Deadline Date: July 08, 2026
The Development Stream is offering applications to support deep technology start-ups in Nova Scotia that are developing innovative technologies and preparing for future investment.
The stream focuses on investment readiness, product development, technical validation, prototyping, regulatory strategy and compliance planning, intellectual property strategy and risk management, and preparing for venture capital or strategic investment.
The Development Stream is designed for companies facing significant technical, regulatory, or commercialization complexity, including those developing proprietary hardware or operating in highly regulated markets. It is intended for deep technology start-ups rooted in proprietary intellectual property, scientific research, or advanced engineering that are pre-revenue or generating limited early revenue and require substantial external capital to support development and growth.
The program delivers workshops, sector-specific advisory support, and additional resources, with most sessions conducted virtually. Support is primarily aimed at helping participating companies become investment-ready while continuing product and technology development.
Selected companies may receive up to CAD 40,000 in non-dilutive, non-repayable funding. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible expenses. Up to CAD 15,000 of the total funding may be allocated to founder salaries, subject to program requirements.
Eligible expenses include salaries for eligible staff and founders, consultant services, MITACS internships, product development materials and equipment, software and subscriptions, digital advertising, market expansion activities, shipping and freight, conference and trade show participation, and business-related travel for customer, partner, or investor engagement.
Expenses such as HST, rent, office furniture, computers, smartphones, office supplies, inventory, lighting, photography equipment, membership fees, sponsorships, booth construction, travel to ineligible markets, and expenses incurred outside the program period are not eligible for reimbursement.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered businesses in good standing in Nova Scotia with a permanent address in the province. Most of their workforce and senior leadership must reside in Nova Scotia. The business must be majority-owned by Nova Scotia-based founders who plan to work at least 35 hours per week on the company during the program.
Applicants must have generated less than CAD 1 million in cumulative revenue and raised less than CAD 250,000 in equity investment. They must have identified a significant global market opportunity and must not have previously participated in the Invest Nova Scotia Accelerate program.
For more information, visit Invest Nova Scotia.
