Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems — WD ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Not-for-profit organizations (primary applicants) - Regional economic development organizations - Business support service providers - Organizations serving businesses at all stages of development (startups through established enterprises) - Organizations focused on supporting under-represented groups in business (women entrepreneurs, Indigenous businesses, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, youth, rural entrepreneurs) - Organizations operating in Western Canada (WD jurisdiction) ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable financial contribution - Funding Structure: Direct grant to not-for-profit organizations (not to individual businesses) - Amount: Specific funding levels not detailed in description; varies by project scope - Matching Requirements: Likely requires organizational co-funding or in-kind contributions (standard for WD programs) - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (contribution-based) - Distribution: Funds flow through not-for-profit intermediaries to support businesses indirectly ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Business support network enhancement and development - Scaling support services for businesses at various development stages - Training and mentoring programs for under-represented entrepreneurs - Market access and competitiveness programming - Global competitiveness initiatives (export readiness, market expansion) - Infrastructure for business support ecosystems - Targeted support services for under-represented business groups - Administrative costs to deliver programming to eligible businesses ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Applicant Type: Only not-for-profit organizations can apply directly; individual businesses are ineligible as primary applicants - Geographic Focus: Must operate in Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or British Columbia) - Target Beneficiaries: Programs must prioritize or clearly benefit under-represented groups in entrepreneurship - Accountability: Grantee must demonstrate impact on business scaling and global competitiveness outcomes - Reporting Requirements: Progress reporting likely required against agreed milestones and performance metrics - Matching Contribution: Organization