Ignite

You can request up to $300,000. Funding is paid in annual instalments of approximately equal amounts, following submission of annual reports.

Sample Matching Funds Breakdown #1: 

$300,000 Ignite Funding Request 

$150,000 cash funding from industry or academic sources 
$150,000 in-kind funding from industry 
$300,000 cash funding from government 

This sample budget works because there is a 2:1 match on the Ignite funding request ($300K Ignite, $600K matching), and government and in-kind matching are each not more than 50% of the total match. 

Sample Matching Funds Breakdown #2: 

$300,000 Ignite Funding Request 

$150,000 cash funding from industry or academic sources 
$150,000 in-kind funding from government 
$300,000 cash funding from government 

This sample budget would not be approved. Although it does include the required 2:1 match on the Ignite funding request, government funding from cash and in-kind sources is greater than 50% of the total match. 

No, but applications with secured matching funds may be viewed more favorably by the review panel.

Yes. However, the majority of your company’s revenue must come from sales — not government aid. 

No, this funding does not cover retroactive expenses prior to the start date indicated in your application. 

Research and development expenditures. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• Salaries/stipends 
• Materials, supplies and equipment (e.g. prototyping, scale-up, product refinement, validation studies, etc.)
• Activities related to technology transfer and commercialization (e.g. sharing of patenting and licensing fees with university, consulting fees for IP strategy, etc.)
• Travel and accommodation for collaborative purposes
• Indirect administrative costs (e.g. university overhead)

The partnership must have at least one academic partner and one industry partner. The majority of your partners must be based in B.C. and be able to exploit the research results in B.C.

Organizations must be registered in B.C. and have a significant presence in the province. Multinationals may be eligible if they have project-related commercial activities that take place in B.C.  

Partners from outside the province or country are welcome, provided: 

• the majority of the team is from B.C.,
• that an eligible B.C. organization maintains a leading role throughout the project, 
• results will be exploited in B.C., and 
• the contributions of non-B.C. members are clearly demonstrated.

Yes, thanks to our close collaboration with Mitacs. If interested, please reach out to Business Development Specialist, Marcelo Mora.

IP and its ownership should be discussed with your partner(s) before submitting the application.

Ignite is a competitive process. Approximately 40% of applicants are invited to submit a full proposal and 30-40% of proposals are awarded funding. However, this varies on the number and quality of applications received.

Yes, but Ignite funds cannot be used retroactively.

Yes, as long as you meet the application criteria. We also recommend you be able to demonstrate strong financial, managerial and strategic business capability to bring the innovation to market. 

Yes, but you must apply with a different project. 

No, but it is viewed favourably. At a minimum, the roles, responsibilities and IP arrangements should be defined before applying. You should also ensure you are aware of relevant policies and procedures at your partner's institution.

Commercialization of a technology is considered to have occurred when a customer purchases a technology product. Successful commercialization occurs when an identified ‘problem’ is solved. These problems are identified by industry or the marketplace. Commercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The technology must get through the prototype phase and be reasonably scalable to be considered to have the potential to be commercial. Therefore, the development part of research and development requires time and money as systems are engineered that will make the product or method a valuable commercial proposition. Having a market that demands the product is critical. Companies that are commercializing need to access these markets to find early adopters who are demanding solutions or tolerant of trying innovative technologies with their inherent risks.