Growing and established for-profit businesses, co-operatives and Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) businesses located and operating in southern Ontario
Services
FedDev Ontario Business Scale-up and Productivity
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) program providing interest-free, unconditionally repayable contributions of normally $125,000 to $10 million per project, up to 50% of eligible project costs, to incorporated for-profit businesses in southern Ontario. Supports scaling up or expanding into new markets, launching new products, integrating into global value chains, adopting productivity technologies and commercialization. Delivered as the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream of the national REGI program; the former 'Investing in Business Growth and Productivity' (IBGP) initiative was its predecessor.
Overview
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) program providing interest-free, unconditionally repayable contributions of normally $125,000 to $10 million per project, up to 50% of eligible project costs, to incorporated for-profit businesses in southern Ontario. Supports scaling up or expanding into new markets, launching new products, integrating into global value chains, adopting productivity technologies and commercialization. Delivered as the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream of the national REGI program; the former 'Investing in Business Growth and Productivity' (IBGP) initiative was its predecessor.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | repayable contribution (interest-free) |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Southern Ontario |
| Administrator | Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Min per project | $125,000 |
| Max per project | $10,000,000 |
| Project size | $125,000 - $10,000,000 |
| Intake status | Open - FedDev Ontario is accepting applications on an ongoing basis |
| Non-US bias | No US-specific restriction; helps firms break into new markets and integrate into global value chains |
| Employees | $5 - $500 |
Eligibility
Incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario for at least the past 3 years
Minimum of 5 and no more than 500 full-time equivalent employees
Not-for-profit organizations whose primary focus is supporting SMEs are eligible under a related stream (non-repayable)
Project must demonstrate broad, long-term economic benefit for southern Ontario
What it covers
Scaling up or expanding business lines to tap into new markets or reach new customers
Launching new products or services
Integrating into domestic and global value chains and supply chains
Adopting new technologies, digitization and process improvements to boost productivity
Commercialization of innovative products
Reshoring or onshoring of production, R&D mandates and highly qualified personnel
Capital costs such as equipment, machinery and facility upgrades directly tied to the project
Market and diversification rules
Maximum rate of support normally 50% of eligible project costs; preference is given to projects where FedDev's share is below 50%
Repayment normally begins 1 year after project completion; no penalty for early repayment
Funding is not intended to replace available commercial financing or other sources
How to apply
Review the eligibility and funding-parameters pages and the Application Guide on the FedDev Ontario website
Contact FedDev Ontario (info@feddevontario.gc.ca or 1-866-593-5505) for guidance
Submit a complete application through the FedDev Ontario online portal
Work with FedDev staff during assessment; projects normally span 1 to 3 years
Stacking notes
No published stacking cap; applicants must maximize funding from other (including non-government) sources
Disclose all government and non-government funding sources for the project
Notes
BSUP and the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) stream together form the 'Funding for businesses in southern Ontario' offer; FedDev determines the appropriate program on the applicant's behalf
The 'Investing in Business Growth and Productivity' (IBGP) initiative was the pre-REGI name under the Southern Ontario Prosperity Initiatives
FedDev reports recipient firms outperform comparables, including +40% export growth
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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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.
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