Regional Economic Growth
through Innovation (REGI)

Empowering Local Economies through Innovation

The REGI program helps businesses grow by funding innovation, supporting tech adoption, and creating jobs. It’s designed to boost regional competitiveness and long-term economic success.

What is the Regional Economic
Growth Through Innovation (REGI)?

(REGI) is a national program delivered by regional development agencies (RDAs) across Canada to fuel economic growth through innovation and create more well-paying jobs for Canadians. It comprises 2 program streams, which, along with tailored programming in each region, will foster the right environment to start and grow businesses and create the conditions for the development of strong, dynamic and inclusive regional innovation ecosystems across the country.

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative for Northern Ontario

Funding under this program is supporting new approaches for building houses, including designing and upscaling modular homes, the use of 3D printing, mass timber construction, panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate resilient homebuilding practices.

Regional artificial Intelligence Initiative – for the development and adoption of AI in the region

Funding under this program is to bring new technologies to market and help accelerate AI adoption in critical sectors, such as agriculture, health sciences, manufacturing, mining and forestry in Northern Ontario.

Business scale-up and productivity — for ambitious companies in need of growth funding

Funding offered under this program stream helps businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate growth and adopt innovative technologies that support scale-up, commercialization, productivity and market expansion to become more competitive globally.

Regional innovation ecosystems — for not-for-profit organizations looking to grow the region's innovation capacity

Funding under this program stream helps create, grow and develop strong and inclusive regional networks that support business growth and innovation. This will foster the entrepreneurial environment necessary for more innovative regional economies and increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). In part, this stream will seek to further enhance business support networks for under-represented groups—including women, Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) Peoples and young entrepreneurs—promoting their entrepreneurial talent.

Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario manufacturers looking to boost their productivity, increase sales and exports, and create jobs can find the support they need through FedNor’s Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario.
Find out how companies can access financing for operational assessments and productivity improvements, including equipment upgrades.

Important note:

The program currently has limited budget availability due to a high demand. Please contact us to discuss your project prior to submitting an application under the program.