Technology Adoption Grants in Ontario: 64 Funding Programs to Buy Technology for Your Business

The Triple-P program is designed to spur economic development by offsetting the cost of purchasing equipment or software related to the innovative commercial product, process, or service of the for-profit company

The DCC Technology Demonstration Program (DCC Demo) is part of a broader Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) initiative. The Technology Demonstration stream supports Ontario Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) that have completed a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) project to adopt and implement the digital technology identified in their DMAP, accelerating growth of the SME whilst also supporting the commercialization of Ontario digital technologies.

The Technology Access Program provides Ontario SMEs with no cost access to the CIT Technology
Development Sites (TDSs) to support the development and commercialization of Ontario made products and services that integrate/adopt Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, cybersecurity) related to four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction and Mining. At these sites SMEs can develop, test, validate and showcase their products and services, helping disruptive innovations hit the market faster.

The Talent Development – Internship Program (TDI) provides support for recent undergraduate or Master’s graduates, to work on industry- driven projects related to the six CIT Critical Technology areas: 5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Robotics, in any one of the four key sector areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction, Mining. Companies can tap into world-class talent coming out of Ontario’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions and strengthen their capacity to develop new products, services and processes, while interns receive hands-on industry experience in areas such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund (SMPIF) helps processors of supply-managed commodities adapt to market changes resulting from the implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The program provides non-repayable contributions to support investments in dairy, poultry, and egg processing facilities that improve productivity and/or efficiency through the purchase of new automated equipment and technology.

The Special Measures for Journalism component of the Canada Periodical Fund provides financial support to Canadian print magazines, print community (non-daily) newspapers and digital periodicals, to enable them to overcome market disadvantages. The Fund ensures Canadians have access to diverse Canadian editorial content in printed magazines, printed community newspapers and digital periodicals.

Please note that daily newspapers and magazine or community newspaper titles currently receiving Aid to Publishers — Canada Periodical Fund funding are not eligible under this new component.

Using a formula based on editorial content expenses over a 12-month period, the Special Measures for Journalism component provides funding to eligible Canadian publications. Publishers are able to use funding to support the creation of content, production, distribution, online activities or business development.

As part of the broader Critical Industrial Technologies initiative, the Sector Adoption (SA) Program is a challenge based multi-partner program that drives significant impact and advancement of a whole sector.

As part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to develop a National Quantum Strategy (NQS), FedDev Ontario is delivering the Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) in southern Ontario. Over $23 million is available over six years (2022-27) to help companies advance and commercialize their quantum products and solutions for domestic and global markets.

The Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative provides support to pursue new approaches for building houses, including designing and upscaling modular homes, the use of 3D printing, mass timber construction, panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate resilient homebuilding practices.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. It will provide investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development.

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) will help bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and broader marketplace consumption with support spanning two pillars:

AI productization and commercialization – Support AI scale-ups address common challenges on their journey from lab prototypes to real-world applications, including securing growth capital, talent acquisition, data management, and navigating regulatory and business conduct frameworks.
Adoption of AI applications – Support will address AI adoption lag among small and medium-sized enterprises. Support will focus on addressing challenges, such as skills gaps, AI integration complexities, and compliance with regulatory and industry standards.

Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) are delivering $200 million through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to help bring new AI technologies to market and speed up AI adoption in sectors across the country. Through RAII, RDAs will support projects that help businesses and organizations turn ideas into real-world solutions for Canadians and compete globally.

Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) are delivering $200 million through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to help bring new AI technologies to market and speed up AI adoption in sectors across the country. Through the RAII, RDAs will support projects that help businesses and organizations turn ideas into real-world solutions for Canadians and compete globally.

Quebec Fisheries Fund’s Infrastructure stream is designed to encourage the use of new technologies or processes to support the sustainable development of the sector.

Communitech’s Peer2Peer Groups provide an opportunity for individuals in similar roles or functions to learn, exchange advice and explore best practices through a range of topics and session formats.

Communitech has teamed up with trusted data experts who can help work through your data challenges and identify tailored solutions to harness the full potential of your data.

The Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) provides funding to small- and medium-sized automotive parts suppliers in Ontario to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain to make it more competitive and responsive to the changing needs of its customers.

The Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides financial support to eligible small- and mid-sized print and digital magazine publishers. This component of the CPF encourages innovation to adapt to changing market conditions and contributes to the diversity of content sought by Canadian readers.

The Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF) is an early-stage co-investment fund that supports companies in Life Sciences and Healthcare Technologies sectors related to human health. The fund is aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by life sciences entrepreneurs moving innovative and capital-intensive investments from a conceptual stage through to commercialization. Through the fund, OCI co-invests with angel and other investors to help de-risk the opportunity, assisting start-ups in becoming investor and customer ready and allowing them to attract follow-on investment.

Invest Ottawa currently runs multiple intellectual property (IP) programs and can provide referrals to other IP programs where appropriate. The good news is we’ve harmonized these resources into a central access point with our IP team and IP advisors.

With a competitive landscape where tech firms compete to get market share, the role of intellectual property (IP) is becoming an increasingly important factor of success. Get ahead of the game and ensure you know the threats and opportunities of IP. Invest Ottawa has resources to support your IP needs and to recommend next steps in your IP journey

IP Assist, an IRAP funded program, is available to companies to increase their IP knowledge and to better understand the threats and opportunities specific to their innovation and business. This program is structured into two steps:

Level 1 – IP Education: receive 2 hours with an IP Professional to better understand IP and what role IP can play in transforming your innovation into valuable IP assets.
Level 2 – Robust IP Strategy Up to $18k in funding to provide your company with an analysis of the technical and competitive landscape of your innovation along with providing a prioritized IP action plan that will support your company in making go/no-go decisions on new market opportunities, new products, and competitive risk.

A 10-week program for entrepreneurs who want to validate a tech startup idea and establish a solid foundation to build their business on.

IO Flex gives founders and business leaders access to early-stage advisors, cost-saving startup perks and a network of like-minded peers

The Investment – Locate Stream provides financial support to businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario.

The Investment – Grow Stream provides financial support to businesses expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario.

The Investment – Launch Stream provides a conditional contribution of up to 50% of total eligible project costs to a maximum of $200,000 for businesses starting-up operations in Northern Ontario.

The Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program (IDHS) supports the implementation of Ontario-based digital and virtual care health technologies by accelerating evaluation, adoption, implementation, and procurement in the Ontario health system. IDHS is a program of the Government of Ontario, developed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), and administered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation.
IDHS is designed to encourage and foster partnerships between successful recipients, and Ontario-based Technology Vendors to evaluate, adopt, and implement market-ready innovative digital health and/or virtual care solutions that address Ontario’s health system priorities.

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) is offering grants to support innovations and concepts that advance NORAD modernization science and technology (S&T) to future-proof North America’s defence against aerospace and maritime threats. IDEaS is looking to fund early stage solutions (technology readiness levels (TRLs) 1-6) in the following domains:
Quantum technologies
Autonomous technologies
Counter uncrewed aerial systems (CUAS)
Arctic mobility and navigation of military platforms, including ships, land vehicles, and aircraft
Scalable, energy-efficient and sustainable power and energy solutions for current and future Department of National Defence(DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) arctic requirements

ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is a competitive program that is offered at no cost and with no equity requirement to eligible companies. Dedicated to supporting both silicon and hardware companies for up to 24 months, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative is enabling Canadian companies to grow and scale locally to compete globally.

In addition to the OAFRI funding streams, the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub provides agri-food business supports that enable more solutions and technologies to be brought to market by providing:
– mentoring and advisory services
– growth planning
– investment readiness

The Good AI program is here to help founders navigate the world of AI responsibly. Join our community of industry experts and gain the tools and guidance you need to proactively address AI opportunities and challenges, all while prioritizing ethical principles.

The Future Ready (FR) program provides support for Ontario-based SMEs working in CIT’s four key sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food and Mining) to upskill/reskill current employees on Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum,
and Robotics) to support the company’s adoption of Critical Technologies and commercialization of new products and services. Under this program eligible SMEs receive support to hire an external third-party consultant to train their employees in the adoption and implementation of these Critical Technologies.

FedDev Ontario is investing in people, potential, and possibilities. We want to help you grow so you can reach your potential and unlock new possibilities.

The Food Safety and Growth Initiative (the Initiative) provides funding to small agri-food businesses to:
– modernize their food safety systems
– adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards
– stimulate growth in the agriculture and food sector
Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year (2023 to 2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments. Up to $5 million has been allocated for the Initiative.

FinDev Canada offers Technical Assistance (TA) and advisory, through grants and advisory services, to support its clients and other market players to improve development impact outcomes. TA is a valuable tool to complement financing and investment activities and foster more holistic relationships with clients and relevant market players.

The Export-Ready Stream (ERS) of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) program offers funding through contributions (not loans) for export-ready projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world.

Ultimately, the program aims to increase the export profitability for Canada’s creative industries.

The small projects component provides grant funding for small-scale construction and communication technology projects that improve accessibility in communities and workplaces.

The mid-sized projects component gives funding for larger construction projects. These projects must offer a suite of programs and services to include persons with disabilities in:
– their communities, and
– the labour market.

ElevateIP is designed to support the improvement of IP Knowledge, the development of IP Strategy, and the creation of IP assets for startups in Eastern Ontario.

Invest Ottawa, Launch Lab, and Spark Centre are collaborating with Communitech and ISED to deliver a 3-tiered program:

Tier 1: IP Education through training sessions, workshops, and online resources.
Tier 2: IP Strategy development including patent mining and prior art searches, trademark searches, agreement reviews, and more.
Tier 3: IP Creation such as patent drafting/filing/prosecution, trademark registrations, licensing agreement creation, Open-Source audits, and more.

The E-Commerce Accelerator program equips established entrepreneurs with expert support, peer networks, and actionable training to help scale their annual recurring revenue. This is a bootcamp style program that will provide dedicated learning delivered over two days followed by six months of peer group sessions.

The Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) program supports Ontario SMEs to better understand their organization’s technology needs, guide their digital transformation decision-making, and optimize their technology investments. Through this program, SMEs work with a Digital Adoption Consultant to generate a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan tailored specifically to their organization’s digital needs.

We know that finding more prospects can be hard, and converting those prospects to sales even harder. That’s why we’ve brought a team of experts together – our digital lead generators – who will listen and learn about your business, then go to work building you a digital presence that turns your website into a powerful lead generation tool.

The Development and Commercialization (DC) Program supports the development and commercialization of Ontario made products and services that integrate/adopt Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, cybersecurity) related to four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction and Mining.

The Business Innovation component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides financial support to eligible small- and mid-sized publishers of print and digital (non-daily) community newspapers. This component of the CPF encourages innovation to adapt to changing market conditions and contributes to the diversity of content sought by Canadian readers.

Scaling Smart is a workshop series tailored for scale-ups, offering practical strategies and expert insights to help founders and leaders navigate growth challenges and scale their companies effectively.

Communitech’s Pro Squad allows member companies to access trusted advice from pre-vetted sources without the need to shop around

We recognize the unique opportunity clean fuels present for Indigenous businesses and communities and encourage Indigenous participation on all projects. We have designed a distinct process with measures to increase funding of Indigenous-led clean production capacity projects in Canada.

Funding the build-out of new production capacity will:
grow the domestic production capacity for clean fuels including clean hydrogen, advanced biofuels, renewable natural gas, and sustainable aviation fuel, across Canada
offer new opportunities for Canada’s energy sector in the transition to producing cleaner sources of energy
support Canada’s efforts to reach net-zero by 2050
position Canada globally to reap economic, environmental, and social benefits of the energy transition

Innovators from Canadian organizations may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology. We cover up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners.

The Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) is designed to provide eligible Canadian publishers of print magazines, print community newspapers and digital periodicals with the financial support they need to produce and distribute high-quality, Canadian editorial content for Canadian readers.

For print magazines, funding is granted based on a formula that takes the total number of eligible copies distributed over a 12-month period as well as eligible editorial expenditures incurred during that period.

The Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) is designed to provide eligible Canadian publishers of print magazines, print community newspapers and digital periodicals with the financial support they need to produce and distribute high-quality, Canadian editorial content for Canadian readers.

For digital periodicals, funding is granted based on eligible editorial expenditures incurred over a 12-month period.

The Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) is designed to provide eligible Canadian publishers of print magazines, print community newspapers and digital periodicals with the financial support they need to produce and distribute high-quality, Canadian editorial content for Canadian readers.

For print community newspapers, funding is granted based on a formula that takes the total number of eligible copies distributed over a 12-month period as well as eligible editorial expenditures incurred during that period.

The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream aims to accelerate the growth of firms and assist with the adoption and adaptation of new, innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity, development of and entry into new markets to help companies become competitive in both domestic and global markets.

The British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) aims to:

ensure the fish and seafood sector in B.C. is positioned for long-term environmental and economic sustainability
support the protection and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and other fish stocks

The purpose of this Project Category is to reduce animal health risks in a measurable and proven way through physical set up of production areas, practices, testing, monitoring and management along with operations assessments/plans and education or training.

The purpose of this Project Category is to build farm-specific knowledge and expertise in support of plant health (for example, conducting pest risk assessments, developing biosecurity procedures and integrated pest management plans, and participating in plant health training).

BDC offers a Technology Loan designed to assist businesses in optimizing performance and increasing profitability through strategic investments in technology. Investing in technology is recognized as one of the most effective ways to drive growth, reduce costs, and boost productivity, making this loan an invaluable resource for companies looking to enhance their operational efficiency and overall financial performance.

Young businesses need the right financing and the right partners to succeed. Our experts provide advice to help guide you as you take your business to the next level and up to $250,000 to get you there.

BDC’s Small Business Loan is designed to help businesses quickly and easily access the funds they need with flexible terms they can afford

BDC extends financing options for tech companies, providing support for both earlier-stage scale-ups aiming to secure market positions and established businesses in growth mode. Solutions offered by BDC are tailored to safeguard cash flow and assist tech businesses across various stages, accommodating those with a recurring fees revenue model.

Helping ambitious business owners from underserved communities get the financing, education and support they need to succeed.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is intended to help the fish and seafood sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally. Its aim is to bring high value, high quality and sustainable products to markets at home and around the world.
It supports: innovation to encourage new products and technologies, infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies, and science partnerships between industry, academia, and other research institutions to improve knowledge.

This Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund supports efforts that will help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Priority will be given to projects to focus on:
improving relationships with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples and key stakeholders
involving multiple partners
providing Canadians with tools to take action on aquatic invasive species
monitoring and prevention of aquatic invasive species

The African Swine Fever Prevention and Preparedness investment aims to enhance efforts to prevent African swine fever (ASF) from entering Canada and prepare for a potential outbreak.

As part of the investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (ASFIPP) will provide up to $23.4 million over 3 years. The program supports the pork industry to:

address identified gaps in prevention and mitigation efforts
develop the tools, partnerships, and activities needed to ensure the early detection of ASF and an effective emergency response in case of an outbreak. The ASFIPP offers support under 2 streams:

Welfare Slaughter and Disposal Stream
Prevention and Preparedness Stream
Note: There is a separate application process for the African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program: Prevention and Preparedness Stream.