The Province of Ontario is positioning itself to be a leader in the development of clean technologies, commonly referred to as “cleantech”. Funds generated from the Ontario provincial cap and trade program will be reinvested into ‘green economy’ businesses, or those exploring new ways to reduce carbon emissions. This is a contributing factor in the…
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) recently committed close to $1.5M in federal investments to promote greater innovation and competitiveness within northern Ontario. On October 28, 2016, FedNor announced that it would provide up to $1,488,972 in Ontario government funding to support the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. The Innovation Centre provides…
Eastern Ontario government funding is supporting the expansion of four growing businesses. The selected manufacturers will create a total of 76 new jobs, while retaining an additional 137 for the region among other key benefits of their projects. On October 13, 2016, Premiere Kathleen Wynne announced that the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) will invest…
Energy efficiency is creating new opportunities for innovative, solution-oriented Canadian businesses. Across the world, consumers are demanding energy-efficient systems to replace old, outdated ones; this is especially true with building and property management. Although equipment and machinery located within buildings is becoming more sophisticated, the system used to deliver power has remained relatively unchanged. This…
Among all of the crops produced by Canadian farmers, apples and greenhouse tomatoes generate some of the highest revenues. In 2015 alone, Canadian agriculture farmers earned over $230 million from apple sales and nearly $830 million from greenhouse tomatoes, each boasting strong domestic and international sales. However, pests and bacteria can pose a threat to…
Eagle Graphite Inc. is a producer and processor of high-carbon flake graphite. The company’s graphite mine, located in British Columbia, provides high-quality flake graphite, which is commonly used to create advanced composite materials. Graphite has uses such as aerospace and automotive parts, sports equipment, and alternative-energy fuel cells. The ability to manipulate this material in…
In order for Canada to become internationally competitive in the automotive industry, our nation must become leaders in product and process improvements. Leveraging knowledge-based resources such as skilled labourers, researchers, and state-of-the art equipment will help Canadian firms to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. Thankfully, the Government of Canada supports automotive industry competitiveness by offering…
BioAmber Inc. is a Montreal-based manufacturer of renewable biochemicals including bio-succinic acid, a building block chemical made from corn syrup. The company uses naturally-occurring sugars found in plant matter and transforms them into clean, green chemicals. Some of the products made from biochemical compounds include food flavour and additives, personal care products, adhesives, paints, and…
The Western Innovation Initiative (WINN) is a research and development funding program for small businesses located in western Canada. Companies operating in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba may apply for up to 50% of their project’s expenses to a maximum $3.5 million in repayable funding contributions. Innovative businesses use this fund to lead their…
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) is a small business grant providing businesses with grants to train their employees. Companies can offset third-party training costs by up to 66%, enabling employers to develop a more skilled workforce. As of June 2016, more than $29 million in funding has been claimed by Canada-Alberta Job Grant applicants. Over…