REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (PacifiCan)
Can you win this grant?
Get your instant eligibility verdict plus a head start on the application. Free, no account needed.
Takes about 20 seconds. We use this program’s real eligibility rules.
Want your full match picture across 650+ programs? Take the 2-minute quiz →
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
PacifiCan funding for B.C. innovation enablers — not-for-profits, post-secondary institutions, incubators, angel networks, Indigenous organizations and businesses, social enterprises, industry associations and consortia — that grow British Columbia's regional innovation ecosystem. Projects must support B.C. businesses and entrepreneurs, with PacifiCan normally covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. The current intake is open June 24 to September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT. Applications focused on accelerator programs are not being considered in this intake.
Eligibility Requirements
- Organization that supports businesses, innovators, or entrepreneurs in British Columbia
- Eligible types: not-for-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, incubators, angel networks, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) organizations and businesses, social enterprises, industry associations, municipalities, and groups of eligible recipients such as a consortium (whose members may include for-profit or not-for-profit entities)
- For-profit entities may be eligible only if they are Indigenous, part of a consortium, and/or their project's benefits are broadly distributed — a for-profit applying alone on a project that benefits mainly itself is not eligible
- Applications focused on accelerator programs are NOT being considered in this intake, in light of PacifiCan's Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP)
- Project must support B.C. businesses and entrepreneurs and contribute to regional innovation ecosystem capacity
- Non-commercial projects receive non-repayable contributions; projects with significant for-profit business involvement may be subject to repayable contributions
- At least 50% of project funding should come from the private sector, provincial and/or municipal governments, and/or other non-government sources
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Non-repayable contributions; not normally exceeding $3,000,000 per project (PacifiCan normally covers up to 50% of eligible costs). Prospective applicants must contact PacifiCan before completing an application if they intend to request more than $3 million.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Intake open June 24 – September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT; next intake timing TBD; monitor pacifican.gc.ca for future calls
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Pac...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 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 TipTwo things decide fit before anything else. First, accelerator-focused applications are not being considered in this intake because of PacifiCan's Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP) — if your project is an accelerator program, this intake is not the door. Second, for-profit entities are not flatly excluded: they can be eligible where they are Indigenous, part of a consortium, and/or the project's benefits are broadly distributed. PacifiCan also notes that projects with significant for-profit business involvement may be subject to repayable contributions, so structure a clearly non-commercial, ecosystem-enabling activity to secure the non-repayable stream. B.C.'s innovation ecosystem is dense; differentiate by demonstrating additionality and by targeting underrepresented entrepreneur communities, which carry additional weight in evaluation.
Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Application is focused on an accelerator program (not considered in this intake, in light of BizAP)
- For-profit applicant that is not Indigenous, not part of a consortium, and whose project benefits are not broadly distributed
- Project has significant for-profit commercial involvement that triggers repayable contribution terms
Success Profile
A B.C. organization — an established incubator, angel network, Indigenous economic development organization or Indigenous business, post-secondary commercialization hub, industry association, or a consortium of these — with a proven track record of delivering ecosystem services to B.C. companies. Strongest applicants have multi-year programs, clear measurable impacts on client businesses, and confirmed matching funding. Accelerator-focused proposals are out of scope for the current intake.
Evaluation Criteria
PacifiCan evaluates: (1) alignment with REGI program priorities; (2) organizational capacity, governance, and track record; (3) project quality, feasibility, and additionality; (4) ecosystem impact (companies supported, capital raised, jobs); (5) value for money; (6) sustainability. Enhanced consideration for organizations serving underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 7
- Salaries and wages for staff directly engaged in ecosystem programming
- Contracted professional services from arm's-length vendors
- Travel and accommodation for project activities
- Equipment and technology required to deliver programming
- Event and cohort programming costs
- Marketing and outreach for ecosystem programs
- Non-rebatable GST/HST
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Costs incurred before PacifiCan project approval
- Core operating overhead not directly tied to the funded project
- Political or lobbying activities
- For-profit business activities
- Land or building acquisition
- Activities outside British Columbia
Intake Periods
Fixed intake: June 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT to September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT. Future intake timing is not announced — monitor pacifican.gc.ca. Decisions targeted within 90 business days of a complete application.
Deadline Notes
Fixed intake — applications are accepted from June 24 at 12:00 pm to September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm PT, and the intake closes on that date. Decisions targeted within 90 business days of a complete application. Applications focused on accelerator programs are not being considered in this intake, in light of PacifiCan's Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP). Contact your PacifiCan office to discuss before applying. For-profit-involved (commercial) projects may be subject to repayable contributions — confirm project structure with PacifiCan.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- For-profit companies that are not Indigenous, not part of a consortium, and whose project benefits are not broadly distributed
- Federal government departments
- Individuals
- Organizations operating outside British Columbia
Applying for PacifiCan? 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 provisions. Risk triggers: project not completed, unverified expenses, advance funds not accounted for, or reporting obligations unmet.
How REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Pac... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems... | Non-repayable contributions | Hard | Milestone-Based | Intake open June 24 –... |
| Community Futures BC — Business Loans... | Up to $1,000,000 | Easy | Loan | Ongoing (continuous... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
| Digital Technology Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Open — Call for... |
| B.C. Employer Training Grant | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Pac...