Integrated Marketplace: BC Fast Pilot

Who can apply

Applicants must:

1. Be a B.C.-based, incorporated business;
2. Have less than 500 employees on payroll;
3. Have developed a prototype and are ready to demonstrate the technology at a customer site;
4. Have an early adopter or potential customer identified;
5. Meet the eligibility criteria for financial support from NRC IRAP and;
6. Secure an NRC IRAP ITA (see guidelines for details).

Are non-profits eligible?

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be an incorporated, for-profit company in B.C. with the objective to grow and generate profits.

Does my innovation need to be IP-protected to be eligible?

While having an IP-protected innovation is beneficial, it is not a requirement of this program.

Are businesses outside of B.C. eligible?

No, applicants must be registered and operating within B.C. at the time of application in order to be eligible.

Will last year’s successful applicants be eligible for this year’s consideration?

Yes, if there is a new application, new market, and/or new value defined. Repeat applicants should avoid submitting the same product or the same customer, and there should not be repetition of the activity in the same area.

The program helps B.C. SMEs who have developed a prototype of their technology and are ready to test it at pilot scale. An SME needs to contact its Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) at the National Research Council (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and meet eligibility criteria for NRC IRAP financial support including:

1. Having separate legal status as an incorporated, for-profit SME in Canada with the objective to grow

and generate profits

1. Having less than 500 employees
2. Operating legally in Canada, and specifically in B.C. for this program

Projects that are at a Technological Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or higher will be considered. SME’s must be prepared to implement the solution and execute on the majority of the deliverables of their project by March 31, 2026.

c B.C.-based company that meets company eligibility c Innovation that is market ready (TRL 7 or higher), and clearly outlines readiness c Includes a physical installation of equipment, and is not solely software related c A demonstrated need to test/de-risk/validate the innovation at pilot scale, and not solely for marketing purpose c Justification for funding from both government funding agencies c Strong overall market opportunity, with benefits to B.C. (economics, jobs, IP, etc.) c A pilot site at an industry / early adopter / potential customer location, ideally in B.C. c All or majority of project objectives can be achieved by March 31, 2026. c Evidence of support or interest from the early adopter / potential customer is important. c Alignment with priority focus areas is preferred but does not guarantee funding. The overall strength of the project is key.