Grant
Territorial
Active
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) - Entrepreneur Support
Government of the Northwest Territories
Maximum Funding
Up to $25,000
Ongoing (April 1 – March 31 fiscal year; apply early — regional budgets may d...
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Milestone-Based
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
80%
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) - Entrepreneur Support provides Up to $25,000. Provides financial assistance to NWT businesses and entrepreneurs to pursue new opportunities and improve operations, covering costs like market research, feasibility studies, and product development. The program covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Approval odds: ~78% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Provides financial assistance to NWT businesses and entrepreneurs to pursue new opportunities and improve operations, covering costs like market research, feasibility studies, and product development.
Eligibility Requirements
- Entrepreneur or for-profit business registered and actively operating in the Northwest Territories
- Must have a viable business opportunity or improvement project
- Eligible activities include market research, feasibility studies, and product development
- Business must be NWT-based (not just federally registered)
- Businesses in the arts or film sectors (NAICS 7111, 7113, 7114, 7115, 5121, 5122) are not eligible — arts and film projects have been excluded from SEED since April 1, 2026.
- In Level 1 communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik), the 30% equity floor caps maximum SEED support at 70% of project costs — the 80% maximum applies only in Level 2 communities and for NWT-wide projects.
- Capital asset purchases are funded only in Level 2 communities — businesses in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik cannot use the Asset Acquisition category.
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $25,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Territorial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 80% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing (April 1 – March 31 fiscal year; apply early — regional budgets may deplete by year-end)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Approval Rate
~78%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipYou must meet with ITI to discuss your application before submitting it — you attest to this in the signed declaration on the application form, and submission does not guarantee approval.
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Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Insufficient or no equity contribution (matching requirement not met)
+6 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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All 7 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win SEED
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 11-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 9-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 5-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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9 steps
11 docs
Application Steps
1
Contact your regional EDO Call or visit your regional ITI Economic Development Officer (EDO) before starting the application. Discuss your business concept and proposed project. EDOs confirm eligibility, advise on cost categories, and check regional budget availability.
Required Documents 11
✓ Completed SEED Application Form (download from iti.gov.nt.ca)
✓ Project description with itemized cost quotes
Eligible Expenses 10
Ineligible Expenses 8
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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5 partners
Compatible Programs
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How SEED Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support for Entrepreneurs and Economi... | Up to $25,000 | Easy | Milestone-Based | Ongoing (April 1 – March... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Between intakes — the... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Minimum $10 million contribution | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about SEED
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Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors are eligible if registered and operating in NWT. Must provide 20-30% matching (cash or documented sweat equity).
What's the typical award amount?
$5,000-$15,000. Maximum $25,000 but rarely awarded; most projects are in the $5k-$15k range.
How long does approval take?
Rolling basis — applications reviewed within 3-6 weeks if regional budget available. Budgets may deplete late in fiscal year (March), so apply early.
Do I need to be incorporated?
No, sole proprietorships and registered NWT businesses (not just federally) qualify. Must be actively operating in NWT.
Why do applications fail?
Missing matching funds (20-30% equity), incomplete docs, or project not in eligible categories (e.g., not for-profit or not NWT-based).
What if my application is denied — can I appeal?
Yes. You can appeal in writing to the Deputy Minister within 30 days of the decision, on the grounds that the policy was not fairly applied or that new information has emerged. The Deputy Minister's decision is final.
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Full Playbook: SEED
9 steps · 11 docs · reviewer insights