The Investing in Business Innovation (IBI) small business loans program was created as part of the $530 million Southern Ontario Prosperity Initiatives (SOPIs). Provided through the Federal Agency of Economic Development for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), IBI provides funding for early stage businesses to commercialize new, innovative products and processes. For many businesses overcoming technology…
An article recently published in The Hamilton Spectator identified the Ontario automotive sector as lacking leadership and on the verge of a decline. Although the Ontario industry was a top global contender, manufacturers of vehicles and automotive components in Ontario are facing downward pricing pressures from developing nations with low labour rates, and consumer preferences…
The National Research Council (NRC) is an organization which is funded and administered by the Government of Canada. As the country’s premier research and development institution, the National Research Council enhances Canadian industry by conducting research and enabling new technologies to come to market. Their staff of scientists, engineers, and business experts seek to improve…
Since 2012, the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) has allowed businesses and inventors the ability to bolster their innovative technologies by selling and testing them with the Canadian government. This first procurement program enables businesses to overcome pre-commercialization gaps and use the government as their first possible customer and testers of their technology. BCIP…
The food and beverage industry across Ontario is rapidly changing and must adapt to handle many unique challenges. At the forefront of these challenges is water scarcity which will continue to become a larger problem for the sector in years and decades to come. BLOOM, an organization dedicated to managing risk and delivering economic, environmental…
Innovation Factory is a Regional Innovation Centre (RIC) which assists startups and SMEs in the Greater Hamilton Area by helping them bring innovation to market and get their business to the ‘next level’ of excellence. Startups as well as established businesses can benefit from Innovation Factory’s resources which help to strategically build innovation into their…
Editor’s Note: Since this article’s posting, TECTERRA funding programs have been re-launched to provide enhanced support. For details of these new funding streams, visit Mentor Works’ TECTERRA program page. TECTERRA, a publically funded Geomatics industry association, provides Geomatics businesses in Alberta with Canadian government funding through a range of small business grants. TECTERRA helps businesses…
Business innovation in Canada has remained stalled in comparison to other developed and developing nations. The Canadian government has invested nearly $25 billion in federal government grants, loans, and tax incentives between 2006 and 2014 to support innovation in Canada, however this strong funding support is still evolving to be better utilized by industry. Compared…
In the wake of a new report which comments on Canadian firms falling behind with innovation despite receiving funding support, The Canadian government continues to modify and improve upon established research and development funding initiatives to maximize their support of innovation. However there is always a risk with R&D. Even the most promising of projects…
Following the late 2014 launch of the CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth grant program, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) association has unveiled their new additive manufacturing network, Canada Makes. As the largest industry and trade associate in Canada, CME provides support services, resources, and incentives to ensure that Canadian manufacturers stay competitive both…