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...
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
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
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) →
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
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems... | Typically $125,000–$10,000,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
| Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI... | Up to 40% of eligible costs | Hard | Varies | 2027 competition open -... |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| 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 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Fed...