Innovate BC — BC Fast Pilot program
Highlights
This program is designed for businesses like yours to test and prove your technology in real-world settings. You can receive funding to cover technical salaries, contractor fees, capital costs, travel, and other necessary expenses. This support helps you demonstrate the value of your innovation to potential customers, reducing their risk and increasing your chances of securing future sales.
Key benefits include:
- Pilot testing in real-world environments to validate your technology.
- Financial support for various project costs.
- Increased visibility and credibility with potential customers.
Applying is straightforward, and if approved, you will gain valuable data and insights, potentially leading to new investments and revenue opportunities. This program offers a unique chance to advance your business and technology with less financial risk.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- SME technical salaries
- Contractor fees
- Capital costs
- Travel expenses
- Other necessary costs incurred during project implementation
Ineligible Expenses:
- General operating expenses not directly related to the pilot project
- Marketing and advertising costs
- Costs incurred before the grant approval
Fees:
- No application or processing fees associated with the program
Qualifications
- Must be a B.C.-based, incorporated business.
- Must have less than 500 employees on payroll.
- Must have developed a prototype and be ready to demonstrate the technology at a customer site.
- Must have an early adopter or potential customer identified.
- Must meet the eligibility criteria for financial support from NRC IRAP.
Must secure an NRC IRAP ITA.
Disqualifications:
- Non-profit organizations.
- Businesses not registered and operating within B.C. at the time of application.
Description
This program helps your business test new technology in real-world settings. You can receive financial support to pilot your innovations, making it easier to prove their value to potential customers.
Funding can cover various costs, such as:
- Technical salaries
- Contractor fees
- Capital expenses
- Travel and other necessary costs during the project
By participating, you can reduce the risk for your customers, making your technology more attractive. This program is a great way to validate your product and potentially secure purchase agreements.
Program Steps
Connect with NRC IRAP: If you do not have an NRC IRAP ITA (Industrial Technology Advisor), you must first connect with NRC IRAP to get assigned an ITA. This process can take from one to several weeks.
Request Expression of Interest Form: Once you have an ITA, request an “Expression of Interest for BC Fast Pilot” form from them. It is highly recommended to work with your ITA to fill out the form to ensure all requirements are met.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documentation to support your application. This includes:
- Business incorporation documents
- Employee payroll records (to confirm less than 500 employees)
- Prototype development details
- Information about the early adopter or potential customer
- Financial support eligibility proof from NRC IRAP
- Any additional documents as specified by your ITA
Submit Expression of Interest: Complete and submit the Expression of Interest form with the required documentation by the specified deadline.
Invitation to Submit Full Proposal: If your Expression of Interest is successful, you will be invited to submit a full project proposal. Follow the guidance provided by your ITA to complete this proposal.
Submit Full Proposal: Prepare and submit the full project proposal, ensuring all criteria and requirements are met. This may include detailed project plans, budgets, and timelines.
Review and Approval: The submitted proposal will be reviewed. If approved, you will receive confirmation and can proceed with the pilot testing of your technology innovation.