Eligible Project Costs

The tangible assets required to operate and deliver it products and services to customers, such as:

• Operating equipment and tools;
• Office equipment and furnishings;
• Computer equipment and software;
• Facility upgrades such as, leasehold improvements (where space is rented) or upgrades/renovations (where space is applicant-owned) for commercial use; 
• All or part of the purchase price of acquiring an established business (confirmed by a valuation completed report by a Chartered Business Valuator);
• Franchise fees/rights; and,
• Specialized commercial vehicles (excludes passenger vehicles, cars and pickup trucks).

Physical assets supported by AIC must reside in Ontario.

Normally for start-up businesses, initial operating costs supported by quotes/estimates, such as:

• Rent; 
• utilities; 
• insurances; 
• supplies; and,
• inventory. 

Support for these costs is intended to ensure the business has sufficient working capital while a project is implemented. Normally three (3) months is considered reasonable. The actual amount supported will be based on the applicant’s financial projections and consultations with lenders or IFI to confirm the amount is appropriate. Applicants are also encourage to secure additional lines of credit.

There are circumstances where operating costs may be considered related to an expansion or activity where a clear financial need is demonstrated.

Owner wages and drawings cannot be considered under any circumstances.

Resources and activities required to market and promote a business while building the most effective and efficient channels that establish, maintain and grow relationships with customers and accelerate sales could be supported, such as:

• Design and branding; 
• advertising (print, media, social-media, internet-based); 
• printed materials;
• signage (billboards, storefronts, trade show banners, vehicle wraps)
• website and mobile application development;
• promotional items and branded clothing; 
• customer relationship management systems;
• enhancements to point-of-sale (physical and online);
• sales training and expertise; 
• promotional content (text, audio, video); and,
• networking and promotional events, and trade shows. 

Resources and activities that enhance the capabilities and capacity of management could be supported, such as those enabling:

• Sound business decisions;
• optimal business structures; 
• enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of operations;
• expanding and improving existing (already commercialized) products and services;
• risk mitigation; and/or,
• compliance and reporting.

Common examples of these costs include accounting & bookkeeping, legal advisory, maintaining membership in a professional body or industry associations, specialized training and mentorship (knowledge transfer). Expertise to improve processes and/or products and project implementation activities could be considered where a clear need is demonstrated.