Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Strategic Investments
Get up to $75,000 in cost-share funding to expand your NWT business and create local jobs. You must secure approval before spending and contribute 20% to 30% of project costs yourself.
Before you spend any money
Approval must come before spending; do not start work or incur costs until your application is approved.
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 an NWT-based business planning a large expansion that directly creates local jobs.
- You have secured or can secure funding from sources outside the Government of Northwest Territories.
- Your project aligns with regional economic plans, especially if it involves technology or innovation.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not based in the Northwest Territories.
- You cannot show that your project will directly increase local business activity or employment.
- You cannot contribute the required equity of 30% for Group 1 communities or 20% for Group 2 communities.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $75,000, depending on project size and your required equity contribution.
What may be supported
- Large business expansions that increase local economic activity
- Projects that directly result in increased local employment
- Investments in technology and innovation (priority status)
- Projects consistent with Department strategies or regional economic development plans
What's excluded or restricted
- Projects that do not directly increase local business/economic activity.
- Projects that do not directly result in increased local employment outcomes.
- Projects that do not leverage funding sources outside the GNWT.
- Projects inconsistent with Department strategies or regional economic development plans.
- Applications containing deceit, falsehood, or dishonesty, including withholding information that could materially affect the outcome.
- Applications where the applicant has offered or been asked to provide a benefit to a GNWT employee/official or family member to influence the outcome.
- Applications where the applicant has used or attempted to use threats or intimidation to influence the outcome.
How applying works
Effort: involvedYou must contact your regional Economic Development Officer to discuss your idea before developing the proposal, complete a detailed application form, and attach all required documents.
- 01Contact your regional Economic Development Officer to discuss your idea prior to developing your proposal (strongly recommended).
- 02Ensure your project meets all eligibility criteria, including leveraging outside funding and creating local employment.
- 03Complete the SEED Application Form.
- 04Attach all required documents identified in the application checklist.
- 05Submit the completed application form to your regional office.
Who to ask: Regional Offices: Beaufort-Delta (867-678-8023), Dehcho (867-695-7500), Sahtu (867-587-7171 ext. 1001), South Slave (867-872-8046), North Slave Yellowknife (867-767-9212), North Slave Behchokǫ̀ (867-446-1049). Phone Directory: http://rdirectory.gov.nt.ca/rDirectory.aspx
Documents commonly required
- SEED Application Form
- The other documents on the application checklist (ask your regional officer for the full list)
- Evidence of leveraged outside funding
- Project Start/End dates
What to know before you count on it
- You must provide significant equity: 30% of project costs if you are in Group 1 communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik) or 20% if in Group 2 communities (all other NWT communities).
- You must also bring in funding from sources outside the Government of Northwest Territories. This program does not fund a project on its own.
- Priority is given to technology and innovation projects when funding is limited, which may disadvantage traditional expansion projects.
- The official page does not say whether you are paid up front or paid back after you spend. Ask the program office before you apply.
What are your odds?
When funding is limited, technology and innovation projects get priority. You must meet with ITI before you submit, to check that your project fits.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay this money back?
The official page does not say whether this money must be repaid. Ask your regional officer before you apply.
When can I apply?
You can apply at any time of year. The program year runs from April 1 to March 31. Confirm the current status with your regional Economic Development Officer.
What is the equity requirement?
You must contribute 30% of project costs if you are in Group 1 communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik) or 20% if in Group 2 communities (all other NWT communities).
Can I apply if I am not investing in technology?
Yes, but priority is given to applications investing in technology and innovation when funding limitations require prioritization.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
This program requires funding from outside sources, so it is meant to be combined with other loans or grants, for example a Prosper NWT loan or investment. Ask your regional officer which sources count.
Related programs
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.