Venture Development Grant
Alberta-based, high-growth potential technology ventures constituted as for-profit corporations or eligible partnerships and registered in Alberta.
Overview
The Venture Development Grant supports focused, milestone-based work that helps high-growth Alberta technology ventures validate assumptions, reduce uncertainty and prepare for customers, commercialization and investment. One application covers three funding levels: Explore ($10,000–$50,000; 1–12 months), Bridge ($50,001–$100,000; 1–18 months), and Grow ($100,001–$150,000; 1–18 months). Applications are accepted continuously and assessed competitively.
At a glance
Funding available
- No objectives are currently available
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Alberta
- For-profit business
- $ 49,999,999 maximum revenue
- 249 employees maximum
- All groups
Next Steps
Availability timeline
Activities funded
Customer discovery, market validation, pilot-user engagement and adoption testing; prototype development, testing, technical validation, demonstrations and field trials; pricing validation, commercialization planning and channel testing; IP strategy, prior-art and freedom-to-operate work; regulatory and compliance activities; specialized expertise; capital strategy, investment-readiness materials and financial modelling. Work must address a defined readiness gap and produce reviewable evidence through measurable milestones.
Documents Needed
Capitalization table with ownership and geographic information; balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement for the last three completed fiscal years or years available; current-year interim financial statements; pro forma forecast with assumptions (12 months for Explore; 36 months for Bridge/Grow); Lean Canvas at minimum for Explore or a business plan for Bridge/Grow. Include supporting evidence of innovation readiness.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Alberta-based, high-growth potential technology ventures constituted as for-profit corporations or eligible partnerships and registered in Alberta.
Who is not eligible
Businesses with 250 or more employees or annual revenue of CAD $50 million or more are ineligible. Applicants cannot have an active Venture Development Grant or an active project under Voucher, Micro-Voucher, Digital Traction, r&D Associate, Commercialization Industry Associate, International Technology Partnership or Product Demonstration. Applicants without the required Alberta presence, evidence, financial capacity or cash contribution do not qualify.
Eligible expenses
Reasonable direct project labour and materials; arm’s-length subcontractors and specialized expertise; approved direct operating costs; critical specialized equipment and software or databases prorated to the grant period where accepted; unrecoverable GST on eligible expenses; data-based marketing strategy for customer discovery, excluding implementation. Costs must relate directly to approved work and comply with the Investment Agreement and Appendix B.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
General working capital, routine operations and overhead, broad sales and general promotion; costs incurred before the agreed start or signing unless specifically approved; related-party transactions; debt interest, investment losses, fines and penalties; professional training; land and buildings; routine accounting, tax or legal requirements unrelated to the project; grant application fees; routine testing and maintenance; entertainment, hospitality, alcohol and gifts; travel, mileage, airfare, accommodation and meals; unrelated advertising and marketing implementation. See Appendix B for complete restrictions.
Eligible geographic areas
Alberta, Canada. Meaningful operational presence and expected economic benefits in Alberta are required.
Selection criteria
Competitive review considers strategic fit and benefit to Alberta; customer need, differentiation and commercial opportunity; evidence of readiness and a clear next step; realistic milestones; and team capacity, financial resources, budget, risks and expected impact. Eligibility does not guarantee funding.
How to apply
Read the official guide and assess eligibility. Apply through Alberta Innovates’ SmartSimple portal. Provide company and innovation details, an evidence-supported IRL self-assessment, activities and milestones, requested funding level, budget and cash contribution. Upload required ownership, financial and planning documents, then submit. Alberta Innovates reviews eligibility and completeness, assesses the application and communicates its decision. Successful applicants agree milestones, reporting and the Investment Agreement with a Grant Advisor.
Processing and Agreement
Applications are accepted continuously and reviewed in batches. No guaranteed turnaround is stated. Incomplete applications do not proceed. An executed Investment Agreement is required before payments begin.
Additional information
This grant consolidates six previous startup and SME programs into one application. Existing signed legacy agreements continue under their existing terms. A Technology Development Advisor may be assigned where there is strategic fit. Official guide: https://albertainnovates.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Venture_Development_Grant_Guide_Alberta_Innovates_Oct2026.pdf. Questions: smeprograms@albertainnovates.ca.
Contacts
