thriveFORWARD
grant_single|update February 28, 2025
ON, Canada
Money for technology and industrial companies in Southern Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDate January 1, 2022
- grant_single|closingDate November 25, 2022
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
- Nventure
- Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The thriveFORWARD initiative, supported by FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada's Jobs and Growth Fund, offers non-repayable funding to start-ups and SMEs in southern Ontario, with maximum amounts up to $100,000 for SMEs and $25,000 for start-ups to support innovation commercialization and adoption in critical sectors. Eligible activities focus on clean inclusive growth, including the commercialization of novel technology solutions and digital project enhancements.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Approved startups receive non-repayable performance-based funding matching up to $25,000 in certified incremental private investment, provided that minimum project leverage is 1:1, with funds released based on satisfactory achievement of major milestones.
- Approved SMEs are eligible for non-repayable performance-based funding covering 50% of eligible and approved costs, capped at $100,000, with a minimum project leverage ratio of 1:1.
- Recipients must maintain General Liability and Property Damage insurance throughout the project, and provide certificates of insurance upon request.
- No Recipient can have more than one approved thriveFORWARD contribution agreement simultaneously.
- Ineligible costs include land, building, or vehicle purchase; refinancing; depreciation; goodwill; interest; administrative fees to the Recipient’s Board; and lobbying fees, among others.
- All costs must be reasonable, directly related to eligible project activities, and not incurred after December 31, 2023.
- Projects are assessed based on a competitive scoring system covering growth, job impacts, green initiatives, sector criticality, and inclusion, each contributing equally to a total score of 100 points.
- Funding decisions are made by NCFDC and are not guaranteed; program availability is subject to funding continuity.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Commercialization of innovation by startups and SMEs.
- Adoption of an innovation by startups and SMEs in critical sectors.
- Investing in clean inclusive growth initiatives.
- Transitioning businesses to a green economy.
- Enhancing business resilience and competitiveness.
- Creating jobs across southern Ontario.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 90,000
Developing AI-based crop monitoring systems
$ 40,000
Creating a digital literacy program for underserved communities
$ 70,000
Improving waste management processes with smart technology
$ 75,000
Introducing green energy solutions for residential buildings
$ 85,000
Establishing a digital health platform for remote patient monitoring
$ 55,000
Launching an eco-friendly packaging solution for small businesses
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be a registered for-profit incorporated business, partnership, or cooperative.
- The business must be located in southern Ontario.
- For startups, the business must be formed on or after January 1, 2020, and be at the pre-revenue/prototype stage to early commercialization stage.
- For SMEs, the business must have fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
- SMEs must have $100,000 to $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada during its last complete tax reporting year (or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers).
- Startups must provide proof of non-government-sourced private investment of at least $25,000 as of April 19, 2021.
- Projects must involve the commercialization of innovation or the adoption of an innovation.
- Projects must prioritize critical sectors, diverse organizations, or equity-deserving entrepreneurs investing in clean inclusive growth.
- Startups and SMEs must be transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, or creating jobs across southern Ontario.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in southern Ontario.
- Technology-driven, early-stage companies formed on or after January 1, 2020.
- Businesses involved in clean technology, digital technology, and green projects.
- Companies in critical sectors such as food production, medical supplies, or bio-manufacturing sectors.
- Diverse organizations and equity-deserving entrepreneurs focused on clean inclusive growth.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There is no specific information provided regarding types of companies or industries that cannot apply for this grant. Restrictions are not clearly detailed, focusing instead on eligibility requirements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Expertise directly related to the project activities.
- Capital expenditures directly related to the project activities.
- Non-capital costs directly related to the project activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Brant
- Bruce
- Chatham-Kent
- Dufferin
- Durham
- Elgin
- Essex
- Frontenac
- Grey
- Haldimand-Norfolk
- Haliburton
- Halton
- Hamilton
- Hastings
- Huron
- Kawartha Lakes
- Lambton
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Lennox and Addington
- Middlesex
- Niagara
- Northumberland
- Ottawa
- Oxford
- Peel
- Perth
- Peterborough
- Prescott and Russell
- Prince Edward
- Renfrew
- Simcoe
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
- Toronto
- Waterloo
- Wellington
- York
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Future-proofing, Resilience and Business Growth: Assessment of viability and impact of proposed project outcomes in terms of business growth, resiliency/future-proofing, scale-up/market expansion, increased sales (domestic and/or foreign), supply chain adaptation, market diversification and other activities that contribute to sustainable economic growth. (20 Points)
- Job Impacts: Consideration of the number of FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) jobs the project will create and/or maintain in Southern Ontario. (20 Points)
- Going Green or Digital Technology Adoption: Investing in adoption of advanced technology, with prioritization of cleantech or digital adoption (such as cybersecurity readiness, productivity enhancement, operational resilience). (20 Points)
- Critical Sectors: Projects within or impacting food production, medical supplies or bio-manufacturing sectors. (20 Points)
- Priority Client Pathways for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Businesses owned or majority-led by underrepresented groups or businesses with a diverse workforce and progressive diversity and inclusion policies. (20 Points)
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Applicants can only have one approved thriveFORWARD contribution agreement at a time.
- General Liability and Property Damage insurance must be obtained and maintained by recipients for the duration of the project.
- The application periods for both the Start-up Stream and SME Stream are currently closed; specific dates for reopening are not provided.
- Projects selected are based on competitive selection following eligibility determination and a comprehensive review process.
- Confidential information from the application process may be shared with the Government of Canada and projects are publicly listed on the NCFDC website.
- ThriveFORWARD maintains emphasis on equitable geographic distribution of funding across Southern Ontario.
- Information security is enhanced through NCFDC's subscription to Covalence Field Effect, a managed service for protection.
- Success metrics from the first round of thriveFORWARD are available in an Impact Report.
- Projects funded must be incremental and novel as of April 19, 2021.
- Ineligible costs include regular maintenance, ongoing operational expenses, well as interest on invested capital and wages for board members.
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