Not a direct-apply program
capital is deployed by an independent, private-sector General Partner into Ontario investment opportunities
Services
Protect Ontario Account Investment Fund
Ontario strategic investment fund (up to $4 billion of provincial seed capital) managed by a best-in-class private investment manager, structured as a commercial market fund to crowd in pension-fund and other institutional capital for new-economy investments in high-growth industries and to reduce dependence on U.S. trade relationships.
Overview
Ontario strategic investment fund (up to $4 billion of provincial seed capital) managed by a best-in-class private investment manager, structured as a commercial market fund to crowd in pension-fund and other institutional capital for new-economy investments in high-growth industries and to reduce dependence on U.S. trade relationships.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | investment |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | Ontario |
| Administrator | Province of Ontario (Ministry of Finance) partnering with a private-sector General Partner |
| Budget | $4,000,000,000 |
| Intake status | Competitive process underway to select a private investment manager; fund structure being established |
| Non-US bias | Explicitly aims to increase independence from U.S. trade relationships and reduce exposure to external economic uncertainty |
Eligibility
Priority areas
artificial intelligence, defence, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, biotechnology, and research and development in the critical minerals sector
Ontario acts as founding and significant Limited Partner anchoring a large private-market fund of domestic and global institutional capital
What it covers
Pipeline of investment opportunities that advance Ontario's long-term economic and strategic priorities
New-economy investments in high-growth industries (AI, defence, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, biotechnology, critical minerals R&D)
Investments that enhance productivity, create jobs, reinforce domestic supply chains, and attract capital from multiple sources
Market and diversification rules
Operates as a commercial market fund with capital deployed by an independent private-sector General Partner
Province retains a prominent Limited Partner position to ensure investments deliver a clear benefit to Ontario taxpayers
Leverages the provincial seed commitment to crowd in Canadian pension-fund capital and other major investors to multiply total fund size
How to apply
This is a fund structure rather than a direct grant or loan application program
Ontario has initiated a competitive process to select a private investment manager to act as General Partner
Businesses seeking investment should monitor announcements of the selected manager and the fund's deployment approach
Stacking notes
Fund is distinct from but complementary to other Protect Ontario supports (e.g. POFP working-capital loans)
Province invests up to $4 billion from the Protect Ontario Account to anchor the fund
Notes
Builds on the Protect Ontario Account announced in the 2025 Budget and the 2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review
Established in the 2026 Ontario Budget; seed capital up to $4 billion
Part of Ontario's nearly $30 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses announced since April 2025
Designed to diversify Ontario's economy, enhance productivity, and reduce exposure to external economic uncertainty
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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