Connects businesses with experienced advisors to turn AI opportunities into practical, actionable plans for growth.

Ignite Catalyst supports companies in IION’s service area — Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, and Muskoka — with access to experienced advisors who can help them explore artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities and build practical adoption plans.


Eligible companies must meet IION’s innovation mandate. Companies must have invented or refreshed a product, process or service by having a proprietary product, software or technology that they are commercializing or significantly refreshing a process through artificial intelligence (AI). More information on IION’s eligibility can be viewed here.

Advisory engagements are intended as a scoping phase, helping businesses at every stage: from those who are simply curious about how AI could help, to those who already have a clear project in mind but need expert support to execute it properly. Each engagement results in a documented plan that can support future implementation, grant funding, and long-term business growth.

Funding Details

The Ignite Catalyst program will support advisory projects at one funding level:

  • Up to $10,000 (non-repayable) toward eligible advisory costs.

  • Projects are fully reimbursed after completion and proof of payment.

  • HST is the responsibility of the company but may be claimed as an input tax credit.

Advisory engagements are first come, first served if the applicant is eligible. There are no intake or review periods.

Companies are eligible for one Ignite Catalyst engagement over the duration of the program.

Eligible projects must demonstrate measurable business results, with the potential to create jobs and increase revenues.

Examples of eligible projects

Ignite Catalyst is designed to be inclusive and practical, supporting companies new to AI as well as those with advanced projects.

For businesses new to AI:

  • How to use accessible AI tools (such as ChatGPT) to improve customer service, marketing funnels, or reporting.

  • Automating simple, repetitive processes (e.g., scheduling, invoicing, or inventory checks).

  • Understanding how AI can improve productivity, reduce costs, or support better business decisions.

For companies with clear goals or complex needs:

  • Building an AI adoption roadmap with timelines, deliverables, and resource forecasts.

  • Assessing data readiness, technical requirements, and infrastructure for AI integration.

  • Scoping and validation for AI-enabled product development in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, or software.

  • Strategic guidance on commercialization, IP protection, or scaling AI-enabled technologies..

Eligibility:

    • Innovative, growth-oriented for-profit companies.

    • Companies registered and operating in one of IION’s service districts: Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, or Muskoka.

    • Companies must have a business model and strategy that validates forecasted sales and employment growth.

    • Companies seeking assistance for adopting, integrating, or scaling AI solutions, or commercializing an innovative product or process that has the potential to increase revenue and employment.

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

    • Not-for-profits and municipalities.

    • Hobby and part-time businesses.

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

    1. The company contacts the program lead (James Savard) to determine eligibility and discuss the proposed advisory engagement.

    2. If eligible, the company must register as an IION client. Once this is completed, the application link will be emailed to the company.

    3. The company completes the application and submits it online, along with a draft scope of work.

    4. IION connects the company with an appropriate advisor based on sector fit and project needs.

    5. A meeting is held between the company, the advisor, and IION to confirm the scope of work, deliverables, and expectations.

    6. The advisor prepares a detailed quote outlining scope, deliverables, timelines, and cost.

    7. The company and IION must both approve the quote before work begins.

    8. The company pays the advisor in full upon project completion.

    9. IION reimburses the company for the approved contribution (up to $10,000).

    • Advisory engagements must typically be completed within 8 weeks of approval.

    • The advisor invoices the company directly.

    • The company pays the invoice in full, including HST.

    • The company submits proof of payment to IION.

    • IION reimburses the company for the approved amount (up to $10,000, excluding HST).

    • Companies are required to complete a mandatory Ignite Catalyst survey as well as a mandatory annual survey.

    • Applications must be received and approved before any engagement can begin.

    • Once IION has received the final application submission and confirmed eligibility, work can commence with the advisor.

    • Only costs incurred after approval are eligible for reimbursement.

How do I get started?

Please contact James Savard to discuss the eligibility of your company & project(s) and answer any questions you may have. If your company and project(s) are deemed eligible, James will send you the application.

📧 james@iion.ca
📞 (705) 491-5411