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Source verified July 11, 2026
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program
Money for innovation and commercialization enhancement
Latest source updateLast Update: July 11, 2026Latest change: The Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program now shows a new $2,500 funding level and adds an explicit exclusion for projects involving Artificial Intelligence.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 11, 2026
Latest change: The Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program now shows a new $2,500 funding level and adds an explicit exclusion for projects involving Artificial Intelligence.
SFEP funding and AI eligibility updated
The Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program application and program page now show a new $2,500 grant level with a minimum project spend of $5,000, alongside the existing $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 tiers. The program also adds an explicit rule that projects involving Artificial Intelligence are ineligible, and software development is excluded when it involves AI because those costs are redirected to Ignite AI. The application instructions were also revised with clearer “How to proceed” wording, including save and submit guidance, and the expenditure instruction now says to total costs at the bottom.
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
Open continuously
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.
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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
Funds Providers
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 show attendance or exhibiting, branding, market research, sales plans, and label design.
- Product Development projects, including prototyping, software development that does not involve Artificial Intelligence, 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.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Innovative, growth-oriented for-profit companies.
- Companies registered and operating in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, or Muskoka.
- Companies seeking to develop, commercialize, or scale an innovative product or process.
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 other internal project costs.
- Pre-diems and food & beverage costs when traveling.
- Giveaways, such as business cards, pens, notebooks, branded merchandise, or company-branded clothing.
- Tradeshow and travel costs when participating in Northern Ontario Pavilions funded by FedNor, including the Royal Winter Fair, PDAC, and CIM.
- Any projects involving Artificial Intelligence; these costs fall under the Ignite AI program.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nipissing.
- Timiskaming.
- Parry Sound.
- Muskoka.
Selection criteria
- Innovation and novelty of the business.
- Potential for job creation and revenue growth.
- Fit with market expansion, product development, or productivity improvement goals.
- Measurable business results.
How to apply
- Contact Emily Ryan to discuss the eligibility of your company and project(s).
- If your company and project(s) are deemed eligible, Emily will send you the application.
- Complete the application online, including all required quotes, and submit it.
- Applications are accepted throughout the month, with the last business day serving as the monthly intake deadline.
- Applications must be submitted before any project expenses are incurred.
- The SFEP committee will review your application within the first 14 days of the following month, and you will receive an email with the decision after the review.
Processing and Agreement
- The SFEP committee will review applications within the first 14 days of the following month.
- Once the review is complete, IION will email the decision.
- Approved companies must register as an IION client.
- IION will process one reimbursement at the end of the project, after the company has paid the contractor invoices and submitted a claim with final invoices and proof of payment.
- Companies will be reimbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) upon receipt of the claim.
- Successful applicants must complete a mandatory SFEP survey and a mandatory annual survey.
Additional information
- If you received SFEP funding in one of the past program iterations, contact Emily to discuss eligibility.
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:
Innovative, growth-oriented for-profit companies.
Companies registered and operating in IION's service districts.
Companies with a business model and strategy that validates forecasted sales and employment growth.
What expenses are eligible under Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program?
Market Growth & Expansion projects, including trade show attendance or exhibiting, branding, market research, sales plans, and label design.
Product Development projects, including prototyping, software development that does not involve Artificial Intelligence, 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 or by phone at none.
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