ACOA — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (REGI) ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Atlantic Canada - Startups and early-stage companies with AI commercialization potential - Established businesses in priority sectors seeking AI adoption - Partnerships and consortia involving businesses, research institutions, and industry associations - Not-for-profit organizations and research institutions in collaboration with commercial partners - Sole proprietors and incorporated companies registered in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador) - Businesses must demonstrate operations or significant activity in Atlantic Canada ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant amount: Typically ranges from $50,000 to $500,000+ depending on project scope and regional priorities - Cost-sharing requirement: Generally 50% or more of eligible project costs must be contributed by the applicant or partners (non-repayable contribution model) - Repayability: Non-repayable contributions (grants, not loans) - Funding structure: May include a combination of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) contributions and partner co-investment - Budget allocation: Funding distributed based on project merit, regional economic impact, and strategic alignment with ACOA priorities ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - AI research and development for new or improved products and services - Technology acquisition and implementation (software, hardware, AI tools, platforms) - Commercialization activities including market testing, prototyping, and proof-of-concept development - Professional services (consulting, technical expertise, training to support AI adoption) - Employee salaries and wages directly involved in the AI project (limited percentage of budget) - Equipment and infrastructure necessary for AI development and deployment - Export marketing and internationalization efforts for AI-enabled products - Skills development and workforce training in AI and related technologies - Sector-specific AI applications in agriculture, clean technology, life sciences, manufacturing, and other regional priority sectors ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - **