Mandate
To be the regional champion for the adoption and acceleration of innovation and technology by increasing the volume and velocity of economic growth through access to technology, alignment of commercialization opportunities, and navigation of available resources. In the districts of Nipissing, Muskoka, Parry Sound and Timiskaming up to Earlton.
Areas of expertise
Funding programs and connections to resources.
Key Projects, Programs and Initiatives
Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program (SFEP) Active
Provides financial support to innovative companies for marketing & sales, product development, business enhancements.
Benefits
$5,000 grant (85% cost share)
Minimum project spend of $5900 before taxes.
Innovative companies across all industries within the districts of Nipissing, Parry Sound, Muskoka and Timiskaming up to Earlton.
Partners & Collaborators
Funded by FedNor
Innovative Manufacturing & Facilitation Program (IMFP) Active
Assistance to incorporated innovative companies to access specific contractors.
Benefits
$5000 - to identified contractors to complete a project for a company.
$1000 successful applicant contributions +HST.
Areas of focus
Advanced Manufacturing prototyping, lean manufacturing, international trade
Partners & Collaborators
Funded by NRC-IRAP
- Canadore College – Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Production (iCAMP)
- Materials Joining Innovaiton Centre (MaJIC)
- Nordbeck Consulting
- Rynz Innovative Tooling
- JIC consulting
- KOMRI Systems
- Value Stream Solutions Inc.
- North Bay Machining
- True North Thinking
Youth Entrepreneurship Placement Programs (YEPP) Active
16-week paid work placement, online course and professional development days where companies and youth (18-29) both apply either as a pre-made match or to be matched. The youth becomes an employee of the company who mentors them in an effort to move business growth projects forward, IION delivers the training and the wage subsidy.
Applications open in February 2018 and matches must be made by March 31, 2018.
Company is responsible to cover employer’s portion of wage (CPP, EI, WSIB), provide a T4 slip and wage top up to meet provincial standards.
Benefits
Youth: Received practical experience, learning and training
Company: Receive a subsidized employee for 4 months - $7100 value
Areas of focus
Innovative companies ready for growth and job creation.
Partners & Collaborators
Funded by FedNor and Ontario Trillium Foundation
Leaders of the Day – experiential professional development
Triple-P Active
The Triple-P program is designed to spur economic development by offsetting the cost of purchasing equipment or technology related to the innovative commercial product, process or service of the company in three categories:
- Productivity
- Prototype
- Process improvements
Benefits
Projects are supported up to 85 per cent of eligible costs, before tax. For approved projects in the amount of $10,000, a minimum project spend of $11,800, prior to taxes, is required.
Areas of focus
This support could be applicable, but not limited to, projects that have the following outcomes:
- Increased efficiency
- Added production capacity
- Reduced waste
- Strengthened competitiveness
- Entered a new geographic or product markets
- New product developed
Partners & Collaborators
Funded by FedNor
icSTAMP Active
IION-Canadore - Skills Training in Advanced Manufacturing and Production (icSTAMP) is a 25-week (June 18th - December 7th 2018) paid placement which combines practical experience and soft skills training through educational and experiential learning in an applied research and development environment. paid work placement, College Certificate (advanced level courses), Lab Work at ICAMP to complete a R&D and 6 professional development days where companies and engineering/technologists graduates of any age both apply either as a pre-made match or to be matched. The participant becomes an employee of the company who mentors them in an effort to spur Advanced Manufacturing R&D growth projects forward, IION delivers the professional development training and wage subsidy and Canadore College the certificate and Lab Work training at ICAMP.
Benefits
For Companies: IION provides companies with a competitive wage subsidy of $9,375 to apply to the participant’s wage. Company applicants will be required to top up the participant’s wage with an additional $4,687.50 (over and above the subsidy amount); which represents the minimum company required contribution. The applicant is also responsible for the CPP/EI employer contributions.
Benefits for companies:
- Highly-skilled trained worker subsidized for 25-weeks
- Focused support on solving an advanced manufacturing challenge through a R&D project
- Access to cutting edge technology at Canadore College ICAMP
For Participants:
Eligibility & Requirements:
Participant applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; certification in engineering or related field is recommended. Applicants must agree to complete the 25-week paid placement with the matched company and register as a Canadore student.
Benefits for participants
- An opportunity for skill development
- Training and use of cutting edge manufacturing technology
- Obtain practical hands-on experience within an innovative company
- Obtain a College Certificate
Partners & Collaborators
Funded by FedNor