Closed
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program
Money for innovation and commercialization enhancement
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Receive funding to cover up to 50% of eligible project costs to demonstrate the potential of your business to create jobs, grow the economy, reach new markets, expand sales, innovate and create new products and services.
/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
- Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Market Growth & Expansion projects, including trade shows, branding, market research, sales plans, and label design.
- Product Development projects, including prototyping, software development, trial testing, and product certifications.
- Productivity Enhancement projects, including business strategy, intellectual property protection, export development, and lean manufacturing improvements.
Documents Needed
- Two contractor quotes.
- Selected contractor details.
- Project cost breakdown.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Innovative, growth-oriented for-profit companies.
- Businesses operating full-time.
- Companies developing, commercializing, or scaling innovative products or processes.
Who is not eligible
- Restaurants, wholesalers, distributors, and re-sellers.
- Not-for-profits and municipalities.
- Hobby and part-time businesses.
- Businesses at the idea stage.
Eligible expenses
- Third-party contractor and vendor costs.
- Costs for market growth, product development, and productivity improvement projects.
- Prototype, software, certification, branding, and research-related costs.
- Trade show and associated travel costs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- On-going operational costs, including staff wages and internal project costs.
- Food and beverage costs while traveling.
- Promotional giveaways and branded merchandise.
- Tradeshow and travel costs for Northern Ontario Pavilions funded by FedNor.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nipissing.
- Timiskaming.
- Parry Sound.
- Muskoka.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed monthly by an external selection committee.
- Applicants are notified by email after the review.
- Approved applicants must register as an IION client.
- A reimbursement claim is submitted after project completion with final invoices and proof of payment.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed monthly by an external selection committee.
- Companies may access the funding twice, for independent projects.
- Approved applicants must complete a mandatory SFEP survey and annual survey.
- Applicants must register as an IION client if approved.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program Program
What is the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program?
Receive funding to cover up to 50% of eligible project costs to demonstrate the potential of your business to create jobs, grow the economy, reach new markets, expand sales, innovate and create new products and services.
How much funding can be received?
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program program?
To be eligible for the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program program, you must:
For-profit innovative company.
Operating in IION districts.
Growth-oriented business model.
What expenses are eligible under Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program?
Market Growth & Expansion projects, including trade shows, branding, market research, sales plans, and label design.
Product Development projects, including prototyping, software development, trial testing, and product certifications.
Productivity Enhancement projects, including business strategy, intellectual property protection, export development, and lean manufacturing improvements.
Who can I contact for more information about the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program?
You can contact Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) by email at emily@iion.ca.
Where is the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program available?
The Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program is a Grant and Funding