Program Overview
– Alberta Innovates believes in the benefits of developing and commercializing new technology and knowledge-based products to Alberta’s global competitiveness.
– The Alberta Innovates has two voucher programs (Voucher Program and Micro-voucher Program) to support technology development and help small to medium-sized businesses reduce time to market and improve their competitiveness.
– These programs help subsidize the costs of service providers for the development of technologies in the mid-to-late developmental stages.
– Funding of up to $100,000 can be received to cover the costs of the following activities:
Company Eligibility
– Be a for-profit SME (fewer than 500 full time employees, less than $50M annual gross revenue).
– Demonstrate the relationship between the Applicant and the Service Provider does not create a conflict of interest.
– Have a physical presence in the province of Alberta.
– Be a legal entity:
- Incorporated in Alberta, or
- Incorporated federally AND extra provincially registered in Alberta, or
- A general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership AND registered in Alberta
– Be in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates and its subsidiaries (i.e. InnoTech Alberta, C-Fer Technologies)
Service Provider Eligibility
– At arm’s length from the applicant
– Provides services/products at reasonable market rates
– Be legally permitted to enter, remain in, and perform services in Canada during the project term
– Be in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates and its subsidiaries
Project Eligibility
Voucher Program
– Have clear, critical “go/no go” milestones
– Completed within the 2-year term
– Submit to other criteria that Alberta Innovates may develop periodically
Micro-Voucher Program
– Completed within the 12-month term
– Submit to other criteria that Alberta Innovates may develop periodically
Project activities include but are not limited to the following:
– New product research and development
– Leading-edge design, engineering and prototype development
– Advanced product testing and refinement
– Patent development
– Advanced market assessments
– Other technology development activities may be considered on a case by case basis
Eligible Expenses
– Labour costs for individuals identified to be performing the service for the provider
– Materials that can be specifically identified for use in the project
– Software critical to the project
– Capital assets critical to the project (on a case by case basis)
– Other costs pre-approved by Alberta Innovates
Funding
This program offers up to $10,000 for the Micro-Voucher program and up to $100,000 in funding for the Voucher program over the course of the project.
The Micro-Voucher Program funds one service provider while the Voucher Program funds up to three service providers, and Applicants are to contribute 25% of total eligible project costs.
Deadline
These programs have a continuous intake period.
