Invest North Program
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Provides grants and loans of up to $5 million to support economic development projects in Northern Ontario, including business expansion, innovation, and community development.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business or organization must be located in Northern Ontario
- Grow stream (up to $1M): business expansion, innovation projects, or community economic development
- Locate stream (up to $5M): projects that relocate or establish operations in Northern Ontario
- Open to a wide range of sectors and business stages
- Must demonstrate positive economic impact for Northern Ontario communities
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $1,000,000 (Grow stream) or up to $5,000,000 (Locate stream)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Quarterly Grow stream: Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31 (next: Jul 31, 2026); other streams rolling
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win Invest North Program — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 10 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 10-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- 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
Applying for Invest North Program? 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) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipBook a consultation call with a NOHFC advisor (1-800-461-8329) before applying — they'll tell you which stream fits and whether your project is competitive. Lead your application with Northern Ontario job creation numbers, not just the project description. FedNor NODP can be stacked on the same project within the combined government funding cap (50%), effectively doubling your support. Grow stream quarterly deadlines are firm — missing one means a 3-month wait.
Rejection Pitfalls 10
- Retail or consumer service business (explicitly excluded)
- Hotel/motel accommodation (excluded; destination resorts may qualify)
- Beverage alcohol manufacturing (distillery, brewery, winery, cidery — excluded)
Success Profile
Established Northern Ontario manufacturer, technology company, or professional services firm (2+ years operating, non-retail) seeking capital to expand capacity or enter new markets. Has matching financing confirmed. Can clearly quantify 3–10+ FTE jobs created or retained. Strong community/economic benefit narrative for Northern Ontario.
Evaluation Criteria
Northern Ontario job creation and retention (quantified FTEs are the primary evaluation driver), business financial viability (historical financials plus projections), matching financing confirmed (bank letter required), project strategic significance and transformative impact, management track record, community and sector economic benefit narrative.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 10
Eligible Expenses 6
- building construction and leasehold improvements
- equipment purchases
- IT and communications infrastructure
- land development related to expansion
- product marketing (capped at 20% of eligible costs or $75,000)
- workforce training from third-party providers (capped at 20% of eligible costs)
Ineligible Expenses 8
- working capital
- ongoing maintenance
- in-kind contributions
- business restructuring or refinancing
- land purchase or lease
- licensed vehicles
- food service ventures
- operating costs
Intake Periods
Grow stream: competitive quarterly rounds — April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31. Locate and Innovation streams appear rolling. Apply early within each quarter to allow time for completeness review.
Deadline Notes
Launch/Locate/Innovation streams appear rolling. Grow stream has competitive quarterly deadlines: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31. Apply early within each quarter.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- retail and consumer service businesses
- hotels and motels
- food service and restaurant businesses
- beverage alcohol manufacturers
- commercial land developers (projects for resale)
- businesses outside eligible Northern Ontario geography
- businesses with an active concurrent NOHFC application
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskHow Invest North Program Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invest North Program | Up to $1,000,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Quarterly Grow stream:... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... | Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual Intake |
| Creative Industries Funding | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing (multiple... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Invest North Program