Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling

Odds

Not published

Effort

1–3 days

Can you get this?

✓For-profit innovative companies only

✓Must operate in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, or Muskoka

✓Must operate the business full-time

✕Not-for-profits and municipalities are not eligible

✕Restaurants, wholesalers, distributors, and re-sellers are not eligible

Your real odds

There is no published acceptance rate, and an external selection committee reviews applications monthly.

Competition resets each cycle because intake is ongoing with monthly deadlines rather than a single annual cohort. Each company can access funding twice, up to $10,000 per grant, so repeat applicants are capped and the pool stays relatively fresh.

What it takes

Confirm eligibility — complete IION's eligibility assessment and contact program lead Emily Ryan (emily@iion.ca) to discuss your project before applying1–3 days

Gather third-party quotes for all project costs, then complete and submit a draft application via Jotform for Emily's feedback1–2 weeks

Submit final application before incurring any project costs; the monthly intake deadline is the last business day of each monthSame month

If approved, complete the project within 6 months (or by March 1, 2027), pay contractors, then submit invoices and proof of payment for 50% reimbursementUp to 6 months

Worth knowing

Every project cost must go to third-party contractors or vendors, because internal staff wages and operational costs are not eligible. Submit your draft early in the month so Emily has time to flag gaps before the last-business-day deadline.

Apply on funder's site →

What else do you qualify for?

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