Invest North Program

Overview of the Invest North Program program:

The Investment Launch Stream is part of the Invest North Program offered by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). This stream is designed to support new business ventures in Northern Ontario, providing the necessary financial assistance to help start-ups and early-stage companies launch and grow their operations.

Benefits of the Invest North Program program:

• Eligible projects, activities and associated costs include, but are not limited to:
• Capital construction
• Leasehold improvements
• New or used equipment including capital leases
• Land servicing costs
• Information & communications technology (ICT) investments
• Marketing for new products and business initiatives (limited to a maximum of 20% of all other eligible project costs, or $75,000, whichever is less)
• Training costs incurred with third parties (limited to a maximum of 20% of all other eligible project costs)

Eligibility criteria of the Invest North Program program:

• Businesses starting up operations in Northern Ontario.
• Factors that will be considered during evaluation of applications will include but not be limited to:
• Job creation
• Level of investment from other sources to be secured by the applicant
• Strength of the applicants detailed business plan
• Does not unreasonably impact existing Northern Ontario businesses
• Net economic benefits for Northern Ontario
• Other business activities that, in the opinion of the NOHFC Board of Directors, will result in an economic development advantage for Northern Ontario may be considered.
• The NOHFC Board of Directors may consider exceptions to these eligibility criteria for projects that address a priority economic need in Northern Ontario.