The Ontario Flagship Program

The HTCP is comprised of 4 separate Canadian government funding programs; three are open for applications from Canadian small-medium size enterprises (SMEs) and one is open for applications from Multinational Corporations (MNEs). The only program that is currently open for submissions is the Ontario Flagship Program (OFP). Applicants for this Canadian business grant must be a MNE; however, SMEs and public organizations could also receive funding through partnership agreements with the MNEs. Typical projects range from $1.5M to $15M and span over 5 years. The HTX will cover up to 15% of the total project expenditures through performance-based grants or loans. The intentions of these funds are to promote R&D projects within Ontario and expand the export markets for Ontario’s Medical Technologies.

Eligibility for Research and Development Funding

Eligible projects must clearly align with the goals and objectives of the HTX program and apply to one of the market segments within the medical technology industry. Those who are considered eligible must be a multinational corporation with either current operations or intentions to operate within Ontario in the near future.  They must also have a partnering organization that could include an academic institution, SME, or healthcare organization; these do not have to be based in Ontario. This Ontario Government funding program may have the potential to be stacked with other Canadian government funding and financing programs from Federal agencies. These might include:

• SR&ED Tax Credit
• IRAP – Accelerated Review Process
• NSERC – Strategic Network Grants
• DFAIT – Going Global Innovation

These programs may not be applicable to all of the project’s participants and eligibility would have to be further discussed with representatives from the participating funding agencies.

Canadian Government Funding Assistance

The Ontario Flagship Program has a rolling admission; those who wish to apply can do so through the HTX Registration and Application Page. Applicants must develop a detailed business plan for the project and they are recommended to do so with the guidance of a HTX representative. Project costs that are incurred before the application process will not be considered eligible. For more information on the Canadian Government Funding Grants mentioned in today’s article, please contact one of our Canadian Government Funding Experts or follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our E-Newsletter.

When: March 20-22, 2012

Where: Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd. – M9W 1J1

Registration for this event is a requirement; however, membership with FABCANADA or any other organization is not required.

Canadian Industry Tradeshows

Businesses who are interested in learning more about this event can visit the FABTECH Online Exhibit Guide.  Early registration incentives are offered to those who do so before March 19,2012. For those who are interested in exhibiting at events like this, we recommend you read our articles on Business Funding Grants for Tradeshows or Canadian Government Grants for Business Expansion.  Prospective businesses could also contact one of our Canadian Government Funding Experts or subscribe to our E-Newsletter.

Eligibility Requirements: Do I Qualify for Canada Summer Jobs?

This government grant for small businesses does have some criteria that must be met by both the employer and potential student hires.

Eligible Employers must:

• Operate in Canada and have fewer than 50 full time employers.
• Not be a Federal/Provincial government department or agency.

Eligible Students must:

• Be between the ages of 15 and 30.
• Be a full time student who is intending on returning to studies in the next school year.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident and eligible to work in Canada.

Next Steps for Business Funding Applications

For those who are interested in more information on this business funding grant, please contact Mentor Works, The Canadian Government Funding Experts or fill out our Canada Summer Jobs Application Form. All applications must be submitted by the deadline of February 29^th, 2012 in order to be considered for funding.To keep up to date with other Canadian Government Funding Programs, please follow us on Twitter, or LinkedIn and subscribe to our new Weekly E-newsletter.

TEDx YorkU – Impact Matters

York University is holding a TEDx Event under a themed title: Impact Matters. This event will feature presentations that depict the many ways in which we are able to impact our world. Topics will cover the ideas, research, and performance leadership that will be affecting our world today and in the future.

When: March 10, 2012 – 9:30 am- 4:00 pm

Where: York University, Glendon Campus– Toronto , Ontario– 2275 Bayview Ave.

More event information and registration details will be available from York University’s Online Application Page.

TEDx McMasterU – Bridges & Barriers

McMaster University will also be holding a TEDx Event. The event will be titled ‘Bridges and Barriers’  and looks to discuss the challenges and opportunities of taking a multi-disciplinary approach to research and development projects. This could be especially useful for those who are receiving Research and Development funding for innovative projects.

When:  March 17, 2012 – 9:00 am–5:00 pm

Where: McMaster University, Council Chambers –Hamilton, Ontario –1280 Main St. W.

For more information on this event or its registration requirements, please visit McMaster University’s TEDx Homepage.

TEDx Waterloo – Dis Connected

TEDxWateloo is holding yet another event, this one will be titled Dis Connected. The theme is focused around the ongoing trend of disconnecting and reconnecting with the things that matter most to us. Featured speakers will include Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, renowned physicist Bilge Demirkӧz, entrepreneur Taylor Jones, and many others.

When: March 21, 2012 – 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Where: Centre in the Square – Kitchener, Ontario – 101 Queen St. N.

Event and Registration details can be found at the TEDxWaterloo Event Page.

Other Innovation and Networking Conferences

Businesses who are interested in keeping up to date with these types of innovation and networking seminars should subscribe to our News and Events Blog or follow us on Twitter. We also offer Free 60 Minute Canadian Government Funding Workshops every month at one of our offices in South Western Ontario. For more information, contact one of our Canadian Government Funding Experts.

Career Services for the University of Waterloo

As some of you may know, the University of Waterloo (UW) has the largest and most comprehensive co-op program in the world. Every year there are more than 16,000 undergraduate students enrolled in Co-operative programs and close to 4,000 graduate students that span over a wide array of academic disciplines.  Potential employers are able to access UW’s talent pool through their Co-operative Education & Career Services Department (CECS) or their Online Job Directory – JobMine.  These provide the services and software for businesses to be able to converse with potential candidates for their intern or permanent positions.

Canadian Government Funding Incentives for Co-op Students

The Canadian Government offers tax incentives and business funding grants for those who are looking to hire a co-op student for a 4-8 month co-op term.  One of the most popular Canadian business incentives for Co-op students is the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit. This can offer a tax rebate of 30% of your employee’s wages up to $3000 per term, in addition to their eligibility under the Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Credit (SR&ED).  Businesses are also able to stack these programs with other Canadian business funding grants to recruit their employee after they have graduated. The University of Waterloo is world renowned for their engineering co-op programs. They are also the primary recruitment institution for Microsoft and Google’s computer programmers and software developers.

Canadian Government Grants for Hiring Graduates

There is an abundance of post-secondary grads or graduate students from the University of Waterloo in the IT, Engineering, Accounting, and Science fields of study that are in search of employment. The Canadian Government provides a wide array of grant funding for businesses that are looking to provide a job opportunity. Some of the more popular Ontario business funding grants include:

• Connect Canada Internship
• Graduate Enterprise Internship – ISTEM
• ICTC – Career Focus
• MITACS Enterprise
• OCE – First Job
• Small Business Internship Program – SBIP
• Youth Employment Program

Small Business Funding Grants for Hiring

Speaking from experience, these hiring programs and initiatives are extremely beneficial for both the hiring organization and the intern. Both my co-worker and I were hired into our current positions through these Government funding programs. Almost 20,000 highly educated individuals are in search of employment opportunities each year; this allows for the employers to have their pick of the best and brightest prospects for their businesses. For more information on the Canadian Business Funding Grants mentioned in today’s article, please contact Mentor Works, the Canadian Government Funding Experts or attend one of our Free 60 Minute Government Funding Workshops.

This webcast will feature Alexander R. Malaket as their primary presenter.  Mr. Malaket has many years of experience with international finance institutions and is currently the President of OPUS Advisory Services International Inc.  As the presenter, he will review the basics of Canadian trade and supply chain finance and discuss the recent technological developments that have improved these transactions. He may also discuss the important roles of export credit agencies and international institutions that provide Risk Mitigation for Canadian exporters. This webcast would prove useful for any of our followers that are operating in one of Canada’s export or import markets.

When: Wednesday February 22, 2012 – 1:30pm-2:15pm EST.

Registration

The webinar is free for those who would like to participate; however, it does require registration from its attendees. Those who would like more information on the webcast itself or the registration details should complete FITT’s Online Application Form.

We recommend our articles on Canadian Government Funding for Small Business Expansion to those who are interested in learning more about the potential business funding grants for business expansion.  For any other inquiries regarding potential government funding programs we would like you to contact one of our Canadian Government Funding Experts or subscribe to our E-newsletter which is located on the right-hand side of our website.

The SMART Prosperity Now Program is a reimagined program that will replace CME’s former SMART Program.  The Prosperity Now Program will focus on encouraging the manufacturers in Southern Ontario to adopt new technologies and expand into foreign markets.  The SMART Prosperity Now Program differs from other Grant Funding for Business Expansion in that it also provides Canadian government grant funding for the adoption technology and equipment along with funding for PR and marketing expenditures.

Business Eligibility for Canadian Government Grant Funding

In order to be considered eligible for the CME Prosperity Now Program, the business must be a manufacturer within the South Western Ontario Region with the capabilities or intentions of exporting to foreign markets. The Canadian SMEs must be incorporated for at least 2 years and have between 15 – 1,000 employees.  Companies must produce products or services related to manufacturing; software development companies are not eligible for this particular Ontario business grant.

Eligible Projects for Canadian Business Grants

Projects funded by Ontario business grants must improve the productivity and exporting abilities of the business. CME recommends that these projects are not too large or complicated because all eligible projects will have a one year deadline for completion from their project start date. CME’s business funding grant will only provide a maximum of $75,000 or 33.3% of eligible expenses. Projects over $325,000 will not receive the same proportion of project funding as smaller projects. Businesses will be responsible for submitting a business plan and quotes regarding all of their project activities.

Some of the Eligible Project Areas Include:

• International Market Expansion – Developing a competitive strategy and a marketing mix
• New Market Development – targeting potential customers in foreign markets
• Commercialization – marketing research and product advertising
• Purchases of new or upgraded equipment and technologies
• Investments in Sustainable and Green Technologies – reducing waste, using alternative fuels
• Lean Productivity Improvement Investments (Materials are not eligible expenses)

Projects will not be considered eligible if they have received funding from other types of Canadian business grants. If your company has received business funding grants from CME’s previous SMART Program in the past, you would only be entitled to an overall sum $100,000 from both programs. SMART will only consider applications for projects that have not started before October 31, 2011 and are less than 50% complete at date of online application submission. However, you can only begin to incur project expenses after you submit your application, not before.

Eligible Activities for CME Business Funding Grants

Purchases of New or Upgraded Equipment and Technology

Eligible Expenses:

• Costs of purchasing capital (excluding land, buildings, vehicles, and intangible assets).
• Third Party Installation costs.

Ineligible Expenses:

• Consulting fees. This would include expenses for Engineering and Lean Process consultants as well as strategic planners.
• Direct labour and other training expenses associated with the implementation of the new equipment or technology will not be covered.

Foreign Trade Shows

Eligible Expenses:

• The booth rental or acquisition expenses.
• Registration for the tradeshow and booth space expenses.
• Trade show media advertising.

Ineligible Expenses:

• Travel expenses and accommodations of the employees.
• Shipping and transportation costs of the tradeshow materials.
• The promotional materials such as t-shirts and pens.
• Commissions of the tradeshow employees.

Commercialization

Eligible Expenses:

• Independent market research (it must be conducted by a consultant approved by CME).
• NEW Independent business marketing plans. This would include the expenses for an online marketing plan as long as it has some ‘offline’ components.
• Foreign customer testing of the product.
• All Costs associated with the public relations and press releases for exporting activities.

Ineligible Expenses:

• The expenses associated with implementing the marketing plan would not be eligible(media advertising, media placement, and promotional materials).
• Product brochures that are developed by a third party distribution and shipping costs of these are not covered.

Foreign Regulation Compliance

Eligible Expenses:

• Foreign legal costs; including expenditures for patents in foreign countries and regulation approval testing.
• Packaging redesign for foreign markets carried out by a third party. These would include changes to instructions, packaging and warranties regarding possible cultural differences or language barriers.
• Foreign Website Development. This only applies to websites that require translation into a new language. Website updates and improvements that are not related to foreign market expansion will not be considered eligible.

Ineligible Expenses:

• The shipping and communication costs regarding packaging or other activities would not be covered.
• Transportation and accommodation costs are not covered.
• Any fines or penalties incurred from non-compliance with foreign regulations.
• Fees for administrators (administrative fees regarding CME reporting would be considered eligible for up to 5% of the project cost)

Learning More about Funding for Small Business

Manufacturers in Southern Ontario who are interested in this program should create an account via the CME SMART Prosperity Now Online Application Page. If you would like to acquire more information or be kept up-to-date with this program, please contact one of our Government Funding Experts or subscribe to our blog or E-newsletter which is located on the right-hand side of this page.