INVEST North Program: Innovation Stream
Get up to 50% reimbursement for R&D and commercialization costs in Northern Ontario, with support up to $2 million. You must pay upfront and secure approval before spending. Applications are open.
“The Innovation Stream supports the research, development and commercialization of new and innovative technologies in Northern Ontario.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Approval must come before you spend; money spent early usually does not count toward the grant.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a private-sector business based in or operating in Northern Ontario.
- You are developing new technology, products, or processes and need to cover technical labour, prototyping, or testing costs.
- You can wait for formal approval before starting work and have the cash flow to pay eligible costs upfront.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are outside Northern Ontario or your labour costs are incurred outside the region.
- You need funding for general operating expenses, working capital, land, or regular staff wages.
- You have already started the project or spent money before getting written approval from NOHFC.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $500,000 for R&D-only projects or $2 million for combined/commercialization projects.
What may be supported
- Prototyping and engineering design services.
- Product testing and certification.
- Intellectual property protection costs.
- Building renovations specifically for commercialization.
- Trade show assistance and marketing material design (up to 20% of costs).
What's excluded or restricted
- Projects intended for internal efficiency purposes only
- Land
- Working capital
- Administrative or other indirect operating costs
- Labour costs for any person that owns 10% or more of the applicant business
- In-kind contributions
- Business Plans
- Travel, accommodation and meeting costs
- Office equipment and furnishings
- Vehicles
- Commercial land, industrial land and building development
How applying works
Effort: involvedRequires a detailed technical application, proof of IP rights for commercialization, and strict tracking of eligible vs excluded costs.
- 01Create an account on the NOHFC Portal.
- 02Select the Innovation Stream from the program list.
- 03Prepare your technical proposal, including IP rights proof if commercializing.
- 04Submit your application for R&D, Commercialization, or a combined project.
- 05Wait for Board approval before starting any work or spending money.
- 06Track all eligible costs carefully for reimbursement after project completion.
Who to ask: https://nohfc.ca/en/pages/contact-us
Documents commonly required
- Detailed project proposal with technical labour and prototyping cost breakdowns.
- Proof of IP rights or patent registration for commercialization projects.
- Evidence of partnership with academic/research institutions if applicable.
- Financial statements or cash flow projections to show ability to pay upfront.
- Confirm specific document requirements on the official page.
What to know before you count on it
- You pay the full cost first and get reimbursed later, so you need strong cash flow.
- The grant portion is generally taxable income; ask your accountant.
- If you sell assets bought with this funding within three years, you may have to repay NOHFC.
- Labour costs for owners with 10%+ stake are usually excluded unless you are a sole proprietor with special approval.
What are your odds?
Funding is conditional and budget-limited; apply early as the pool can run out mid-year even if you qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this for regular staff wages?
No. Only direct internal technical labour costs for the project are eligible. Regular operating wages are excluded.
Does the funding cover marketing?
Yes, but only for demonstration/commercialization projects and limited to 20% of total eligible project costs.
What happens if I sell the equipment later?
You may be required to reimburse NOHFC if assets financed by the grant are sold within the first three years after project completion.
Is there an application fee?
The official page does not list an application fee. Ask NOHFC before you apply.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
Combined federal and provincial funding cannot exceed 75% of eligible project costs.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.