INVEST North — Innovation Stream
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Conditional contribution of up to 50% of eligible R&D and commercialization costs for applied research, demonstration, and commercialization of new technologies in Northern Ontario. R&D-only projects max $500K; combined R&D/commercialization projects max $2M.
Eligibility Requirements
- Private-sector business operating in Northern Ontario (lead applicant and funding recipient)
- Public-private partnerships allowed; academic/research institution may be a partner but private sector must lead
- Project must involve applied R&D, demonstration, or commercialization of new/innovative technologies
- Labour costs eligible only for direct technical staff performing work in Northern Ontario
- Regular operating wages and compensation for owners with 10%+ equity stake are not eligible
- Combined federal and provincial government funding may not exceed 75% of eligible project costs
- Project must demonstrate innovation as defined by NOHFC guidelines
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $2,000,000 (50% of eligible costs; $500K cap for R&D-only projects)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win INVEST North — Innovation Stream
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipNOHFC evaluates projects against a specific definition of 'innovation' — incremental product improvements often don't qualify.
Success Profile
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application steps not yet documented.
Required Documents 8
Deadline Notes
Applying for INVEST North — Innovation Stream? Our Financial Projections Model ($29) covers the cost-share, matching-fund, and cash-flow math reviewers want to see. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Unknown RiskHow INVEST North — Innovation Stream Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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