Innovation Acceleration Program (IAP)
Innovation Acceleration Program

Innovation Acceleration Program

The NORCAT Innovation Acceleration Program is designed to empower early small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the funding required to expand their product development and market position. The IAP fund is created specifically to alleviate early start-up founders of the challenges that come with securing funding in Northern Ontario and enables early founders with a foundation of funds to continue prospecting, growing, and promoting their business in the Greater Sudbury innovation ecosystem.

Funded by FedNor

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Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant must be a NORCAT Innovation client. If you are not a NORCAT Innovation client, complete the Discovery Document Form.
  • Applicants must be a growth-oriented and for-profit (registered sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation).
  • Applicants must be located within NORCAT Innovation’s service area of Greater Sudbury, Ontario.
  • Applicants must be seeking assistance for developing and commercializing an innovative tech-based (service, product or process) at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least TRL 7.

Note: Retail and distributor businesses will not be considered under this program.

Eligible Projects

Must demonstrate economic development objectives and create short-to-medium, measurable results for the communities and businesses of the region. Must not be a project already in progress.

Planning and Development
  • Business planning
  • Market research
  • Product development
  • Product testing
  • Export development
  • Feasibility analysis
  • Certifications
  • In-market licenses
  • IP research and protection
  • Productivity research
  • Market entry fees
Sales and Marketing
  • Trade show exhibiting and travel
  • Sales training
  • Test marketing
  • E-commerce and promotions
  • Export market development
Business Management and Enhancement
  • Management support/training
  • Business capacity development
  • Productivity or lean production implementation

The proposed project must represent a new and high-impact strategic initiative aimed at advancing the development and commercialization of an innovation or invention. It must not duplicate any projects funded in previous fiscal years and must not be an initiative that is already underway.

New applications are no longer being accepted at this time.

Ineligible Activities

This program is not intended to support, nor is it applicable to, operating as resellers or distributors.

Ineligible activities include:

  • Capital and any ongoing operational costs of the startup or SME
  • Existing staff wages
  • Administration costs
  • Rolling stock, etc.

Contribution Requirements

The maximum financial assistance available under the program is 50% of approved Total Eligible Project Costs, up to $20,000 per SME, whichever is lesser.

The SME is required to pay project service providers 100% of invoiced costs, including all applicable HST, prior to submitting for reimbursement.

Program Requirements

  1. Client Intake & Discovery
    • The applicant must be a NORCAT Innovation client. If the applicant is not a NORCAT Innovation client, complete the Discovery Document.
  2. Proposal Submission
    • Submit a proposal outlining the project, your current TRL level, and business value.
  3. Quotations for Project Work
    • The Applicant must submit a minimum of two competitive quotes from independent and unrelated service providers.
    • Each quote must detail:
      • Scope of work
      • Hourly rate or total cost
      • Estimated number of hours required
  4. Project Feedback Requirements
    • Upon project completion, recipients must submit a formal exit survey describing the project’s impact on their business operations, outcomes, or future plans.
  5. Long-Term Reporting
    • Applicants may also be contacted for follow-up feedback for up to five years post-completion to support program evaluation and impact tracking.

Application Status

Notice: The Innovation Acceleration Program (IAP) is no longer accepting new applications at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are now closed. No new applications are currently being accepted.
  • Applicants must be a NORCAT Innovation client. If the applicant is not a NORCAT Innovation client, complete the Discovery Document.
  • Be a for-profit company based in the Greater Sudbury Region
No. IAP funding only covers future costs incurred after your project has been approved.
IAP reimburses 50% of approved Total Eligible Project Costs, up to $20,000 per SME. Projects must be new, not in progress, and must meet eligibility.
You must submit an exit survey upon completion of the project. Additional feedback may be requested for up to five years after completion.
Yes. RAII remains open and has a separate application process, subject to its own eligibility requirements and available funding.
Submit a Discovery Document Form and complete the intake process with the NORCAT Innovation team.
Initial review takes up to 2 business days. Final review will take up to 1 month.
No. IAP intake is closed, and new or revised applications are not being accepted at this time.

Funded by FedNor

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