• Innovative, growth-oriented for-profit companies

• Companies registered and operating in one of IION's service districts: Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka

• Companies must have a business model and strategy that validates forecasted sales and employment growth

• Companies seeking assistance for developing, commercializing, or scaling their innovative product or processthat has the potential to increase revenue and employment

• Companies operating as restaurants, wholesalers, distributors or re-sellers

• Not-for-profits and municipalities

• Hobby and part-time businesses

• Companies registered outside of IION's catchment area (districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka)

• On-going operational costs including staff wages, rolling stock or any other internal costs associated with the project

• Pre-diems- food & beverage costs when traveling, promotional giveaways, such as pens, notebooks, branded merchandise, or company-branded clothing

Yes, early-stage or pre-revenue businesses can apply, but only if they’ve demonstrated real progress toward launching and growth. Applicants must have a strong business case supported by market research and should already be developing a minimum viable product. While you don’t need employees yet, your application should clearly show how the project will lead to growth and job creation within the IION catchment area. The program isn’t intended for idea-stage businesses.

1. The company contacts the program lead (Emily Ryan) to determine eligibility and discuss the proposed project(s)

2. If the company and project(s) are eligible, the application link will be emailed to the company. The company will complete the application (including all required quotes) and submit it online

3. The program lead will review one draft submission by providing comments about application completeness via email

4. IION accepts applications throughout the month, with the last business day serving as the monthly intake deadline.

   We encourage businesses to apply early to allow time for IION to review and provide feedback.

   Please note: Applications must be submitted before any project expenses are incurred. You may begin incurring costs once your final application has been submitted to IION; if approved, eligible costs will be reimbursed up to the approved funding amount.

5. The SFEP committee will review your application within the first 14 days of the following month

6. Once the review is complete, you will receive an email from IION to inform you of the committees decision

• Approved companies must register as an IION client, the registration link will be emailed to you once approved.

• Approved companies have 6-months (or by the programs deadline) to complete the project from date of approval

• IION will process one reimbursement at the end of the project. The company is required to pay the contractors invoices, including any HST applicable, then submit a claim to IION for 50% reimbursement, up to the grant amount (no HST). The claim must include all final invoices and proof of payment.

• Companies will be reimbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) upon receipt of the claim with the final invoice(s) and proof of payment

• Successful applicants will be required to complete a mandatory SFEP survey as well as a mandatory annual survey

Applications must be received prior to incurring costs associated with the project. Costs incurred prior to an application submission will not be eligible.

If applicants choose to do so, they can begin incurring costs once IION has the final application submission and the applicant receives an email indicating the application is being sent to the committee.

If the application is approved, the costs, up to the grant amount, will be reimbursed.

Companies are eligible for one SFEP grant during the duration of the program. The current SFEP runs from June 2024 to March 2027, and each company can receive funding only once within that period.

If you received SFEP funding in one of the past program iterations, contact Emily to discuss eligibility.