Your small business could get funding to come up with an innovative solution to a government challenge, with access to early-stage development, testing and validation of a prototype, and a pathway to commercialization.
The Government of Canada is looking for innovators to solve challenges. As the single largest purchaser of Canadian goods and services, the Government of Canada has a unique opportunity to support the growth of Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs.
We need you, Canadian small businesses and innovators, to develop novel solutions to these challenges. Through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, we’re partnering with eligible Canadian small businesses and facilitating the early development, testing and validation of prototypes, as well as preparing a pathway to commercialization.
- If your idea is selected, you could receive funding to develop a proof of feasibility.
- If your proof of feasibility is approved, you could receive funding to develop a prototype.
- If the developed innovation solves the Government of Canada’s challenge, we could be your first buyer.
- Funding amounts are identified in each individual challenge.
Who can apply?
Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:
- for profit
- incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
- 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- research and development activities that take place in Canada
- 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada
- 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work
- 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence
How it works?
The Innovative Solutions Canada program is structured around a graduated, three phase process:
- Phase 1 (Proof of concept)If your proposal is selected, you will receive up to six months and up to $150,000 in funding to develop a proof of concept for your solution. The Department of National Defence is the only department which may exceed this amount of funding to develop a proof of concept.
- Phase 2 (Prototype development)With a successful concept, you would then be eligible to receive up to two years and up to $1 million in funding to support prototype development. The Department of National Defence is the only department which may exceed this amount of funding to develop a prototype.
- Phase 3 (Pathway to commercialization)Based on the success of the prototype developed in Phase 2, the federal department or agency that supported the early stage research and development may opt to procure the novel technology or service from the eligible Canadian small business. In Phase 3, funding is to be provided by resources other than the set-asides in Phases 1 and 2. There is no minimum or maximum a department can decide to spend.