Government challenges small businesses to innovate

Invites Canadian small businesses to develop innovative solutions to three new challenges

 

Ottawa, Ontario - Small businesses and their ability to innovate make Canada’s economy run. At the same time, the federal government is Canada’s largest purchaser of goods and services. How can the government use these purchases to help small businesses innovate and grow?The answer is Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC). Through this program, government departments are inviting small businesses to come up with a new innovative product, service or solution in answer to specific challenges they face. Winning small businesses may receive up to $150,000 to refine their research and development and, if accepted into Phase 2, receive up to $1 million to develop a working prototype. The government will then act as a first customer, helping small businesses to commercialize their innovations, scale up their business and create good jobs.The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, today announced the launch of three ISC challenges from National Research Council Canada (NRC).

 

Innovative Solutions Canada is a key component of the government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year plan to make Canada a global innovation leader and prepare Canadians to succeed in tomorrow’s economy.