thriveFORWARD
At a glance
- Max. $100,000
- 50% of project cost
- Open Date : July 26, 2022
- Closing date : June 09, 2023
- All industries
- Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation
Overview
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for this grant include:
- Startups and SMEs in Southern Ontario are eligible for thriveFORWARD.
- "Startup" refers to an early-stage technology-driven company formed on or after January 1, 2020, located in Southern Ontario, and at a pre-revenue/prototype stage to early commercialization stage.
- "SME" refers to a registered industrial for-profit business with fewer than 500 FTE employees and annual revenue between $100,000 to $100 million in Canada.
Who is eligible
Based on the information provided, both startups and SMEs (small- and medium-sized Enterprises) are eligible for the thriveFORWARD initiative.
- Startup: Early-stage technology-driven companies formed on or after January 1, 2020, located in southern Ontario, and at the pre-revenue/prototype stage to early commercialization stage.
- SME: Industrial for-profit businesses with fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees, located in southern Ontario, and annual revenue of $100,000 to $100 million declared in Canada.
Eligible expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible expenses include:
- Expertise
- Capital
- Non-capital
Eligible projects & activities
There are eligible projects and activities for this grant:
- Commercialization of innovation or adoption of innovation by a startup or SME
- Prioritizing critical sectors, diverse organizations, and equity-deserving entrepreneurs investing in clean inclusive growth
- Projects focusing on cleantech, green projects, digital projects, and innovation in Southern Ontario
- Investing in advanced technology, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs
Eligible geographic areas
There are specific geographic areas mentioned for this grant:
- 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
Evaluation & selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria focus on future-proofing, resilience, business growth, job impacts, going green or digital technology adoption, critical sectors, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Future-proofing, Resilience and Business Growth (20 Points)
- Job Impacts (20 Points)
- Going Green, or Digital Technology Adoption (20 Points)
- Critical Sectors (20 Points)
- Priority Client Pathways: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (20 Points)
How to apply
- Step 1: Create an account and submit your full online application. There are different application portals for each stream: Start-up Stream and SME Stream.
- Step 2: Prepare all required documentation including business information, financial information, project summary and rationale, key personnel details, and any other relevant documentation.
- Step 3: For Startups, provide proof of non-government-sourced Private Investment of at least $25,000 and associated documentation.
- Step 4: Submit the complete application for review by NCFDC.
- Step 5: Funding decisions will generally be made within 30 days from the submission of a complete application.
Grant Summary:
The thriveFORWARD initiative by NCFDC supports startups and SMEs in southern Ontario with funding for innovation projects, promoting clean technology, digital solutions, and diversity. Eligible participants can receive non-repayable funding to drive economic growth and job creation.
Grant Details:
The thriveFORWARD initiative offers financial support to startups and SMEs in southern Ontario to accelerate industrial investment in innovation capital. Startups and SMEs meeting the eligibility criteria can access funding for projects that focus on clean technology, digital solutions, and diversity and inclusion. The program aims to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and foster innovation in critical sectors. Funding decisions are based on various criteria, including the impact on business growth, job creation, technology adoption, and commitment to diversity. The initiative is part of the Jobs and Growth Fund supported by FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada.
