• Companies operating as restaurants, wholesalers, distributors or re-sellers

• Not-for-profits and municipalities

• Hobby and part-time businesses

• Businesses at the idea stage

• Companies registered outside of IION's catchment area (districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka)

• On-going operational costs including staff wages, rolling stock or any other internal costs associated with the project

• Pre-diems- food & beverage costs when traveling, giveaways, such as business cards, pens, notebooks, branded merchandise, or company-branded clothing

• Tradeshow & travel costs when participating in Northern Ontario Pavilions funded by FedNor (Royal Winter Fair, PDAC, CIM)

• Any projects involving Artificial Intelligence - these costs fall under the Ignite AI program.

Yes, early-stage or pre-revenue businesses can apply, but only if they’ve demonstrated real progress toward launching and growth. Applicants must have a strong business case supported by market research and should have a minimum viable product. While you don’t need employees yet, your application should clearly show how the project will lead to growth and job creation within the IION catchment area. The program isn’t intended for idea-stage businesses.

1. Contact Emily Ryan, the program lead to determine if your business is eligible and discuss the proposed project(s).

2. If deemed eligible, the company will complete the application (including all required quotes) and submit the draft version to Emily via Jotform.

3. Emily will review one draft submission by providing comments about application completeness via email.

4. IION accepts applications throughout the month, with the last business day serving as the monthly intake deadline.

   We encourage businesses to apply early to allow time for IION to review and provide feedback.

   Please note: Applications must be submitted before any project expenses are incurred. You may begin incurring costs once your final application has been submitted to IION; if approved, eligible costs will be reimbursed up to the approved funding amount.

5. The SFEP committee will review your application the following month.

6. Once the review is complete, you will receive an email from IION to inform you of the committees decision.

• Approved companies must register as an IION client, the registration link will be emailed to you once approved.

• Approved companies have 6-months (or by the programs deadline of March 2027 - whichever comes first) to complete the project from date of approval

• IION will process one reimbursement at the end of the project. The company is required to pay the contractors invoices, including any HST applicable, then submit a claim to IION for 50% reimbursement, up to the grant amount (no HST). The claim must include all final invoices and proof of payment.

• Companies will be reimbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) upon receipt of the claim with the final invoice(s) and proof of payment

• Successful applicants will be required to complete a mandatory SFEP survey as well as a mandatory annual survey

Applications must be received prior to incurring costs associated with the project. Costs incurred prior to an application submission will not be eligible. *Tradeshow costs are an exception to this.

If applicants choose to do so, they can begin incurring costs once IION has the final application submission and the applicant receives an email indicating the application is being sent to the committee.

If the application is approved, the costs, up to the grant amount, will be reimbursed.