ALBERTA’S START-UP GRANTS ARE HERE

• Why few start-up grants exist
• Start-up grants presented in the following categories: Indigenous and technology
• Three secret gems
• Other start-up resources

Contrary to what you probably heard, you will find few grants for start-up companies. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Governments are risk adverse; they are reluctant to give money to start-up businesses.
Everyone knows that most businesses start and fail within a couple years.
Most grants are for established businesses (and established non-profits).
Some grants do exist for start-up businesses, and we present them here for your convenience.

If you would like to learn more about how grants work for start ups, you can sign up for my Startup Grant Course.

Value: Funding maximums are up to $99,999 for Aboriginal individuals and incorporated businesses and up to $250,000 for community owned businesses.

Description: ABED works with Aboriginal entrepreneurs, communities, and organizations to achieve their business goals by providing a range of services and support that promote the growth of a strong Aboriginal business sector. Support will vary depending upon the needs of the client, the availability and sources of funding, the eligibility of costs, the economic benefits, and the project viability.

Eligibility: Clients must be individuals of Canadian Aboriginal heritage — Status or Non-status Indian (on or off-reserve), Métis or Inuit — or a majority-owned Aboriginal business, or an Aboriginal community and/or development corporation

To be eligible for support, clients should also be involved full-time with the proposed business in a management capacity and must be able to provide some level of cash equity to support the project

Eligible Expenses:

• Business planning
• Establishment (capital) costs
• Business acquisitions
• Business expansions
• Marketing initiatives that are local, domestic, or export oriented
• New product or process development
• Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness
• Operating costs in association with capital costs
• Financial services, business support, business-related training, and mentoring services

Deadline: Ongoing. Speak with regional Aboriginal Financial Institution (AFI) before applying.

Contact: Alberta Métis Development Inc. (AMDI) | 780-452-7951 or 1-800-252-7963 | office@amdi.co

Website: http://apeetogosan.com/

Micro-Voucher | Alberta Innovates:

Value: Up to $10,000, paid directly to a Service or Product Provider.

Description: The Micro-Voucher is designed to support technologies in the early developmental stages, from TRL 2 to TRL 4 inclusive – for early start-up development. The Service or Product Provider provides any one or more of the following items for the benefit of the Applicant:

• Market assessments
• Business plan development
• Intellectual property assessments
• Acquisition of materials and/or equipment critical to the Applicant’s operations
• The Applicant must pay a minimum cash contribution of 25% of the Project Costs directly to the Service or Product Provider. Strategic Timelines Inc. is a service provider for this program.

Eligibility:

The Service or Product Provider (applicable for the Micro-Voucher Program only) – the person or entity named in the Application who is providing services and/or products to the Applicant during the course of the Project must meet the following criteria:

• Must have demonstrated qualification, capabilities and capacity to successfully perform the work required or deliver the applicable product in or for the project in a timely manner
• Must be Arm’s Length from the Applicant (cannot have any legal relationship with the Applicant
• Does not have an outstanding balance or otherwise owe money to an Alberta Innovates organization, subsidiary, or partner
• Must provide the service(s) and/or product(s) at reasonable market rates

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact: Technology Development Advisors | 403-210-5229 | Intake@albertainnovates.ca

Website: https://albertainnovates.ca/programs/micro-voucher/

Alberta Digital Traction | Alberta Innovates:

Value: Up to $50,000 for small-and medium-sized Alberta enterprises (SMEs).

Description: Alberta Digital Traction is a funding program of up to $50,000 for small-and medium-sized Alberta enterprises (SMEs) that have software development at the core of one or more of their products and/or services.

Eligibility:

The program fits for-profit Alberta SMEs at the validating stage of their journey and have high-growth potential. A partial list of qualifications includes the following:

• a digital innovation that offers a significant competitive advantage over existing solutions,
• a minimum viable product (MVP) to test,
• a technology that could scale up in one to two years, if successful, and
• customer acquisition targets and strategy for the next three years.

Eligible project activities included in a milestone may include:

• Customer and/or client discovery;
• Digital market assessment and segmentation analysis;
• Data-driven, online market assessment testing;
• Product development based on client feedback;
• Advanced market assessment or segmentation analysis; or
• Advanced sales and/or marketing strategies.

Deadline: Continuous intake.

Contact: Technology Development Advisors | 403-210-5229 | intake@albertainnovates.ca
Tracey Kelly, Business Partner – Entrepreneurial Investments, Regional Innovation | 403-210-5320 | Tracey.Kelly@albertainnovates.ca

Website: https://albertainnovates.ca/programs/alberta-digital-traction/

Description:

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Value-Added Program supports the diversification and growth of Alberta’s value-added food and bio-industrial processors through investment in projects that increase company sales and production capacity, expand market opportunities and create jobs in Alberta.

The program has 2 streams:

• Value-Added Stream A: (maximum grant $50,000) applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria
• Value-Added Stream B: (grant over $50,000 to maximum grant $250,000) applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria and merit scoring

Eligibility:

To be eligible, an applicant must be:

• a bio-industrial processor or food processor that is in the business of changing an agricultural product into a value-added product
• an individual or a corporation registered in Alberta that is operating in Alberta, or that can establish to the satisfaction of the minister that it will operate in Alberta

For the purposes of Stream B, an applicant must also have $100,000 or greater in global annual gross sales at the time of application.

Eligible activities:

Applicants can apply for activities under one or more of these funding categories:

• processing capacity expansion
• food safety improvement
• new product and process development
• market development and access

Deadline: Accepting applications: April 3 to May 15, 2023.

Contact: Value-Added Program team | 310-FARM (3276) | s-cap.valueaddedprograms@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://www.alberta.ca/value-added-program.aspx

As we’ve been building the Alberta Business Grants database for years, we’ve come across government funded programs.

Are they exactly grants? No. But they are government programs you can benefit for free.

FREE GOVERNMENT FUNDED SELF-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

It’s a training program designed to help Albertans get into business quickly. The folks at the Microbusiness Training Centre are awesome. A program exists in Calgary too.

Here is my interview with the program’s President and Managing Director:

Learn more here: https://microbusiness.ca/service/self-employment-training-now-online/

Here is the contact information: Call: 780-482-4462, email: microbiz@microbusiness.ca

Finding grants can be time consuming and painful, so I put my entire grant database online for you for FREE! Enjoy.

Grants can be a distraction. To help you navigate them wisely, I teach you about government grants on my YouTube channel.

While few grants exist for start-up businesses, Alberta has several government-funded and private organizations to help you get started. Here is a list to help you get started:

Description: Business Link is Alberta’s entrepreneurial hub. We are a non-profit organization that helps Alberta entrepreneurs start their own businesses. You’ve got an innovative idea and the motivation to take the next step. Now what? We’ll give you the tools to make your business idea a reality, and connect you with the most relevant small business resources to help bring your idea to life.

Contact: Business Link | 780-422-7722

Website: http://businesslink.ca/

Description: Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enabling women to build successful businesses. AWE provides unique programs and services to women at all stages of business through advising, financing, mentoring, and skills and network development.

We believe our communities and economies are stronger when women are full participants in entrepreneurship.

Contact: Alberta Women Entrepreneurs | 1 800-713-3558 | info@awebusiness.com

Website: https://www.awebusiness.com/

Description: Startup Canada is a grassroots network of entrepreneurs working together to build an environment for entrepreneurship in Canada. Through online platforms, grassroots Startup Communities and cross-sector initiatives, Startup Canada is advancing entrepreneurial momentum and a culture of entrepreneurship, as the voice of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Contact: Startup Canada | (613) 627-0787 | hello@startupcan.ca

Website: http://www.startupcan.ca/

Platform Calgary is focused on three core areas of work:

• Placemaking: at the Alastair Ross Technology Centre and The Inc., and the Platform Innovation Centre located at the heart of Calgary’s East Village neighbourhood.
• Acceleration: through our programs, and our ongoing work with TELUS in the TELUS Technology Accelerator and the new TELUS Technology Incubator
• Advocacy: through our participation in the Calgary Innovation Coalition, Calgary in the New Economy, our city’s 10 Year Economic Strategy, and the Alberta Innovation Corridor.

Contact: Platform Calgary │ (403) 284-6400 │ communications@platformcalgary.com

Website: https://platformcalgary.com/

Many programs focus on building better businesses, giving advice and consulting to help make the company stronger and more successful. VMSA Mentors support the individual entrepreneur. We ask “what’s keeping you up at night?” and dive into sorting through noise and distractions to address the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face.

Contact: Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta │ info@vmsalberta.org │ https://www.vmsalberta.org/contact

Website: https://www.vmsalberta.org/

Description: Formed as an independent corporation in 2008, Alberta Enterprise is a key component of the Government of Alberta’s goal of building a more sustainable, diversified technology industry in Alberta, one where home-grown innovation is encouraged and technology entrepreneurs have greater access to venture capital.

Our mission is to promote the development of Alberta’s venture capital (VC) industry. We achieve this by investing in VC funds that finance early stage technology companies and that have a commitment to Alberta – including a full-time presence in the province. We also support Alberta’s VC ecosystem by connecting investors, entrepreneurs, and experienced technology veterans who share our passion for building a bright, innovative Alberta.

In the long term, our activities will help Alberta claim a larger share of the venture capital invested in Canada. We anticipate venture funds will be more active in pursuing investments here with local lead investors and in looking at Alberta-based companies and technologies. Alberta’s investment community will also be better networked within Alberta, across Canada and internationally.

Contact: Alberta Enterprise | 1-877-336-3474 | info@alberta-enterprise.ca

Website: http://www.alberta-enterprise.ca/

Description: BDC is Canada’s business development bank and the only financial institution devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs.

BDC helps create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

• BDC supports entrepreneurs in all industries and at all stages of development from 118 business centres across Canada and online at bdc.ca
• BDC is committed to the long-term success of Canadian entrepreneurs and understands that a business is more than just dollars and cents
• BDC complements the role played by private-sector financial institutions and have been serving Canadian entrepreneurs since 1944
• BDC is a financially sustainable Crown corporation and operates at arm’s length from its sole shareholder, the Government of Canada

Contact: Business Development Bank of Canada | 1-888-463-6232

Website: https://www.bdc.ca/en/business-centres/alberta/edmonton/pages/default.aspx

Our rewards-based crowdfunding platform that helps small businesses in Alberta raise capital.

Through ATB BoostR, businesses can raise money, test ideas, and gain exposure and market insights from the crowd. All that in exchange of a reward—a product, service, or experience.

Entrepreneurs also get:

A team of supportive advisors that entrepreneurs can reach out to before, during and after their crowdfunding journey.

Coaching and guidance through monthly Crowdfunding 101 workshops in Calgary and Edmonton.

Opportunities for exposure through live pitch events and ATB’s marketing channels.

Helpful resources! Even if you’re not crowdfunding you can tap into these!)

BoostR is for businesses of all stages—from startup to well established—whether you’re looking to launch or reach the next level of growth.

Contact: ATB │1-800-332-8383

Website: https://www.atbboostr.ca/

Description: Looking for expert advice to grow your business? Want to connect with other business founders and achieve your goals? We help you grow – With ATB X experts, coaching and community. Our free 8 week accelerator program for established Albertan businesses is offered in-person (regulations permitting) or virtually each winter, spring and fall.

Eligibility:
You’ll need to meet the following requirements to join ATB X:

• Be an Alberta-based company
• Have one founder who can participate full time
• You made over $100K in annual general revenue in the last year

You’ll also need to have a business banking account with ATB before the start date of your cohort. Already banking with ATB Business? Please apply.

Contact: ATB │1-800-332-8383

Website: https://www.atb.com/business/accounts-and-services/entrepreneur-services/atb-x-accelerator/

Description: Programs (i.e. cash) that support business innovation and economic development in Western Canada.

Eligibility:

See each competition for specific answers, but in general, they follow this criteria for businesses (note non-profits have a separate program).

• For-profit businesses incorporated to conduct business in Canada
• Less than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (parents and subsidiaries included in final FTE count)
• Have been in operation for at least one year
• Have operating facilities located in Western Canada (defined as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba)
• Have a viable plan to commercialize (i.e., generate revenues from sales) an innovative, technology-driven, new or improved product, service or process within three years of project commencement
• Have sufficient intellectual property rights to carry out the proposed project and to commercially exploit the results of the project
• Have provided a current business plan, that includes elements of the proposed project and recent financial statements
• Have confirmed, at the time of application, funding from all other sources, including government and non-government (non-government funding must represent at least 50 percent of the proposed project costs)
• Are requesting no more than $3.5 million in WINN support

Contact: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)  | Telephone: 780-495-4164
Toll Free: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development.html

Description: For 30 years, Community Futures has been supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta. We are a community driven, non-profit organization with 27 offices in rural areas throughout Alberta. Each office is staffed by local business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

In other words, we live where you live, and reap the benefits of a strong local economy created by business entrepreneurs just like you! Read about some of the many successful businesses we have helped start-up and grow over the years.

We provide a wide range of small business loans, business coaching/training services and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

We also run a number of specialized business programs, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.

Contact: Community Futures Capital Region | 780-968-7013 | capitalregion.albertacf.com

Website: http://albertacf.com/

Description: We are a city of innovators with solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. Whether you launch here, land here, or pivot here, at Edmonton Unlimited, we are here for you. We provide free programming and resources that Edmonton’s innovators, big thinkers and problem solvers need to turn their ideas into solutions.

Contact: Edmonton Unlimited | hello@edmontonunlimited.com

Website: https://edmontonunlimited.com/

Description: Startup Edmonton is an entrepreneurial community hub. We connect entrepreneurs and product builders with skills, community and workspace to support them as they take ideas to reality.

We’re here to help you each step of the way. We have mentorship & programs, a vibrant community of peer support, and workspace that can grow with you.

Contact: Startup Edmonton | hello@startupedmonton.com

Website: https://www.startupedmonton.com/

Description: At Explore Edmonton, we’re all about connection. Our team has created a unique identity for Edmonton and developed a strong reputation in the eyes of people around the world who are looking for opportunity here. Through the relationships we create with our partners and stakeholders, we showcase our city’s capabilities, strengthen our global connections, and create diverse opportunities for investment in local industries. And we have a lot of fun doing it!

Explore Edmonton energizes the lives of all Edmontonians. By bringing in major events, we generate tourism dollars that support local businesses, help businesses attract talent by increasing the vibrancy of the city, and create a more compelling argument for improving city infrastructure, which benefits everyone. Our signature events—K-Days, Farm Fair International, and the Edmonton Pro Rodeo—bring the community together and are enjoyed by people of all ages, year after year.

Contact: Explore Edmonton | +1 780-401-7696 | info@exploreedmonton.com

Website: http://www.eedc.ca/

Description: For over 26 years, the Northern Alberta Business Incubator (NABI) has offered entrepreneurs and small businesses the office spaces, marketing resources, path finding advised, coaching, inspiration, capital and networking connections they need to improve their chances of survival and success at 5 years to 80%. Grow your business, manage the risk with NABI.

NABI provides excellent customer service to meet your needs.  We offer flexible month-to-month leases, readily available support services, access to meeting rooms, and opportunities to work with other NABI businesses.

Contact: NABI | 780.460.1000 | info@nabi.ca

Website: http://www.nabi.ca/

Description: Innovate Calgary is the innovation company of the University of Calgary. From ideation to commercialization, we offer the resources, facilities, and expert guidance you need to bring your innovation to Calgary, Alberta, and beyond.

Innovate Calgary partners with the University of Calgary to offer a wide range of program and funding opportunities to help innovators learn, grow, and succeed.

Contact: Innovate Calgary | (403) 270-7027

Website: https://innovatecalgary.com/

Description: By partnering with the best resources in and out of Calgary, we foster startups, connect founders and support the local business community with programming, events, and initiatives.

Contact: Startup Calgary│info@startupcalgary.ca

Website: https://www.startupcalgary.ca/

Description: Calgary Economic Development works with business, government and community partners to position Calgary as the location of choice for the purpose of attracting business investment, fostering trade and growing Calgary’s workforce.

Contact: Calgary Economic Development | 403-221-7831 | info@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

Website: https://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/

Description: Futurpreneur Canada makes it easier for aspiring young business owners to secure financing. And we’ve partnered with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to extend our support to you even further.

Contact: Futurpreneur Canada | +1 800-464-2923 | info@futurpreneur.ca

Website: http://futurpreneur.ca/en/get-started/financing-and-mentoring/

The Tundra A.C.E program is an exciting new initiative to help fast track the commercialization of near market ready technologies that solve some of industry’s most pressing problems. Learn more about the Tundra A.C.E program.

Contact: Tundra Process Solutions Ltd.│(403) 255-5222

Website: https://tundrasolutions.ca/news/tundra-ace-program-2/

Are you looking for a place to grow your food business? The Food Incubator offers shared commercial kitchens and private production spaces to meet the needs of early stage food companies. Members have access to the business incubator program, which provides support for product development, production, business fundamentals, and scaling distribution.

Since 2019, the Food Incubator has supported close to 100 businesses, with an economic output of approximately $15M, and has been an essential resource for lowering barriers to entry in the food ecosystem.

Contact: +1 403-237-2388 | accelerator@districtventures.ca

Website: https://www.ventureparklabs.ca/food-incubator

Startup TNT Investment Summit makes raising capital fun, fast and efficient. It offers early-stage tech companies the chance to receive $150,000+ in seed funding, while learning how to negotiate deal terms and manage the due diligence process in a friendly, casual atmosphere.

• Gain access to a growing network of more than 100 angel investors from the Startup TNT community

• Gain confidence in talking to investors and communicating your company’s unique value

• Learn how to build a data room and manage the deal screening process

• Increase your visibility and accelerate your investments

• Expose your company to a supportive community of enablers that can help you scale

Contact: Startup TNT | https://www.startuptnt.com/contact

Website: https://www.startuptnt.com/

Western Canadians who have a disability can access a network of business professionals and a world of resources through Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP). The EDP provides business information, training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counseling services.

Rural Communities

In rural communities, the program is delivered through Community Futures offices.

Urban Areas

In urban areas, Western Economic Diversification Canada works with organizations to deliver the program. For more information on the program and the services available contact the organization listed below that is nearest to you.

Alberta

Edmonton
Prospect Human Services Society
Telephone: 1.877.483.2562

Calgary
Momentum
Telephone: 403.272.9323

Rural Alberta
Community Futures Network of Alberta
Telephone: 1.877.482.3672

Website: https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/13643.asp

Apeetogosan is committed to providing profitable and sustainable financial services and support to clients who seek the means to attain economic self-sufficiency.

Services Provided Include:

• Small Business Loans
• Access to Small Business Grant (MEAP)
• Support Service Programs
• Business Advisory Services
  (Through Pinnacle Business Services Ltd.)

Like other business lending institutions, Apeetogosan’s future lies in the success of its clients. The loan process is designed to ensure that the ingredients for profitability are contained in the business proposal. We are here to help you along the path of turning your idea into a successful reality.

Contact: 780-452-7951 or 1-800-252-7963 │ office@amdi.co

Website: http://apeetogosan.com/

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) is a provincial Crown corporation with a private sector Board of Directors that provides producers, agribusinesses and other small businesses loans, crop insurance and farm income disaster assistance. AFSC has provided Alberta farmers with hail insurance for 80 years and has grown into a diverse corporation with several core business areas, including crop insurance, livestock price insurance, farm loans, commercial loans and farm income disaster assistance.

Contact: 1.877.899.2372 │ info@afsc.ca

Website: https://www.afsc.ca/home.aspx

SCALE AI’s Accelerating program is for startups who want to become bigger players in the word of artificial intelligence.

Programs certified through this program may receive up to $50,000 in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs per AI startup or SME focused on building applied AI products and services for supply chains.

Contact: SCALE AI │ info@scaleai.ca

Learn more: https://www.scaleai.ca/acceleration/

Accelerate Fund provides a source of funding as a first step in preparing for VC funding in the future upon execution of your business.
We invest in tech startups that are private, incorporated, and have a head office and more than 50% of employees located in Alberta. Typically, we focus on information and communications technology, clean and energy technology, life sciences, agriculture and biotech.

Contact: Accelerate Fund │ info@acceleratefund.ca

Website: https://www.acceleratefund.ca/funding/

At TECHNATION, we unite Canada’s technology sector, governments, and communities for Canada’s future. For more than 60 years, we’ve championed Canada’s technological future by helping to facilitate and enable the tech industry and government to work together to grow and evolve with new technology available.

From start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, to national and multi-national organizations, we invite you to join us and discover how the Canadian tech industry is working together to identify and develop pragmatic solutions to pressing national challenges and to influence national technology strategy in critical areas that matter to you.

Contact: TECHNATION │ 905-602-8345

Website: https://technationcanada.ca/en/

Startup Lloydminster works to support entrepreneurs by offering business coaching, networking opportunities and professional learning events.

Starting a small business can be a challenge, a business incubator helps nurture young companies until they have established themselves firmly in the community. A new entrepreneur can look to the incubator for hands-on management assistance, education, information, technical and vital business support services, networking resources, financial advice as well as advice on where to go to seek financial assistance. Startup Lloydminster cooperates with many other organizations to help provide you with the best service.

Contact: Startup Lloydminster | 1-888-299-7652 | info@startuplloyd.com

Website: https://www.startuplloyd.com/

Foresight is Canada’s cleantech ecosystem accelerator. We bring together industry, government, academia, investors, and innovators to address today’s most urgent climate issues and support a global transition to a green economy. Cleantech innovation starts here!

Our mission is to accelerate the growth and impact of cleantech ecosystems across Canada to achieve deep decarbonization and net-zero climate targets. We are focused on accelerating the global transition to a clean economy through problem-driven innovation.

Goals:

• Acceleration – Lead a series of problem-drive accelerator programs to support SMEs and innovators in reaching the market faster, and rapidly scaling success.
• Adoption – Expand Industry Innovation Program to identify innovation requirements to meet climate targets, and sourcing the innovation and solutions to match.
• Capital – Leverage private capital through matchmaking initiatives that engage early and later-stage investors, infusing much needed capital into cleantech innovation.
• Exports – Accelerate growth of cleantech ventures through connections to global markets, partners and customers. Supporting the growth of Canadian technologies in countries around the world.
• Ecosystem – Build a national cleantech network of engaged stakeholders representing a diverse range of regional, sectoral, and occupational interests.

Contact: Foresight | info@foresightcac.com

Website: https://foresightcac.com/

For students or recent grads with big dreams and an Entrepreneurial mindset:

Every year, we select 36 of the most entrepreneurial undergrads and recent grads from coast-to-coast who we believe have what it takes to build Canada’s next narwal.

Whether you have a pre-existing early stage startup that you want to take to the next level, or you have an idea that you want to turn into a reality, Next 36 can help. Same great founder development, delivered virtually.

Applications for the next cohort open: August 2021

Contact: NEXT | info@nextcanada.com

Website: https://www.nextcanada.com/next-36/

The Accelerator Centre is an award-winning startup accelerator dedicated to building and scaling sustainable, globally competitive companies and giving startups the highest probability of long-term success. We are ranked the #1 private business accelerator in Canada and are among the World Top 5 due, in part, to our reputation for meaningful, one-to-one mentorship and helping entrepreneurs go from the idea stage to high-growth enterprises.

Contact: The Accelerator Centre │ 519-342-2400 │ info@acceleratorcentre.com

Website: https://www.acceleratorcentre.com/

Founded in 2007, ACAMP is a unique industry-led advanced technology product development centre that entrepreneurs count on to move their innovation from proof-of-concept to manufactured product by providing access to multidisciplinary engineers, technology experts, unique specialized equipment, and industry acumen.

We focus on electronics hardware, firmware, software (ML/AI), sensors, and embedded systems. We are the only advanced technology product development group in Canada that provides a full range of support at each stage of the product development process.

ACAMP also supports the development of autonomous transportation technologies and is leading the Autonomous Systems for Transportation Consortium ― promoting collaboration between the Alberta government, local technology developers and multinational automotive companies.

Contact: ACAMP | +1.780.468.2443 | +1.403.291.8946 | info@acamp.ca

Website: https://www.acamp.ca/why-work-with-us/about/

One of Canada’s three centres of AI excellence as part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, Amii is an Alberta-based non-profit institute that supports world-leading research in artificial intelligence and machine learning and translates scientific advancement into industry adoption.

Amii’s Partners:

• Alberta Innovates
• CIFAR
• Government of Alberta
• University of Alberta

Contact: Amii │ hello@amii.ca

Website: https://www.amii.ca/

Description: We catalyze technological advancement by connecting blue chip corporations with the brightest startups across the globe. We are building a world-class innovation platform in Alberta to attract top technology and investment to the region and support Albertan entrepreneurs to scale and grow, hire tech talent, and propel digital transformation across the province.

• Corporate Innovation – We supercharge the innovation of over 500 industry-leading corporations by keeping them at the forefront of industry trends.
• Accelerator Programs – We run over 60 industry-focused accelerator programs in over 35 cities globally.
• Venture Capital- We invest in over 250 companies a year alongside the world’s best CVs

Contact: Plug and Play │ +1 408-524-1400

Website: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

Description: The Self-employment Program offers eligible Albertans who are looking to develop and start a new business with formal training, business plan development, one-to-one business counselling, coaching and guidance.

Self-employment Programs are developed by providers, and each program may offer different timeframes, course content and class sizes. All Self-employment Programs provide:

• instructor-led training and supports to develop your business plans
• one-to-one business counselling, coaching and guidance to implement your business

Self-employment training is provided at no cost to eligible Albertans. Financial assistance may be available for eligible participants who require funding to support their living costs while in training, depending on your circumstances.

Contact: Career advisor at the Alberta Supports Centre │ 1-877-644-9992

Website: https://www.alberta.ca/training-and-employment-services-self-employment-program.aspx

Value: The 2022/23 micro-grants offer four categories and six $5000 cash micro-grants.

Description: The IEF micro-grants exist to support Canadian entrepreneurs and small & medium sized enterprise (SME) business owners belonging to racialized and/or equity-deserving communities as they overcome and recover from the various global and regional business disruptions and impacts of recent years.

Deadline: February 14, 2023.

Contact: Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation │ info@ief-fie.ca

Website: https://www.ief-fie.ca/the-canie-microgrants/

Contact: support@albertabusinessgrants.ca

Website: https://grantwritingcourse.thinkific.com/courses/startup-grant-course

If you need to find grants, start searching for FREE.

If you have already found your grant, read the SIX questions to need to ask a grant agency before you write. Click here.

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