• Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates supports innovation from idea generation to commercialization. It also provides financial support, expertise, networks and research services to small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta to help them develop and commercialize new technologies and ideas, enter new markets, and grow.

Funding Type:

Alberta Innovates provides several programs for different applications and offer financial support and expertise/coaching programs. The main programs include the Product Demonstration Program, Voucher/Micro-voucher Programs, and the Commercialization/R&D Associates Programs.

  • Product Demonstration Program

    Provides grants up to $300k to firms to fund product demonstration with a potential customer/alliance.

  • Voucher Program

    Provides grants up to $100k to promising tech-based firms to fund up to three service providers in technology development efforts.

  • Micro-Voucher Program

    Provides grants up to $10k to promising tech-based firms to fund a service provider in technology development efforts.

  • Commercialization Associates Program

    Provides grants up to $112k to help firms employ a highly trained resource for commercialization efforts.

  • R&D Associates Program

    Provides grants up to $74.5k to help firms employ a highly trained resource for technology development efforts and commercialization acceleration.

Eligible Activities & Expenditures:

The list of eligible activities and expenditures will differ between programs, but ultimately the goal should be to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative technologies, products, processes or services.

  • Product Demonstration Program
    • To demonstrate a prototype to potential customers or distributors, to reduce the time to market
    • Eligible costs include those directly related to the project that are reasonable (i.e. not exceeding market price) and incur after approval and between arm’s length entities

    Learn more about the PDP Program

  • Voucher Programs
    • To work with Service Providers for business and technology development purposes (e.g. new product R&D, advanced prototype testing, advanced market assessments)
    • Eligible costs include those directly related to the project that are reasonable (i.e. not exceeding market price) and incur after approval and between arm’s length entities

    Learn more about the Voucher Program

  • Associates Programs
    • To hire a highly trained resource to accelerate technology development and commercialization efforts
    • Eligible expenses include those directly related to the project or directly related to the search for/hire of the associate

For most programs, the applicant is expected to contribute at least 25% of total eligible costs.

Who Qualifies?

  • Small and medium-sized SMEs in Alberta, incorporated and profit-oriented
  • Have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
  • High potential, high growth, technology and knowledge-based firms

Alberta Innovates’ has a wide variety of programs. In addition to their general programs, that do not apply to one single sector (e.g. Product Demonstration, Voucher, Associates Programs, etc.), there are opportunities available for projects that apply to specific sectors such as Agriculture & Food, Health & Life Sciences, and Energy & Resources.

Industry Sectors of Interest for Alberta Innovates:

  • ICT digital

  • Manufacturing & Materials

  • Agriculture & Food

    – Smart Agriculture and Food Innovation

  • Health & Life Sciences

    – Accelerating Innovations into CarE Market Access (AICE)
    – Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU)

  • Energy & Resources

    – Alberta Bio Future
    – Bioenergy
    – Carbon Capture and Utilization
    – Cleaner Hydrocarbon Production
    – Climate Change Innovation and Technology Framework
    – Innovative Hydrocarbon Products
    – Land and Biodiversity
    – Renewable and Alternative Energy
    – Water Innovation

  • Construction

  • Other

Deadline:

Timelines and intake will vary per program, however most general programs such as the Product Demonstration Program, Voucher Programs, and Associate Programs have open intake.

For assistance in preparing your submission and to position your application for approval contact EVAMAX Group to help you with the process. You may also email us at info@evamax.com or call 1-877-711-7733.

SR&ED

Digital Media

Global R&D

Innovation

Hiring & Training

Advisory Services

Exports

Clean Tech & Green Tech

Capacity Expansion