SDTC - Scale Up Funding
Canada
Funding catalyst for emerging sustainable technology companies in Canada
grant_single|update March 18, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The SDTC (Sustainable Development Technology Canada) grant program aims to fund promising sustainable technology development and demonstration projects that have significant environmental benefits, such as reducing GHG emissions, minimizing water consumption, and reducing contamination. Eligible activities include advancing technology development and/or demonstration required to secure the first paying customer, with a focus on economic viability and market validation.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant offers structured financing modalities designed to support the commercialization and scaling of Canadian sustainable technologies. The funding is structured to maximize impact while ensuring compliance with financial stipulations.
- Average funding covers 33% of eligible project costs, with typical contribution amounts ranging from $2 million to $4 million.
- Funding is a non-repayable contribution, meaning recipients do not have to repay the amount provided.
- Funds are disbursed over the project period, up to five years, aligned with specific milestones outlined in a Contribution Agreement.
- Approval of funding requires a private-sector contribution of at least 25% of eligible project costs and limits total government support to no more than 75%.
- At least 50% of eligible project costs must be incurred in Canada.
- Payments are advanced at the start of each milestone, minus a 10% holdback, which is released upon completion and approval of final project reports.
- Contribution Agreements include mandatory reporting on deliverables and financial audits to secure the release of funds.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports high-growth companies advancing sustainable technologies that deliver scalable environmental benefits. Eligible projects must focus on further development, risk mitigation, and validation of technology's economic viability.
- Continued development and demonstration of sustainable technologies that are pre-commercial and have been tested beyond proof-of-concept.
- Projects that demonstrate a potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or minimize water and soil contamination.
- Initiatives that enhance the economic performance and market readiness of innovative technologies.
- Validation activities that address technology risk and confirm the economic viability for first market entry.
- Partnerships with consortium partners for market validation and technology uptake.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 600,000
Development of a water recycling system to minimize industrial water consumption
$ 400,000
Development of a biodegradable plastic to reduce GHG emissions
$ 750,000
Deploy waste-to-energy conversion technology in urban settings
$ 500,000
Develop solar panels for cold climate efficiency testing
$ 425,000
Implementation of solar-powered air purifiers to reduce urban air pollution
$ 350,000
Development of air purification technology to reduce urban air pollution
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant requires companies to meet several criteria to be eligible for funding.
- Your company must be Canadian-owned.
- You must define a project that may further your innovation along the pathway of commercialization.
- Your innovation must deliver quantifiable, significant, and scalable environmental benefits.
- Your innovation must have a strong end-user value proposition.
- You must have a commercialization partner identified that can validate the market need for your innovation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Small to medium-sized Canadian-owned companies with innovative technologies that offer significant and scalable environmental benefits, and have a strong end-user value proposition, are eligible for funding under SDTC. These projects should involve further development towards commercialization, which includes working with a consortium partner to validate the market need.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.
- Non-Canadian companies.
- Technologies that deliver economic benefits without substantial environmental benefits.
- Research projects.
- Deployment of commercialized technologies (e.g., solar/wind farms).
- Purchase of proven technology from another jurisdiction for use in Canada.
- Incremental modifications to existing technologies or processes.
- One-off projects to reduce emissions at a specific site.
- Majority-owned Canadian subsidiaries of foreign multinational enterprises.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The eligible expenses for the SDTC grant focus on costs directly connected to the project's development, technology advancement, and economic viability assessment.
- Development costs associated with advancing the technology towards commercialization.
- Expenses related to demonstrating economic viability and environmental benefits of the technology.
- Costs incurred within Canada for the project must account for at least 50% of eligible costs.
- Eligible project costs should include at least 25% private-sector contribution.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This funding is exclusively available to Canadian-owned companies, as per the eligibility criteria for SDTC Scale Up funding.
- Organizations must be based in Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives, although point scores are not explicitly mentioned in the provided context.
- Technological development stage beyond proof-of-concept but pre-commercialization.
- Potential for significant environmental benefits, such as reducing GHG emissions or minimizing water consumption.
- Technological risk mitigation and demonstration of economic viability.
- Strong market validation with a consortium partner representing the target customer.
- Feasibility to continue the technology development towards commercialization.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Confirm your company is Canadian-owned and the innovation brings significant and scalable environmental benefits.
- Ensure you have a commercialization partner to validate the market need for your innovation.
- Step 2: Application Preparation
- Download and review the "How To Apply" booklet from the SDTC website.
- Ensure your project aligns with SDTC's eligibility, costs, and evaluation criteria.
- Step 3: Initial Application Submission
- Download the application template available on the SDTC portal.
- Complete the application template with detailed information about your project.
- Submit the application through the SDTC application portal.
- Step 4: Presentation Invitation
- If eligible, prepare to present your project through a video conference with SDTC experts.
- Step 5: Due Diligence
- If your application is preliminarily approved, submit a detailed proposal via the online portal.
- SDTC staff will conduct a due diligence visit to your project site.
- Step 6: Project Review and Approval
- The Project Review Committee will evaluate your detailed proposal.
- Recommended projects move to the SDTC Board of Directors for final approval.
- Step 7: Contribution Agreement
- If your project is approved, work with SDTC to prepare a Contribution Agreement.
- Step 8: Project Funding and Implementation
- Receive funds as per the milestone schedules in the Contribution Agreement.
- Report on technical deliverables and project expenses at each milestone.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
SDTC funding typically includes non-repayable contributions for projects that meet specific eligibility criteria, with the goal of advancing the development and commercialization of sustainable technologies in Canada.
- Funding is on average 33% of eligible project costs, with contributions typically ranging from $2 million to $4 million, disbursed over up to five years.
- Projects must have a minimum of 25% private-sector funding and cannot have total government funding exceeding 75% of eligible project costs.
- Projects must incur at least 50% of eligible project costs within Canada.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and involve a multi-step process with checkpoints and coaching.
- The recipient is required to acknowledge SDTC funding in press releases and public statements about the project.
- Post-project completion, recipients must complete an annual questionnaire for five years to track the success of the technology in the market.
grant_single_labels|contact
applications@sdtc.ca
(343) 804-0691
