REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (PacifiCan)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
PacifiCan non-repayable funding for B.C. not-for-profit innovation enablers — post-secondary institutions, accelerators, incubators, angel networks, Indigenous organizations, social enterprises, and industry associations — that grow British Columbia's regional innovation ecosystem. Projects must support B.C. businesses and entrepreneurs, with funding covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. Continuous open intake with funding decisions targeted within 90 business days of a complete application.
Eligibility Requirements
- Legally recognized not-for-profit organization that supports businesses, innovators, or entrepreneurs in British Columbia
- Eligible types: post-secondary institutions, accelerators, incubators, angel networks, Indigenous organizations, social enterprises, industry associations, and municipalities
- For-profit companies are explicitly excluded under this stream (apply to PacifiCan's REGI Business Scale-up & Productivity stream instead)
- Project must support B.C. businesses and entrepreneurs and contribute to regional innovation ecosystem capacity
- Non-commercial NPO projects receive non-repayable contributions; projects with significant for-profit business involvement may be subject to repayable contributions
- Matching funding required — applicant must cover at least 50% of eligible project costs from other sources
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to 50% of project costs (non-repayable for non-commercial NPO projects)
- 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 (Pac... — $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 PacifiCan? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. 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 TipPacifiCan explicitly notes that projects with significant for-profit business involvement may be subject to repayable contributions — structure your project as a clearly non-commercial, ecosystem-enabling activity to secure the non-repayable stream. B.C.'s innovation ecosystem is dense; differentiate your application by demonstrating additionality (why FedDev funding makes a difference that wouldn't otherwise happen) and targeting underrepresented entrepreneur communities, which carry additional weight in evaluation.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Applicant is a for-profit company
- Project has significant for-profit commercial involvement that triggers repayable contribution terms
- Insufficient confirmed matching funding (below 50% of eligible costs)
Success Profile
A B.C. not-for-profit — an established accelerator, incubator, angel network, Indigenous economic development organization, or post-secondary commercialization hub — 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.
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
Open continuously. Applications accepted year-round. Decisions targeted within 90 business days of a complete application.
Deadline Notes
Open continuously. Applications accepted year-round; decisions targeted within 90 business days of a complete application. 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 (use REGI BSP stream)
- Federal government departments
- Individuals
- Organizations without legal not-for-profit status in Canada
- Organizations operating outside British Columbia
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (Pac...