REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (FedDev Ontario)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable FedDev Ontario funding for not-for-profit innovation enablers — accelerators, incubators, Community Futures Development Corporations, economic-development organizations, and Indigenous organizations — that build southern Ontario's regional innovation ecosystem. Projects must deliver business-support programming that helps Southern Ontario businesses and entrepreneurs grow, compete, and create jobs. Continuous intake with no set deadlines.
Eligibility Requirements
- Not-for-profit organization operating in southern Ontario (does not include Northern Ontario — FedNor delivers REGI there)
- Eligible organization types: non-profit corporations, Indigenous organizations, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), municipalities and regional governments, post-secondary institutions, and other innovation enablers
- Project must deliver business-support programming (acceleration, incubation, mentorship, access-to-capital facilitation, export support, etc.) to southern Ontario businesses and entrepreneurs
- For-profit companies are generally not eligible under the RIE stream (apply to FedDev's REGI Business Scale-up & Productivity stream instead)
- Enhanced consideration for organizations serving underrepresented groups: women, Indigenous peoples, Black-led, and young entrepreneurs
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Typically $125,000–$10,000,000 (non-repayable for NPO ecosystem projects; up to ~50% of eligible costs)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Fed... — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 8-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for REGI? 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 TipFedDev Ontario's REGI RIE stream funds the organizations that support businesses — not the businesses themselves. Your application must clearly articulate how your programming measurably grows southern Ontario's innovation ecosystem. Lead with concrete outputs: startups accelerated, capital raised by client companies, jobs created, revenue growth achieved by program participants. FedDev officers make funding decisions based on both organizational track record and project merit — if you are a newer organization, emphasize your team's experience and strong letters of support from established ecosystem partners.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Applicant is a for-profit company (must use REGI BSP stream instead)
- Project primarily serves the applicant's own organization rather than the broader ecosystem
- Weak or absent performance measurement framework
Success Profile
A southern Ontario not-for-profit innovation hub, accelerator, incubator, CFDC, or Indigenous economic development organization with a proven track record of delivering programming to entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. Strongest applicants have multi-year programs with measurable ecosystem outcomes, strong partner networks, and a compelling case for additionality — why FedDev funding produces results that wouldn't happen otherwise.
Evaluation Criteria
FedDev Ontario assesses: (1) alignment with REGI priorities and FedDev's southern Ontario mandate; (2) organizational track record, governance, and capacity; (3) project quality, feasibility, and additionality; (4) ecosystem impact (companies served, jobs, capital leveraged); (5) value for money; (6) sustainability beyond the funding period. Applications targeting underrepresented entrepreneur communities receive enhanced consideration.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries, wages, and employee benefits for staff directly working on funded activities
- Contracted services from arm's-length service providers
- Travel and accommodation for project-related activities
- Facilities and equipment directly used in delivering ecosystem programming
- Marketing and communications for programming and ecosystem outreach
- Event production and delivery costs (demo days, cohort programs, speaker series)
- Technology tools and platforms supporting program delivery
- Non-rebatable HST
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Costs incurred before FedDev Ontario approval
- Core operating costs not directly attributable to the funded project
- Political or lobbying activities
- For-profit business growth activities
- Land acquisition or facility construction
- Activities outside southern Ontario
Intake Periods
Continuous intake year-round. No formal intake periods — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as budget permits.
Deadline Notes
Continuous intake — applications accepted year-round. Contact a FedDev Ontario regional office before applying to discuss eligibility and project fit. Budget is demand-driven; pre-consultation is strongly encouraged.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- For-profit companies (use REGI Business Scale-up & Productivity stream)
- Federal government departments
- Individuals
- Organizations without legal NPO status
- Organizations operating primarily outside southern Ontario
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskStandard federal contribution agreement clawback provisions apply. Risk triggers: project not completed as approved, unverified expenses, advance payments not accounted for, or failure to meet reporting requirements.
How REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Fed... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems... | Typically $125,000–$10,000,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Fed...