Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Business Scale-Up and Productivity — WD ### 📋 Eligible Entities - For-profit businesses operating in Western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees - Sole proprietors and partnerships engaged in commercial operations - Corporations registered and operating in eligible Western provinces - Businesses must demonstrate: - Canadian ownership or control - Active commercial operations for minimum 2+ years - Viable business plan with growth potential - Ineligible entities: - Non-profits and charities - Governments and public institutions - Primary agriculture, fishing, or trapping operations - Retail or wholesale businesses (with limited exceptions) ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant amount: Up to $250,000 per project (varies by province and program stream) - Funding model: Non-repayable financial contribution (grant, not loan) - Cost-sharing requirement: Minimum 25% of eligible project costs from applicant or other sources - Funding ratio: Government typically covers 50-75% of eligible expenses - Project scale: Supports investments ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000+ total project value - Payment structure: Reimbursement-based; funds distributed upon milestone completion and expense verification - Timeline for funding: Typically 12-36 months from approval to project completion ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses Technology & Innovation: - Purchase and implementation of advanced equipment and machinery - Software development and digital transformation tools - Research and development (R&D) activities - Technology adoption and commercialization costs Human Capital: - Salaries for new employees hired for scale-up initiatives - Training and skills development programs - Professional consulting and technical expertise fees Market Expansion: - Market research and feasibility studies - Product/service diversification initiatives - Export market development and international trade activities - Marketing and branding for new market entry Infrastructure & Operations: - Facility improvements and expansions - Supply chain optimization investments - Quality