{ "name": "Northwestern Ontario AI & business funding programs", "description": "A verified, source-linked dataset of 19 AI, technology, and business funding programs open to Northwestern Ontario. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines are set by each program — confirm directly before relying on a figure here.", "generatedAt": "2026-09-01", "source": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding", "programs": [ { "id": "fednor-raii", "name": "Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)", "source": "FedNor", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/fednor-raii", "maxAmount": "Varies — confirm with program", "coverage": "Up to 50% of capital costs; up to 75% of non-capital costs (for-profits)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Supports AI commercialization and adoption in Northern Ontario — helping AI scale-ups bring products to market and assisting SMEs in integrating AI into their operations. A two-phase application via the FedNor portal; contact a FedNor officer to begin.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://fednor.canada.ca/en/our-programs/regional-artificial-intelligence-initiative-raii-northern-ontario" }, { "id": "fednor-bsp", "name": "Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)", "source": "FedNor (REGI)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/fednor-bsp", "maxAmount": "$500,000", "coverage": "Up to 50% of eligible costs (repayable contribution)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake — limited budget", "status": "Active", "description": "Repayable contributions to help established Northern Ontario businesses accelerate growth, adopt innovative technologies, enter new markets, and improve productivity. Well-suited to technology adoption and digital transformation projects.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://fednor.canada.ca/en/our-programs/regional-economic-growth-through-innovation-regi/business-scale-and-productivity-northern-ontario" }, { "id": "fednor-rtri", "name": "Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)", "source": "FedNor", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/fednor-rtri", "maxAmount": "$1,000,000 non-repayable (more available as repayable)", "coverage": "Up to 50% of costs (non-repayable to $1M); up to 75% (repayable above $1M)", "deadline": "Open to March 31, 2028", "status": "Active", "description": "Helps Northern Ontario SMEs hurt by trade tariffs diversify markets, boost productivity, and build supply-chain resilience. Eligible activities include technology and automation investments, supply-chain optimization, reshoring, and market development.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://fednor.canada.ca/en/our-programs/regional-tariff-response-initiative" }, { "id": "fednor-nodp-ced", "name": "Northern Ontario Development Program — Community Economic Development", "source": "FedNor", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/fednor-nodp-ced", "maxAmount": "Varies — confirm with program", "coverage": "Up to 33% of capital costs; up to 50% of non-capital costs", "deadline": "Continuous Intake — limited budget", "status": "Active", "description": "Funds community economic development projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and not-for-profits — strategic planning, feasibility studies, workforce attraction, downtown revitalization, and economic-development internships.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://fednor.canada.ca/en/our-programs/northern-ontario-development-program-nodp/community-economic-development" }, { "id": "noic-bbaa", "name": "Building Blueprints for AI Adoption (BBAA)", "source": "Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/noic-bbaa", "maxAmount": "$20,000", "coverage": "Up to 50% of eligible project costs", "deadline": "Verify with program — limited funding", "status": "Active", "description": "Helps Northwestern Ontario SMEs explore and implement AI to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. Applicants complete a 30/60/90-day AI adoption plan; funding reimburses eligible AI software, consulting, and integration costs.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.nwoinnovation.ca/programs/bbaa/" }, { "id": "ssmic-bbaa", "name": "Building Blueprints for AI Adoption (BBAA) — Algoma-Manitoulin", "source": "Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/ssmic-bbaa", "maxAmount": "$20,000", "coverage": "50% of approved Total Eligible Project Costs, up to $20,000 per SME", "deadline": "Application open — waitlist for upcoming cohorts; spots are limited", "status": "Active", "description": "The same BBAA program NOIC runs in the Northwest, delivered by SSMIC for the Algoma-Manitoulin region. Helps SMEs build a structured AI adoption roadmap and offsets the cost of putting it in place. Businesses in Northwestern Ontario apply through NOIC; the rest of the region applies here.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-26", "sourceUrl": "https://www.ssmic.com/funding" }, { "id": "norcat-raii-micro-grant", "name": "RAII AI Adoption Micro-Grant", "source": "NORCAT Innovation", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/norcat-raii-micro-grant", "maxAmount": "$20,000", "coverage": "50% of approved Total Eligible Project Costs, up to $20,000 per SME", "deadline": "Rolling intake until funding is exhausted; no applications accepted after February 1, 2027", "status": "Active", "description": "The Greater Sudbury route to AI adoption money, delivered by NORCAT under the federal Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Funds AI integration alongside mentorship and training. Costs are reimbursed after you have paid the provider.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-26", "sourceUrl": "https://www.norcat.org/innovation/raii.html" }, { "id": "noic-costarter", "name": "Costarter Accelerator", "source": "Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/noic-costarter", "maxAmount": "Non-dilutive contribution + office space", "coverage": "Cash investment plus 13 weeks of office space and mentorship", "deadline": "Verify with program — between intakes", "status": "Verify", "description": "A 13-week intensive accelerator for early-stage entrepreneurs in the Thunder Bay or Kenora districts ready to commit full-time. Provides a non-dilutive cash contribution, co-working space, mentorship, and investor connections for scalable ideas with early prototypes.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.nwoinnovation.ca/programs/costarter/" }, { "id": "nohfc-invest-north-launch", "name": "NOHFC Invest North — Launch", "source": "Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nohfc-invest-north-launch", "maxAmount": "$200,000", "coverage": "Up to 50% of total eligible project costs (conditional contribution)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "A conditional contribution to help entrepreneurs launch new businesses in Northern Ontario. Covers eligible capital costs — equipment, leasehold improvements, IT systems, and limited marketing. The business must be operating 6 months or less, and the owner must work full-time.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://nohfc.ca/private-programs/invest-north-launch/" }, { "id": "nohfc-invest-north-grow", "name": "NOHFC Invest North — Grow", "source": "Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nohfc-invest-north-grow", "maxAmount": "$1,000,000 loan / $400,000 grant", "coverage": "Grant up to 20% of costs; loan up to 50%; hybrid option available", "deadline": "Quarterly: Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31", "status": "Active", "description": "Helps existing Northern Ontario businesses expand through a mix of grant contributions and/or term loans. Three structures: contribution-only (to $400K), hybrid contribution-plus-loan (to $1M combined), or loan-only (to $1M). Projects must create or retain full-time jobs.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://nohfc.ca/private-programs/invest-north-grow/" }, { "id": "nohfc-invest-north-innovation", "name": "NOHFC Invest North — Innovation", "source": "Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nohfc-invest-north-innovation", "maxAmount": "$2,000,000", "coverage": "Up to 50% of eligible costs (R&D to $500K; combined R&D/demo/commercialization to $2M)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Supports research, development, and commercialization of new technologies in Northern Ontario — technical labour, prototyping, testing and certification, IP protection, and commercialization-tied marketing. Apply alone or partnered with an academic or research institution.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://nohfc.ca/private-programs/invest-north-innovation/" }, { "id": "nohfc-workforce-development", "name": "NOHFC Workforce Development Program", "source": "Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nohfc-workforce-development", "maxAmount": "$35,000 per internship / year", "coverage": "Up to 50% of intern salary (businesses); up to 90% (municipalities, Indigenous communities, non-profits)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Subsidizes internship wages so Northern Ontario organizations can hire and train new workers in skilled trades, technology, and professional roles. Up to two funded positions at once; interns must be 18+ and legally entitled to work in Canada.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://nohfc.ca/public-program/workforce-development-program/" }, { "id": "nrc-irap", "name": "NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)", "source": "National Research Council Canada (NRC)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nrc-irap", "maxAmount": "Varies — scoped with your NRC Industrial Technology Advisor", "coverage": "Financial contributions for R&D plus advisory support", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Canada's flagship innovation funding for SMEs developing and commercializing technology products and services. Provides R&D contributions plus advice from an Industrial Technology Advisor. Streams include Core, AI Assist, and Clean Technology.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/about-nrc-industrial-research-assistance-program" }, { "id": "sred-tax-credit", "name": "Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive", "source": "Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/sred-tax-credit", "maxAmount": "Up to 35% refundable credit on up to $6M of eligible R&D (CCPCs)", "coverage": "35% refundable ITC for CCPCs; 15% for other businesses", "deadline": "Filed annually with your corporate tax return", "status": "Active", "description": "A federal tax incentive that reduces income tax payable — or provides a cash refund — for qualifying R&D done in Canada. Applies to basic research, applied research, and experimental development, and can stack with provincial R&D credits. Changed in 2026: Budget 2025 (Bill C-15) doubled the enhanced-credit expenditure limit from $3M to $6M, retroactive to tax years beginning on or after December 16, 2024, and raised the taxable-capital phase-out to $15M–$75M.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html" }, { "id": "futurpreneur-core-startup", "name": "Futurpreneur Canada — Core Startup", "source": "Futurpreneur Canada", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/futurpreneur-core-startup", "maxAmount": "$75,000", "coverage": "Up to $25,000 Futurpreneur loan + up to $50,000 BDC co-loan, plus 2 years of mentorship", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Startup financing and a mandatory two-year mentorship for entrepreneurs aged 18–39, including in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Combines a Futurpreneur loan with a BDC co-investment loan for up to $75,000 total.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://futurpreneur.ca/en/offering/core-startup/" }, { "id": "ontario-starter-company-plus", "name": "Starter Company Plus", "source": "Ontario · Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/ontario-starter-company-plus", "maxAmount": "$5,000", "coverage": "Grant up to $5,000 plus training and a three-month mentorship (applicant investment required — confirm the current terms)", "deadline": "2026 intake closed — ask the Entrepreneur Centre about the next intake", "status": "2026 Intake Closed", "description": "A provincial grant and training program for Ontario entrepreneurs starting, buying, or expanding a small business — up to 15 hours of training, business-plan help, a grant up to $5,000, and a three-month mentorship. A dedicated Indigenous stream is available locally. Applications for the 2026 program are closed; the program runs in intakes, so check with the Entrepreneur Centre for the next one.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://gotothunderbay.ca/supportprograms/starter-company-program/" }, { "id": "ontario-summer-company", "name": "Summer Company", "source": "Ontario · Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/ontario-summer-company", "maxAmount": "$3,000", "coverage": "Up to $3,000 in seed funding plus coaching", "deadline": "2026 deadline was May 15 (closed) — reopens each spring", "status": "2026 Intake Closed", "description": "Up to $3,000 in seed funding plus hands-on coaching for full-time students aged 15–29 who want to start and run a summer business, working with local business leaders throughout the program. The 2026 application deadline (May 15) has passed; the program reopens seasonally each spring.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students" }, { "id": "nadf-business-loans", "name": "NADF Business Loans (incl. Microloans & Indigenous Women in Business)", "source": "Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF), Thunder Bay", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/nadf-business-loans", "maxAmount": "$500,000 (up to $1M in exceptional cases)", "coverage": "Loans at 8.5%–12%; minimum 10% cash equity (ages 18–39)", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Business loans and advisory support for Indigenous entrepreneurs and majority Indigenous-owned businesses across Northern Ontario, including Thunder Bay. Specialized streams include microloans, winter-road financing, and the Indigenous Women in Business Program.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.nadf.org/loans" }, { "id": "thunder-bay-ventures-cfdc", "name": "Thunder Bay Ventures — Community Futures Loans", "source": "Thunder Bay Ventures (CFDC, FedNor-funded)", "url": "https://thunderbayai.com/funding/thunder-bay-ventures-cfdc", "maxAmount": "$600,000 (NWOIP) / $150,000 (term loans)", "coverage": "Flexible repayable loans; rates by term & risk", "deadline": "Continuous Intake", "status": "Active", "description": "Flexible business loans for startups and expansions in the Thunder Bay area through the FedNor-funded Community Futures network — term loans to $150K, fast microloans, and larger NWOIP loans to $600K, plus free business counselling.", "lastVerified": "2026-07-10", "sourceUrl": "https://www.thunderbayventures.com/funding/" } ] }