An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Partly repayable

INVEST North, Innovation Stream

by Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

Also known as: NOHFC Innovation Stream

NOHFC's Innovation Stream funds development and commercialization of new technologies by Northern Ontario private-sector businesses: up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $500,000 for applied R&D-only projects, or $2 million for combined or demonstration/commercialization projects, as a conditional contribution. Combined government funding cannot exceed 75%. Eligible costs include prototyping (up to three prototypes), testing/certification, IP protection, and commercialization-tied building work. Assets sold within three years may trigger reimbursement.

Amount
Up to $2,000,000 Applied R&D-only projects: up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000. Combined or demonstration/commercialization projects: up to 50% to a maximum of $2 million. Marketing materials and trade show assistance capped at 20% of project costs. Up to three prototypes funded per project. This award range, $2,000,000, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

up to 50% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000 [applied R&D only]; up to 50% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $2 million [combined or demonstration/commercialization]

Instrument
Conditional contribution
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share
Combined federal and provincial funding may not exceed 75% of eligible project costs, so at least 25% must come from non-government sources.

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Who qualifies
Businesses
  • private-sector businesses (solo or in partnership)
  • public-private partnerships where the private sector leads and receives the funding
  • Academic/research institution partners must possess relevant expertise
  • Technology must be tested and validated before the commercialization phase
  • Labour costs for owners with a 10%+ stake are ineligible
  • Direct internal technical labour must be Northern Ontario-based

myportal.nohfc.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Where
Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: eligibleCochrane District: eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): eligibleKenora District: eligibleManitoulin District: eligibleNipissing District: eligibleParry Sound District: eligibleRainy River District: eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): eligibleThunder Bay District: eligibleTimiskaming District: eligible

11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Small business, expansion Startups & new entrepreneurs

Can you combine this with other funding?

  • NRC IRAP, Innovation Funding, Federal innovation funding such as NRC IRAP may be stacked, but combined federal and provincial funding may not exceed 75% of eligible project costs.

Common questions

How much does the Innovation Stream cover?

Up to 50% of total eligible costs: maximum $500,000 for applied R&D-only projects, or $2 million for projects that combine R&D with demonstration/commercialization (or are demonstration/commercialization only).

Can I stack it with NRC IRAP or other federal programs?

Yes, but combined federal and provincial funding may not exceed 75% of eligible project costs.

What costs are ineligible?

Land, working capital, administrative costs, in-kind contributions, business plans, travel, office equipment, vehicles, and labour costs for owners holding 10% or more of the business.

Are there conditions after the project?

Yes, if assets funded by NOHFC are sold within three years of project completion, reimbursement may be required. Up to three prototypes are funded per project (exceptions case-by-case).

Other streams of INVEST North Program

Funders publish these as one program with several streams. The terms differ by stream.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Guides that cover this program

Notes on this record

Successor territory of the pre-2021 Northern Innovation Program (not confirmed on the fetched page; stated as background only).

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

myportal.nohfc.ca