Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative (RRBDI)

• 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

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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.