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Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous
Financing for Indigenous businesses and organizations in Southern Ontario
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : November 1, 2023
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Access funding to increase production capacity, develop new products, services, solutions, or provide support and services for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : November 1, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous supports a variety of projects designed to boost economic development and capacity building among Indigenous communities in southern Ontario. The eligible activities focus on enhancing production, developing new products, and fostering business and community growth.
- Increase production capacity, purchase and install equipment.
- Develop new products, services, or solutions.
- Access services or expertise necessary to complete projects.
- Participate in trade shows, business functions, or other market development activities.
- Strengthen business, management, and marketing capacity.
- Attract and develop workers.
- Invest in businesses in your region and provide financial support to advance community interests.
- Provide services for Indigenous businesses, such as access to capital, networking, and mentoring opportunities.
- Enable First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples’ participation in new or growing sectors.
- Offer services to support a skilled workforce among Indigenous businesses.
- Increase technical and managerial capacity of Indigenous businesses.
- Develop new tools, technology, products, services, or systems for Indigenous economic development.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, economic development corporations (IEDCs), and not-for-profit organizations or associations in southern Ontario.Eligible expenses
This grant supports initiatives aimed at fostering economic development and increasing Indigenous participation in the economy of southern Ontario. Eligible projects are focused on capacity building, enhancing services, and investing in infrastructure for Indigenous businesses and organizations.
- Increase production capacity, purchase and install equipment for Indigenous businesses or IEDCs.
- Develop new products, services or solutions for the market.
- Access necessary services or expertise to complete projects.
- Participate in trade shows, business functions or other market development activities.
- Strengthen business, management and marketing capacities.
- Attract and develop a skilled workforce.
- Invest in businesses in the region and provide financial support to advance community interests.
- Provide services such as access to capital, networking, and mentoring for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Promote participation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in new or growing sectors.
- Offer services to support a skilled workforce in Indigenous businesses.
- Increase technical and managerial capacity of Indigenous businesses.
- Develop new tools, technologies, products, services, or systems for economic development.
Eligible geographic areas
Funding is provided to qualifying Indigenous businesses and organizations located within specific areas of southern Ontario. Eligibility is determined based on geographical alignment with FedDev Ontario's mandate.
- Brant
- Bruce
- Chatham-Kent
- Dufferin
- Durham
- Elgin
- Essex
- Frontenac
- Grey
- Haldimand–Norfolk
- Haliburton
- Halton
- Hamilton
- Hastings
- Huron
- Kawartha Lakes
- Lambton
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Lennox and Addington
- Middlesex
- Niagara
- Northumberland
- Ottawa
- Oxford
- Peel
- Perth
- Peterborough
- Prescott and Russell
- Prince Edward and Lambton
- Renfrew
- Simcoe
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
- Toronto
- Waterloo
- Wellington
- York
Selection criteria
- Projects must be in southern Ontario - Projects must benefit Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, economic development corporations (IEDCs), or not-for-profit organizations or associations - Projects must align with the funding objectives outlined in the grant information - Projects must demonstrate a clear plan on how the funding will be used to achieve the desired outcomes - Projects must show potential for economic development and positive impact on Indigenous communities - Projects must meet the full eligibility requirements outlined by FedDev Ontario for Indigenous businesses and organizations
How to apply
1
Initial Contact
- Reach out to the dedicated team at FedDev Ontario via email at .
- Discuss your project idea and objectives related to economic development.
2
Consultation
- Engage in a conversation with FedDev Ontario officers to understand the available programs and services.
- Clarify eligibility requirements and potential funding opportunities for your project.
3
Develop Proposal
- Based on guidance received, prepare a detailed project proposal explaining the scope and goals.
- Gather any necessary documentation as suggested during your consultation.
4
Submit Proposal
Submit your detailed project proposal to the FedDev Ontario team via the contact email provided.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- FedDev Ontario proudly acknowledges its head office is on land traditionally occupied by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral Peoples, highlighting the importance of Indigenous stewardship over the land.
- Beyond individual projects, FedDev Ontario is actively involved in supporting Indigenous economic ecosystems through collaborative efforts like the Aboriginal Impact Capital and partnerships with national Indigenous organizations.
- FedDev Ontario supports initiatives that prioritize and foster the success of Indigenous women's businesses through targeted funding programs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous Program
What is the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous?
Access funding to increase production capacity, develop new products, services, solutions, or provide support and services for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
Who is eligible for the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous program?
To be eligible for the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous program, you must:
Applicants must be Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, or economic development corporations (IEDCs).
Not-for-profit organizations or associations serving Indigenous communities also qualify.
Organizations must be located in the southern Ontario region covered by FedDev Ontario's mandate.
What expenses are eligible under Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous?
The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous supports a variety of projects designed to boost economic development and capacity building among Indigenous communities in southern Ontario. The eligible activities focus on enhancing production, developing new products, and fostering business and community growth. Increase production capacity, purchase and install equipment.
Develop new products, services, or solutions.
Access services or expertise necessary to complete projects.
Participate in trade shows, business functions, or other market development activities.
Strengthen business, management, and marketing capacity.
Attract and develop workers.
Invest in businesses in your region and provide financial support to advance community interests.
Provide services for Indigenous businesses, such as access to capital, networking, and mentoring opportunities.
Enable First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples’ participation in new or growing sectors.
Offer services to support a skilled workforce among Indigenous businesses.
Increase technical and managerial capacity of Indigenous businesses.
Develop new tools, technology, products, services, or systems for Indigenous economic development.
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous?
You can contact Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) by email at indigenous-autochtones@feddevontario.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-553-5507.
Where is the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous available?
The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous?
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Indigenous is funded by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)