Innovation Growth Program

Insider Tip

The IGP explicitly targets businesses that do NOT qualify for other Manitoba provincial programs — so if you've been turned down elsewhere, this may be your fit. The key to a winning application is a credible commercialization story: don't pitch a research project, pitch a product that's ready to scale. Have confirmed non-government funding secured BEFORE you apply (letters from investors, customers, or BDC required). The panel weights go-to-market readiness heavily — show you have equipment, distribution, and customers lined up, not just a concept. Stacking with SR&ED is a major advantage: SR&ED is explicitly excluded from the 50% government funding cap, so you can claim both without cannibalizing your non-government match requirement.

Rejection Pitfalls 11

• Not a CCPC (sole proprietors, partnerships, non-profits ineligible)
• Revenue over $15 million or more than 100 FTE employees
• Less than $25,000 in cash equity invested in the business

Success Profile

Manitoba-incorporated CCPC with a specific innovation product or process ready for commercialization scale-up (not early-stage R&D). Typically: 5-50 employees, $500K-$10M revenue, demonstrated market opportunity, confirmed customer interest or Letters of Intent, $200K+ total project budget, and non-government co-funding already secured. Technology, manufacturing, and agri-tech sectors dominate recipients. Companies that have already de-risked the technology (prototype exists) and are now funding certifications, market expansion, or commercial-scale production perform best. Export potential is highly valued — multiple recipients highlighted projected export sales in the millions.

Evaluation Criteria

Panel reviews six dimensions: (1) Project quality — genuine novelty, de-risked technology, realistic 1-year scope; (2) Market opportunity — real market size, identified customers, LOIs or POs; (3) Management capacity — technical and business execution credibility; (4) Commercialization plan — specific go-to-market, named channels/customers, path to first commercial sales; (5) Investment secured — confirmed non-government co-funding in writing; (6) Manitoba benefits — job creation, payroll growth, export potential.

Application Steps

Required Documents 11

Eligible Expenses 7

• IP registration legal fees (patent filing, trademark registration, copyright)
• Commercial prototype design and construction (production-ready units, not lab bench prototypes)
• Tools and moulds for commercial production
• Third-party testing and product certifications
• Third-party advisory services (technical consultants, engineers, regulatory advisors)
• B2B trade show attendance for distributor recruitment
• New Manitoba employee salaries directly working on the innovation project (capped at 50% of total IGP funding — max $50,000)

Ineligible Expenses 14

• Advertising and promotional marketing
• Land and buildings
• Equipment and machinery (capital assets)
• Inventory
• Owner/principal salaries
• Primary R&D (basic or applied research — commercialization stage only)
• Website development
• Business registration costs
• Entertainment and hospitality
• Shipping and freight
• Memberships and dues
• Financing charges and interest
• Business plan development
• Productivity improvement activities (Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization)

Intake Periods

Quarterly intakes approximately January, April, July, and October. No fixed published annual schedule — check program website or contact Economic Programs Branch for current intake window. Based on news release patterns, 9–15 companies funded per round.

Deadline Notes

Applications reviewed quarterly. June 2025 announcement referenced 'next intake deadline: June 30.' Prior intake closed December 15, 2024. Program does not run on a fixed published annual schedule — check official page for current intake window.

Ineligible Organizations

• Sole proprietors and partnerships (must be an incorporated company — CCPC)
• Non-profit organizations
• Companies with revenue over $15 million or more than 100 FTE employees
• Companies with less than $25,000 in cash equity invested in the business
• Companies that qualify for other Government of Manitoba financial assistance programs
• Companies outside Manitoba

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

Moderate. 6-year agreement creates ongoing monitoring and reporting obligations. Funds used for ineligible purposes are recoverable. Significant scope deviations without prior approval can trigger recovery action. 5-year post-completion performance reporting is required.