Grants for Business Expansion
Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative
Through the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative Ontario industry will converge with innovative SMEs to amplify Ontario’s rich critical technology capabilities and propel four key sectors of Ontario’s economy to the forefront of this transformation.
Four key sectors:
- Mining
- Advanced Manufacturing (non-auto)
- Agri-Food
- Construction
Critical technology areas:
- 5G & advanced networks
- AI
- Blockchain
- Robotics
- Cybersecurity
- Quantum
The Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative will support Ontario SMEs to develop new IP faster and at a greater scale for the benefit of the province and beyond. The Critical Industrial Technologies initiative is a Government of Ontario initiative led by OCI.
Goal of the CIT Initiative
The initiative will bring together key stakeholders at all levels to build an ecosystem that connects large companies and industry needs with SME solutions.
The initiative is committed to achieving the following 4 goals:
- Building an Ontario critical technology ecosystem that propels Ontario’s mining, advanced manufacturing, construction, and agri-food sectors forward to be leaders in the global economy.
- Supporting critical technology education and awareness to help SMEs understand the benefits of creating, commercializing, and adopting critical technologies.
- Accelerating the growth of Ontario companies through the development and commercialization of Made-in-Ontario technologies and expanding critical technology talent.
- Fueling significant advances within and between the four sectors by supporting the adoption, demonstration and integration of critical technologies.
Technology Development Sites
Technology Development Sites (TDS) are where SMEs can come to develop, test, and showcase their critical technology products and services, so they can hit the market faster.
TDSs are established by industry incumbents, vendors, and associations in their respective technology and/or sector domains. As part of the CIT program, OCI has partnered with these organizations to extend these capabilities for SMEs to utilize and integrate learnings, assets, and/or new IP into their product/service suites.
Small-and-Medium-Sized-Enterprises (SMEs) can access a Technology Development Site by:
- Contacting the Critical Industrial Technologies team to apply for access
- Applying to the Development and Commercialization Program for Technology Development Site Access with funding support for your project
CIT Programs
The Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative has a series of programs to drive the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies in the mining, advanced manufacturing, construction and agri- food sectors.
1. Development and Commercialization Program (DC)
Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution with $50-200k of support from OCI.
Eligibility:
SMEs interested in adopting, integrating, or demonstrating critical technologies and developing new IP-rich products and services.
2. Technology Access Program (TA)
Eligible SMEs can access a Technology Development Site to integrate, develop, test, and showcase their critical technologies solution.
Eligibility:
SMEs interested in adopting, integrating, or demonstrating critical technologies and developing new IP-rich products and services.
3. Sector Adoption Program (SA)
Sector Adoption Program supports a consortium of partners working together to address a set challenge statement and catalyze impactful change for the whole sector. Up to $1 million available for a multi- partner consortium with a minimum of 1 SME.
Eligibility:
Industry leaders seeking to collaborate on province-wide innovations that move the needle on critical technology challenges across the four key sectors.
4. Talent Development Program (TD)
Eligible SMEs can invest in critical technology training and support for employees.
Steam 1: Internships for new, young talent creating the workforce of tomorrow
Stream 2: Upskilling/reskilling existing employees for the challenges of today
Eligibility:
SMEs invested in modernizing their workforce to thrive in the dynamic future of critical technologies.
Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program
Amount: grants worth 12% of a project’s eligible capital costs.
Alberta Agri-processing Investment Tax Credit
Amount: 12% non-refundable tax credit up to $175 million
Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program
Amount: up to $150K in cost-shared funding of up to 75% of eligible costs.
The Facilitating Interprovincial Trade of Regulated Product Designated Program
Deadline: the Program will end on March 31, 2028.
Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund
Amount: up to 20% of Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $3 million per applicant
Invest North Program (Northern Ontario)
Amount: Up to 50% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000.
SME in Action Program – Support for SME Productivity component
Amount: non-refundable contribution of up to 40% of eligible project expenses, up to a maximum of $ 50,000 per project.
SME in Action Program – Support Component for the Implementation of Investment Projects (Feasibility Studies)
Amount: non-refundable contribution of up to 40% of eligible project expenses, up to a maximum of $ 100,000 per project, with the exception of equipment manufacturers and processors in the aluminum, for which the maximum can reach $ 250,000 per project.
Accelerating Manufacturing Scale-Up Grant Program
Amount: between $50,000 up to a maximum of $250,000 to eligible businesses or up to a maximum of $500,000 to eligible groups in collaboration.