Ontario Centres of Excellence is pleased to launch an additional call for applications for its SmartStart program (http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/collaborative-commercialization/smartstart).
SmartStart Overview
The mandate of the SmartStart Program is to support the new ventures of Ontario’s next generation entrepreneurs (post-secondary students and graduates of STEM programs) who are taking the next step out of publically funded academic institutions and research hospitals by facilitating next generation entrepreneurship training and development.
Program Objectives:
1. Support entrepreneurial post-secondary STEM students and STEM graduates developing a start-up company.
2. Provide a challenging and supportive environment for young entrepreneurs in their efforts to launch and grow businesses through entrepreneurship training.
3. Allow next generation entrepreneurs to develop prototype products, source first customers and solve real business needs.
4. Generate sustainable economic outcomes and significant job creation.
Eligible Applicants: Applicants must be either students at the masters or doctoral level, graduates from university undergraduate, Masters or PhD programs, or graduates from college advanced diploma programs.  In all cases, the lead applicant must be from Science, Technology, Engineering or Math programs and a founder of the company. Please note this is a very competitive process and only 5 applicants will be funded.
Eligibility Requirements:

• Lead Applicants must be able to demonstrate they      are free to use/develop the IP with no third party rights.
• The technology must form the basis for the core      product or service of an Ontario-based start-up.
• The student- or graduate-led company must be an      early stage or emerging company.
• The student- or graduate-led company must be      based in Southern Ontario, as defined by FedDev (see http://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00109.html).
• The student- or graduate-led company must not have      received investment from any other FedDev Scientists and Engineers in      Business (SEB) program (e.g. RIC VentureStart, Next 36, Northumberland      Community Futures Development Company, Ryerson or Waterloo FedDev SEB      Commercialization Fellowship, etc.).
• The OCE investment must be matched in cash from private sector,      non-governmental sources (e.g. angel/VC investors,      friends/family/founders, industry). University contributions are not      considered eligible.

Value of the award:        up to $30,000 per approved applicant.  Eligible costs include only those used by the start-up enterprise for legitimate business purposes, and may not be used to pay a salary, bonus, dividend or any other payment to the STEM Entrepreneur.
Important Dates:
• July 3, 2013                         Application intake opens
• Aug 2, 2013                         Final application deadline
• Aug 5-Aug 23, 2013            Internal/external reviews
• Aug 30, 2013                       Notification of awards
• Sept/Oct 2013 (tbd)            Business Skills Development Bootcamp (approved applicants must be available)
• Oct 2013                              Funding contracts and announcements
Program Contacts: For queries please contact Bettina Klenkler, Program Manager, or Natalia Lobo, Program Coordinator.
To initiate an application on OCE’s online application system, please email the following information to smartstart@oce-ontario.org:
Company Name
Company Website
Company Address
Company Phone number
Applicant’s Name
Applicant’s Position at Company
Applicant’s Email Address
Applicant’s Phone Number/Extension
You will be sent a link to an online application form within 2-3 business days.