Ignition Fund
The Ignition Fund is a competitive based fund for entrepreneurs seeking start-up capital for a new innovative business venture or to develop and launch a new innovative product. The fund invests seed capital that will allow successful applicants to turn their ideas into a tangible and viable business.
Who is eligible for Ignition Fund?
To be eligible to apply:
- at least one applicant/shareholder must be a Canadian resident or have permanent residency and living in PEI;
- projects must be committed to establishing and operating on PEI;
- the product or service developed must be innovative or unique and have strong export potential; and
- the project must not have already received a PEI Labour rebate from Innovation PEI;
Ineligible applicants include:
Projects have received support from any of the following:
- Food Xcel - Food Island Partnership;
- Concours des Dragons – RDÉE Île-du-Prince-Édouard;
- Ignition Francophone – RDÉE Île-du-Prince-Édouard;
- Previous rounds of Innovation PEI’s Ignition Fund.
A business that has a defaulted outstanding debt obligation on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry.
What activities and costs are supported?
The fund can support activities associated with business the start-up of the proposed business or product development costs. Some activities eligible for support under the Ignition Fund include, but are not limited to:
- professional and consulting services (i.e. incorporation, legal services, etc.);
- product development and refinement;
- marketing and market research;
- intellectual property;
- business development; and
- capital purchases.
What level of assistance is available?
Innovation PEI will award up to $25,000 to a successful applicant. A matching contribution is not required.
What criteria are used to evaluate applications?
Not all projects meeting the minimum criteria will receive funding. An application is considered to be complete and received when all required information has been submitted to Innovation PEI.
Applications will be evaluated against a clear set of criteria using the information provided in the application and the following considerations:
- experience of the founders and management team;
- proposed product or service;
- market value and potential uptake; and
- business growth.
Performance Monitoring
Successful applicants to the Ignition Fund will receive a contract that will outline requirements including:
- submitting invoices and receipts of eligible expenses associated with the project;
- providing regular progress reports to Innovation PEI;
- creating or participating an advisory/mentorship board for your business and founders; and
- restrictions pertaining to public award details.
What is the application process?
- submit an application to Innovation PEI, by providing details from Sections 1 and 2 of the Application Guide including:
- an overview of the proposed idea including competitive advantages and disadvantages, innovation, and market need;
- a description of the founders and management team;
- a market analysis that clearly defines your target market, sales and marketing strategy, level of competition and advantage in the market, and your revenue model;
- statement of work outlining the development of work over the next year including milestones and timeline; and
- an evaluation committee will review your application.
- only those directly involved in the evaluation process will have access to your submission. Each reviewer is subject to non-disclosure and conflict-of-interest agreement.
- if your application moves to the next stage you will be invited to pitch your idea to the committee. Additional support will be available for those invited to pitch. A question and answer session will follow your ten-minute pitch.
What are the application submission details?
- deadline for applications: October, 25th 1:00 pm AST
- extensions will not be considered.
- applications will be formatted into one (1) Microsoft Word or Portable Document File (.pdf) and submitted by email to IgnitionFund@gov.pe.ca
What is the schedule?
Call for applications:: September 16th
Deadline for applications: October 25th
Review complete: November 5th
Pitch sessions: Week of November 29th and / or December 5th
Results announced: Early January
When are the information sessions?
*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person spaces are limited to respect social distancing and public health guidelines.
| WHEN | WHERE | REGISTRATION |
|---|---|---|
|
September 29, 2021 12:30 pm & 1:45 pm |
Access PEI, 120 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside |
Summerside: Two in-person sessions In-person: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - This session is full
|
|
October 7, 2021 12:00 pm |
Rural Action Centre, 540 Main Street, Montague |
Montague: Register for Virtual Register for in-person: please contact Emma Gamble, Client Information Officer |
|
October 13, 2021 12:00 pm |
Rural Action Centre, 455 Main Street, Alberton |
Alberton : Register for Virtual Register for in-person: please contact Barb MacDonald, Client Information Officer |
|
October 14, 2021 12:00 pm |
Startup Zone, 31 Queen Street, Charlottetown |
Charlottetown: In person only |
| October 20, 2021 | Webinar |
Confidentiality
Members of the evaluation committee must sign non-disclosure and conflict of interest agreements. Only those directly involved in the evaluation process will have access to submissions. Applicants must ensure that employment agreements allow for participation in Ignition and the development of new products and services.
Contact:
Please direct any questions regarding the Ignition Fund to Innovation PEI or call (902) 368-6300.
Please contact Kathleen Townshend or Jeremy Heartz for questions about the Ignition Fund or your application.
- Kathleen Townshend, Business Development Officer
(902) 213-8497 - Jeremy Heartz Jr. Business Development Officer,
(902) 368-4737