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thriveFORWARD - Ontario - Canada
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thriveFORWARD

Innovation funding for southern Ontario businesses
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC)
Nventure
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
  • Closing date : December 31, 2023
Location
Ontario, Canada

Overview

thriveFORWARD provides up to $25,000 in matching non-repayable funding for start-ups and up to $100,000 for SMEs. It supports the commercialization or adoption of innovation in southern Ontario, with a focus on growth, jobs, cleantech, digital adoption and critical sectors.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 100,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Closing date : December 31, 2023

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Health care and social assistance
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
  • From $ 100,000 to $ 100,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
  • 500 employees maximum
Audience
  • Startups

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Commercialization of innovation
  • Adoption of innovation by a start-up or SME
  • Projects using cleantech or digital adoption to improve competitiveness and resilience
  • Projects in critical sectors such as agri-food, biotech/medtech, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, and deeptech

Documents Needed

  • Business registration documents
  • Financial statements and interim financial information
  • Project summary and rationale
  • Key personnel information
  • Supporting documents such as a pitch deck, business plan, or backgrounder

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Start-ups
  • SMEs
  • Technology-driven companies
  • Innovation-driven businesses

Who is not eligible

  • Businesses not located in southern Ontario
  • Companies not registered as for-profit incorporated businesses, partnerships, or cooperatives
  • Start-ups formed before January 1, 2020

Eligible expenses

  • Expertise-related project costs
  • Capital costs tied to the project
  • Non-capital costs tied to the project

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Land, building, or vehicle purchases
  • Refinancing, depreciation, amortization, interest, bond discount, losses, bad debts, fines, penalties, litigation, and lobbyist fees
  • Fees for administrators, including board members, and individual professional memberships
  • Regular maintenance, ongoing operating costs, wages, hospitality, and entertainment
  • Costs not directly related to the eligible project or incurred outside the eligible period

Eligible geographic areas

  • Southern Ontario

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed after submission and only complete applications are considered
  • Eligibility is confirmed, then the full application is assessed competitively
  • Additional due diligence may be carried out
  • Applicants may be asked to pitch or meet with the Investment Committee
  • Applicants are notified in writing of the decision

Additional information

  • Applications were reviewed competitively and only complete applications were considered.
  • Nventure may request supporting evidence for any claim made in the application.
  • Successful applicants may be listed publicly and subject to visibility requirements.
  • Recipients must maintain general liability and property damage insurance during the investment term.

Documents and links

thriveFORWARD

Contacts

none
none

Frequently Asked Questions about the thriveFORWARD Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the thriveFORWARD. 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 thriveFORWARD?

thriveFORWARD provides up to $25,000 in matching non-repayable funding for start-ups and up to $100,000 for SMEs. It supports the commercialization or adoption of innovation in southern Ontario, with a focus on growth, jobs, cleantech, digital adoption and critical sectors.

How much funding can be received?

thriveFORWARD Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the thriveFORWARD program?

To be eligible for the thriveFORWARD program, you must: Registered for-profit business Located in southern Ontario Early-stage or SME profile

What expenses are eligible under thriveFORWARD?

Commercialization of innovation Adoption of innovation by a start-up or SME Projects using cleantech or digital adoption to improve competitiveness and resilience Projects in critical sectors such as agri-food, biotech/medtech, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, and deeptech

Who can I contact for more information about the thriveFORWARD?

You can contact Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC) by email at none or by phone at none.

Where is the thriveFORWARD available?

The thriveFORWARD program is available the province of Ontario.

Who are the financial supporters of the thriveFORWARD?

thriveFORWARD is funded by Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC), Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev), Nventure

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