🚀 This Week: Tap Into Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

Hey Builders,

Ever dreamt of a funding cheque so big it needs its own postal code? Meet the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) — Canada’s go‑to for audacious, job‑creating, world‑changing projects.

A real example: AbCellera in B.C. received $225 million to build a pre‑clinical antibody development facility — and it’s just one of many game changers funded under SIF

🗂️ What is the SIF?

A streamlined fund managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It fuels large‑scale R&D, commercialization, and facility expansions — only for projects in the tens of millions.

✅ Who’s Eligible?

• Canadian for‑profit companies (yes, startups included — if you're thinking big).

• Undertaking industrial R&D, tech demo, commercialization, or major facility scale‑up.

• Operating in priority sectors: clean tech, AI, advanced manufacturing, digital industries, health and biotech.

• Funding streams:

  • Streams 1–3: R&D, commercialization, company expansions.

  • Stream 4: Collaborative tech development & demonstration

💰 How Much Are We Talking?

• Minimum of $10 million contribution, usually for projects ≥ $20 million

• Covers up to 50% of eligible costs with no fixed upper limit

• Non‑repayable grants usually for Stream 4 collaborations; repayable for others

🎯 What Makes a Winning Pitch?

• Evidence of commercial viability, job creation, and economic impact.

• Detailed budgets, timelines, and technical feasibility.

• De‑risking through partners: universities, corporates, investors.

⚡ Builder Tip

Don’t go solo. Most successful SIF projects are consortia — mix startups with larger industry partners for credibility and capacity.

📅 What’s Up Next

Luma Calendar: Upcoming SIF‑focused pitch bootcamps & info sessions — stay tuned and be ready to lean in.

📬 Your Next Moves

• 🗺️ Grant trackers, program filters — no login needed

• 💌 [Join the Waitlist]: first access to built‑for‑founders tools and updates.

• ✉️ Questions? Hit reply — we don’t bots.

Built by builders. For builders. Always real. Never boring.

Catch you next week,

— Team FiC