Unlock Your Potential with the Accelerated Growth Service

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Accelerated Growth Service is a free service that helps Canadian businesses unlock their potential by providing the right support at the right time.

Starting and scaling a business requires an understanding of much more than just the business’s core competencies. Though the idea of the product or service offered is the most important part of any business, those ideas can only become a reality by managing all the other aspects relating to growth and scaling. From securing capital to expanding into global markets, it’s no surprise that founders may need help managing the diverse requirements to reach success. This is where the Accelerated Growth Service and its Innovation Advisors can provide a lifeline, offering comprehensive startup support, strategic advice and access to a network of experts to help business meet their goals.

Bridging the Gap for Business Growth

The Accelerated Growth Service was created to help growing Canadian companies navigate the landscape of government support available to them. There are many federal and provincial programs that offer business support, ranging from grant funding to technical expertise advisory services. Though these government programs provide critical support, navigating them all can be daunting. That’s why the Accelerate Growth Service pairs businesses with an Innovation Advisor who is ready to help jump-start growth.

Innovation Canada also provides a handy tool called The Business Benefits Finder that can help companies hone in on programs relevant to them. Try it out here.

The Role of Innovation Advisors

Innovation Advisors are at the heart of the Accelerated Growth Service. These experienced professionals provide tailored guidance to businesses, helping them leverage various government programs and services. The Innovation Advisors are seasoned, former entrepreneurs who understand the intricacies of running a business in Canada and have an extensive network spanning both the private and public sectors. They are also very familiar with the government support programs on offer and can make sure businesses focus on the right programs at the right times and help position their applications for success.

Regions across Canada have teams of Innovation Advisors that can be paired up with businesses that will benefit from their specific expertise. You can meet the teams of Innovation Advisors here.

Accelerated Growth Service in Action

More than 1,000 Canadian companies have benefited from the support offered by the Accelerated Growth Service (AGS), each with their unique needs that were met by partnering with the right Innovation Advisor.

Below are a few stand-out companies that utilized the program:

1. Measurand: This New Brunswick-based company, specializing in sensor-based instrumentation, utilized AGS support to drive market research and fast-track global expansion. Their growth journey includes holding over 20 patents globally and distributing products in 40 countries.
2. Mariner Partners: With AGS’s help, Mariner Partners’ SHIFT Energy division was able to engage with the right government agencies, which provided immediate credibility and recognition to the company. After securing partner financing with the help of their Innovation Advisor, Mariner Partners was able to pilot their carbon-reducing sensor technology, leading to large, multi-year contracts.
3. Vitacore: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vitacore turned to AGS for support in scaling up production of sustainable PPE. Their success story includes launching two new product lines with the support of the National Research Council of Canada and expanding into the U.S. market with the help of Export Development Canada. This demonstrates how Innovation Advisors become the gateway into the wide array of government programs.
4. ThinkOn: Another AGS success story, ThinkOn, a cloud-based data management services provider, saw substantial growth in headcount and revenue and received recognition as one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and Fast 500 companies, thanks to AGS’s support in international expansion and technology development.

Unlock Your Potential with Innovation Canada’s Accelerated Growth Service and Easly’s Streamlined SR&ED Financing

Are you ready to accelerate your business growth? Get in touch with the Accelerated Growth Services team by calling toll-free in Canada at 1-833-201-4358 | TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or fill out this form to get started.

Easly also plays a critical role in supporting innovative Canadian businesses by providing low-touch, non-dilutive financing backed by your earned SR&ED credits. If your business performs R&D work that is eligible for refundable SR&ED credits, reach out to us to learn how we can turn your earned SR&ED credits into cash in your bank account. With Easly’s SR&ED financing you can get funded in as little as two weeks rather than wait for an annual lump-sum refund from the CRA. Contact us today to get started.