Businesses in Atlantic Canada including sole proprietorships, partnerships, social enterprises, incorporated companies, corporations and co-operatives
Services
ACOA REGI - Business Scale-up and Productivity
ACOA stream under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program that invests in Atlantic Canadian businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate growth, scale up, and enhance productivity and competitiveness in domestic and global markets. Provides unsecured, interest-free, repayable contributions (up to about 50% of eligible costs) for commercialization, market development and expansion, integration in global value chains, technology adoption and productivity improvement.
Overview
ACOA stream under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program that invests in Atlantic Canadian businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate growth, scale up, and enhance productivity and competitiveness in domestic and global markets. Provides unsecured, interest-free, repayable contributions (up to about 50% of eligible costs) for commercialization, market development and expansion, integration in global value chains, technology adoption and productivity improvement.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant (interest-free repayable contribution) |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Atlantic Canada (NB, NL, NS, PE) |
| Administrator | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Intake status | Open - continuous intake; discuss with your regional ACOA office |
| Non-US bias | Market development and expansion into new domestic and global markets; diversification is an explicit objective |
Eligibility
Indigenous-owned businesses and all other types of enterprises
Non-profit organizations that provide services to businesses to support scale-up or market expansion
What it covers
Commercialization, market development and expansion
Market diagnostics, market development and expansion
Late-stage product development for market diversification and growth
Integration in global value chains
Technology demonstration, adoption and adaptation; assessing and acquiring new technologies or processes
Process re-engineering, productivity improvement, increasing or improving manufacturing capacity
Business management, building high-performance teams, best management practices, governance and investment readiness, business opportunity development
Market and diversification rules
Contributions are repayable, unsecured and interest-free; repayment schedule and conditions are set in the contribution agreement
Cost sharing typically up to 50% of eligible costs for for-profit businesses; non-profit recipients may receive higher rates
Multi-year projects are considered
How to apply
Contact the ACOA Business Information Service (1-888-576-4444) or your nearest ACOA office to discuss the project
Complete and submit the application for financial assistance
Stacking notes
Applicants must disclose all other sources of government funding; total government assistance is considered in the assessment
Notes
REGI was introduced in Budget 2018 ($370M over five years nationally across regional development agencies); delivered by ACOA in Atlantic Canada
REGI has two streams
Business Scale-up and Productivity (business-facing) and Regional Innovation Ecosystems (supports non-profit networks and accelerators)
Complements the Business Development Program, which funds establishment, expansion, modernization and trade activities
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call