NOHFC Invest North — Launch: up to $200,000 to start a new business in Northern Ontario

A conditional contribution covering up to 50% of eligible startup costs — equipment, IT, leasehold improvements, limited marketing — for new Northern Ontario businesses in their first six months.

NOHFC Invest North — Launch is a conditional contribution from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation that provides up to $200,000 to help entrepreneurs start a new business in Northern Ontario. It covers up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, including equipment purchases, building construction, leasehold improvements, IT and communications investments, and limited marketing expenses. To be eligible, the business must have been operating for six months or less at the time of application, and the owner must work full-time in it. Retail, accommodation, food service, and wholesale businesses are not eligible. Funding availability is limited and not all qualifying projects receive support — confirm your eligibility directly with NOHFC before building a business plan around this program.

What the Launch program funds

Launch covers capital costs directly tied to starting the business. NOHFC lists the following as eligible cost categories: new or used equipment purchases; building construction and land development; leasehold improvements and leased space upgrades; IT and communications investments; marketing for new products or the new business itself, capped at 20 percent of project costs or $75,000, whichever is lower; and third-party training, limited to 20 percent of project costs. Ineligible costs include operating expenses, working capital, inventory, vehicle and boat purchases, land purchase or lease, business acquisitions, R&D, residential property improvements, mineral exploration, and electricity generation projects.

Who qualifies — and who does not

The program targets new private-sector businesses starting operations in Northern Ontario. The owner must work full-time in the business, and the business must have been operating six months or less at the date of application. Professional services businesses filling a genuine gap in a small community — where that service is not currently available full-time locally — may be considered. Tourism businesses serving longer-stay visitors, specifically remote outfitters and vacation resorts, are noted as potentially eligible by NOHFC. General accommodation and food service businesses are not eligible.

• Retail and consumer service businesses are not eligible.
• Accommodation businesses, food service operations, and wholesale businesses are excluded.
• Hotels and motels — businesses primarily providing overnight lodging — are explicitly excluded.
• Beverage-alcohol manufacturers (distilleries, breweries, wineries, cideries) are excluded.
• Businesses that have been operating more than six months cannot apply under this program.

The funding structure: 50% coverage, 15% minimum cash

NOHFC contributes up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $200,000. The applicant must contribute at least 15 percent of total eligible costs from their own resources. Combined federal and provincial government funding from all sources cannot exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs — so if you are drawing on another government program alongside Launch, both contributions together must stay at or below that cap. If funded assets are sold after project completion, NOHFC may require reimbursement. Assets cannot be moved outside Northern Ontario within three years of project completion without NOHFC consent.

Is an IT or technology investment an eligible cost?

Yes. IT and communications investments are explicitly listed as an eligible cost category by NOHFC. For a new business in Northwestern Ontario setting up its digital infrastructure from day one — hardware, business software, networking, or communications systems — Launch can contribute to that capital cost. R&D projects and business acquisitions are specifically excluded, so the program applies to deploying and setting up technology rather than developing new products. Confirm the specific costs you plan to claim with NOHFC before applying.

Is Invest North Launch a grant or a loan?

Neither, exactly. NOHFC describes it as a conditional contribution — not a repayable loan with a repayment schedule, but not an unconditional grant either. The funding does not need to be repaid as long as you meet the program conditions: maintaining full-time operations, keeping funded assets in Northern Ontario for three years, and complying with the terms in the funding agreement. If you sell funded assets after the project is complete, NOHFC may require reimbursement. The conditions and their consequences are set out in each individual funding agreement.

How to apply — and when

Applications go through NOHFC and proceed in three phases: initial submission reviewed against program guidelines, an evaluation phase with additional information gathering, and a final decision by the NOHFC Board of Directors. Intake is continuous, but funding availability is limited and the board exercises discretion — not every qualifying project receives support. The practical implication of the six-month eligibility window is that the ideal time to engage NOHFC is during the planning phase, before or very shortly after launch. Contact NOHFC at 705-945-6700 or through the inquiry form at myportal.nohfc.ca to start the conversation.

Source: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation — Invest North Launch program (nohfc.ca/private-programs/invest-north-launch/). NOHFC inquiry line: 705-945-6700; portal: myportal.nohfc.ca. Program details, coverage percentages, eligible costs, and intake status can change — confirm directly with NOHFC before applying. This is general information, not funding advice.