Supports for Early-Stage, Pre-Revenue, Innovation Companies and Start-Ups for COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates & Resources

 

The federal government has announced $270 million in additional support for new start-ups, as well as for early-stage, pre-revenue companies, both of which had not been eligible for previous programs based on their unique circumstances.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

  • Pre-revenue companies who are not eligible for the existing $40,000 loans through the Canada Emergency Business Account can now apply for similar funding, either up to $40,000 or up to $1,000,000, to support their businesses.   Read more here. 

Innovation Assistance Program – Support for Pre-Revenue / Early-Stage / Innovation Firms

  • Applications closed Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 8:59 pm PST
  • $250 million has been committed in funding for the Innovation Assistance Program
  • The IAP provides a wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks
  • Eligibility
    • SMEs pursuing technology-driven innovation who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
    • Be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada
    • Be a company with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
    • Plan to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
    • Lack sufficient financial resources to sustain operations during the COVID-19 downturn period
    • Have a Canada Revenue Agency business number
    • Be incorporated by no later than March 1, 2020
  • Full info and application is live here 

Supports for New Start-Ups

  • $20 million in additional funding has been announced for Futurpreneur to support new businesses and entrepreneurs aged 18-39
  • Information on Futurpreneur’s work can be found online at https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/