SEED NWT — Strategic Investments
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable territorial grants up to $75,000 for established NWT businesses making large-scale capital investments to expand operations. Investments must increase local economic activity and employment. Technology/innovation projects receive priority. Equity requirements: 30% for urban centres (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik), 20% for other communities.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business registered and operating in the NWT
- Investment must increase local economic activity and employment
- Must leverage funding from outside GNWT
- Must align with GNWT strategies or regional economic development plans
- Urban centres (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik): 30% equity
- Other NWT communities: 20% equity
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $75,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Territorial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 80% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipPre-consult your regional EDO — they shape applications to match eligible categories and flag budget availability. Frame technology adoption projects to benefit from stated priority. Sweat equity may count toward 20-30% requirement.
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Success Profile
Established NWT business with capital expansion creating local jobs, 20-30% equity committed, and outside funding leveraged. Technology-focused projects score highest.
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Evaluation Criteria
Employment impact in NWT (FTE jobs created/retained at specific wage levels); project viability (established business with credible expansion plan); confirmed outside leveraged funding; technology/innovation component (stated priority); alignment with NWT economic development strategy; equity requirement met (20–30% depending on location).
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 6
- Capital equipment (machinery, specialized tools, business-use-only vehicles, processing equipment)
- Facility construction and renovation (new buildings, extensions, capacity expansions)
- Technology and digital infrastructure (hardware, software systems, automation equipment)
- Site preparation for capital investment project
- Workforce training for new positions or skills required by the expansion
- Project planning costs (engineering studies, feasibility work)
Ineligible Expenses 8
- Operating costs (rent, utilities, inventory, existing staff salaries/wages)
- Working capital for day-to-day operations
- Debt repayment or refinancing
- Costs incurred before contribution agreement is signed
- Vehicles licensed for general passenger road use
- Business acquisitions (purchasing an existing business)
- Routine maintenance and repair of existing assets
- GST/HST (tax-recoverable amounts)
Intake Periods
Rolling April 1–March 31. Apply April–July for best budget availability. Q3/Q4 (October–March) budgets may be depleted.
Deadline Notes
Rolling intake. Apply early in fiscal year (April-June) for best budget availability. Contact regional EDO: Beaufort-Delta 867-678-8023, Dehcho 867-695-7500, Sahtu 867-587-7171, South Slave 867-872-8046, North Slave 867-767-9212.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses not registered or operating in the NWT
- Businesses that cannot meet the 20–30% equity requirement from outside GNWT sources
- New startups without established operating history (use SEED Entrepreneur Support instead)
- Businesses with unresolved outstanding SEED contribution agreement obligations
- Organizations whose investment does not create or retain NWT employment
- Federal Crown corporations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How SEED NWT — Strategic Invest... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEED NWT — Strategic Investments | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| CanNor IDEANorth (Inclusive Diversifi... | $50,000 to $6,000,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Canadian Northern Economic Developmen... | Varies | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Support for Entrepreneurs and Economi... | Up to $25,000 | Easy | Milestone-Based | Ongoing (April 1 – March... |
| Support for Entrepreneurs and Economi... | Up to $6,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
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