Open
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII)
Funds for innovative SMEs in southern Ontario
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000 - $ 500,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Access interest-bearing loans between $150,000 and $500,000 to support the scale-up of your high-growth, innovative SME.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 150,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
This grant is designed to support high-growth Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Southern Ontario by providing financial investment for innovation-related endeavors. The eligible projects and activities focus on commercializing innovations, developing new products or services, expanding into new markets, and implementing advanced processes or technologies.
- Late stage commercialization of products or services.
- Development of new products or services to enhance market offerings.
- Exploration and penetration of new applications or markets.
- Implementation and development of new processes or technologies to increase efficiency and innovation.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) loan program targets high-growth, innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in both rural and urban communities across southeastern Ontario. Specifically, both late-stage commercialization projects and new product or service developments are supported under this program, making it ideal for companies looking to expand or innovate their offerings.Eligible expenses
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) supports high-growth SMEs in rural and urban communities by offering loans to boost innovation and expansion. Eligible projects for this funding focus on various stages of development and technology enhancement in businesses.
- Late stage commercialization of products or services.
- Development of new products or services.
- Exploration of new applications or markets for existing products.
- Development or implementation of new processes or technologies.
Eligible geographic areas
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) is available for high-growth SMEs in both rural and urban centers of southeastern Ontario. Companies operating in the following regions are eligible to apply.
- South Lake
- Kawartha Lakes
- Haliburton
- Greater Peterborough
- Northumberland
- North & Central Hastings & South Algonquin
- Trenval
- Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington
- Renfrew
- Frontenac
- Valley Heartland
- 1000 Islands
- Grenville
- Prescott-Russell
- Cornwall & the Counties
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The SOFII program operates as an interest-bearing loan fund rather than a non-repayable grant.
- The loans are structured to be repayable at any time without penalties, offering flexibility to businesses.
- The SOFII Rural initiative offers special incentive terms to rural communities within southeastern Ontario to encourage economic growth.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII)?
Access interest-bearing loans between $150,000 and $500,000 to support the scale-up of your high-growth, innovative SME.
How much funding can be received?
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) program?
To be eligible for the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) program, you must:
The applicant must be a high-growth Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) in Southern Ontario.
The business should be involved in an innovative sector, focusing on areas such as commercialization, new product or service development, or new market applications.
What expenses are eligible under Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII)?
This grant is designed to support high-growth Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Southern Ontario by providing financial investment for innovation-related endeavors. The eligible projects and activities focus on commercializing innovations, developing new products or services, expanding into new markets, and implementing advanced processes or technologies. Late stage commercialization of products or services.
Development of new products or services to enhance market offerings.
Exploration and penetration of new applications or markets.
Implementation and development of new processes or technologies to increase efficiency and innovation.
Who can I contact for more information about the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII)?
You can contact Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO).
Where is the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) available?
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) is a Loans and Capital investments
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