in the agri-tech, agriculture, or agri-food sectors
Prior contact and interaction with another organization or company, with a high potential to close business agreements
Innovative opportunity requiring timely action and no other more appropriate funding mechanism available
What expenses are eligible under Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI)?
Transportation, including Base Economy airfare, seat selection and baggage check, taxis, train travel, public transportation, car rental including gas, personal vehicle mileage if used as primary mode of transportation at a rate of $0.63 per km, mileage to and from the airport at a rate of $0.63 per km, airport shuttle service, travel insurance, parking, tolls, and entry visas
Accommodations, including hotel parking
Hospitality meals directly related to business development activities, preapproved, and supported by a description, list of attendees, and purpose
Shipping costs directly related to the business development activities and identified meeting; meal per diems as per the current National Joint Council Travel Directive; and consultant fees directly related to travel requirements for the business development activities, such as translator or region guide
Intellectual property expenses including registration and licensing fees directly required to commercialize the product, process or technology for the identified market opportunity
Who can I contact for more information about the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI)?
You can contact Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) by email at admin@adaptcouncil.org or by phone at 1-800-769-3272.
Where is the Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) available?
The Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI) program is available the province of Ontario.