Request a Meeting

Next Level

For businesses with an innovative product or service and looking to expand, Next Level can help with: 

Share on Social

FedNor-02-COL-EN
canada_col-NOIC-Web-Scroller

Program Overview

Next Level Program

This program is designed to help businesses with late-stage product development and to access new markets. This support may be applicable to contracted expertise, services or direct costs in any of the following areas.

  • Purchase New Equipment or Software
  • Expand to New Markets
  • Complete Training and Certification

Next Level will cover up to 50% funding, up to $10,000 in assistance towards approved costs in the above categories.

Applicant Eligibility

  • Registered business located in Northwestern Ontario
  • An innovative product that is manufacturing or technology-based that you have developed and own
  • At revenue or have confirmed purchase orders and has a demonstrated growth rate of 10%
  • Operating full time with at least one full-time employee
  • Sales outside of Northwestern Ontario or can demonstrate the potential to expand sales outside of NWO
  • A business model and strategy that validates forecasted sales and employment growth
  • Not a business operating as distributor or reseller

Eligible Expenses

  • Purchase New Equipment or Software
  • Expand to New Markets
  • Complete Training and Certification

Contact Information

Picture of Jeremy Dutton

Jeremy Dutton

Jeremy is the Business Advisor for ICT

  • 1 866-768-6685
  • 1 866-768-6682
  • 1 807-768-6683
  • jeremy@nwoinnovation.ca

Innovative companies are defined for the purposes of the Next Level program as focusing on technology or manufacturing. Companies that fall outside of these categories but derive a significant portion of sales and profits from products or services recently introduced to the market may also be deemed eligible.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

New companies or start ups who are in the late stage of product development, and have an acceptable business plan, may be deemed eligible. Contact us for more details. 

The following sectors are the preferred sectors for this program:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Agri-Food
  • Health/Bio-Sciences
  • Clean Tech
  • ICT/Digital
  • Hobby and part-time businesses
  • Retailer, resellers, consultants
  • Municipalities and non-for-profit
  • Ongoing operational activities of the Recipient
  • Activities that create financial dependencies 
  • Computers
  • HST/GST
  • Costs not specifically described as Eligible Costs

  • Outcomes of your Next Level project must be geared towards growing sales, increasing employment levels, or decreasing costs.

  • The applicant is required to contribute a minimum of 50% of the total project costs. Paid expenses occurring before the date of the approval for Next Level funding will not be recognized as an eligible contribution, and cannot be reimbursed. 

  •  

  • Purchasing Equipment or Software

    • New production equipment for your manufacturing business 
      • examples: a mixer, heat sealer, production equipment, bottle filler etc to increase productivity 
      • equipment for product testing
    • New software
      • Examples: sales and marketing software such as a CRM, inventory management software, data analytics/reporting software, AI etc. 

  • Marketing: 

    • Professional video of your innovative product for market growth
    • Marketing Consulting for business expansion 

  • Training and Certification Costs: 

    • Course fees for staff 
    • Food certification costs 
      • Gluten Free, nutritional testing, shelf life stability testing 
    • Updated labelling related to the above
  1. A meeting between the applicant and the program coordinator will be scheduled to discuss and to advise on your project and the Next Level program.
  2. Receive the application, complete and submit it along with vendor quotes for your project.
  3. The Next Level committee will review your application
  4. If approved, you will receive the max approval amount and then be able to make your purchases
  5. Once you have completed the project, you submit proof to NOIC and you will receive your reimbursement.

Please contact Jeremy Dutton to set up a meeting to discuss your project and start your application!

jeremy@nwoinnovation.ca or 807-768-6685.

Skip to content