The ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program supports standalone small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) projects and SME collaborations with industry partners and/or public sector organizations such as municipalities, healthcare facilities, public utilities for testing and validation activities using the ENCQOR 5G Innovation Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed in order to develop or advance new technologies, products, processes and services.
Select a category for detailed program information.
Program Name
ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program
Program Status and Submission Deadline
Closed for Applications✓ Open for Applications (rolling intake)
What it Supports
Small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) Company Demonstration Projects utilizing the ENCQOR 5G Innovation Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed
Project Sector
Open
Basic Eligibility Criteria
(A full list of eligibility requirements is available.)
Applicant:
Industry Partner:
Project:
OCE Funding
Up to $50,000 to the SME applicant company
Project Duration
Up to 12 months
Matching Requirement
1:1
How to Apply
See details on the How to Apply tab.
Notifications
Projects MUST leverage the ENCQOR 5G iPaaS testbed infrastructure at one of three hub locations in Ontario.
Projects may also apply for funding from other Advanced Technology Platform Programs including the IBM Customer Demonstration Program or the Next Generation Network Demonstration Program.
Contact
Search OCE’s Knowledge Base of Frequently Asked Questions. For further assistance, see details on the Contacts tab.
The ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program is delivered by OCE in partnership with Innovation ENCQOR on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Benefits to the SME Applicant
Program Contribution
50% (maximum) of total eligible project costs, up to $50,000
SME Applicant Company Contribution
50% (minimum) of total eligible project costs (i.e. minimum 1:1 match to federal government contribution)
Example
Total eligible project costs: $100,000
Funding Recipient
SME Applicant Company
Institutional Overhead
Not applicable
As part of the ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program application, SMEs can also apply for an ENCQOR 5G TalentEdge Internship as part of the application process, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements. Further details on the Internship Program are available.
Program Status: Closed for applications✓ Open for Applications (rolling intake)
If you are ready to start applying for the ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program, click the button below to start the application process.
Start the application process
*The SME Applicant Company should click this button when ready to apply for funding. Companies who wish to find out more about other OCE programs, should submit a generic Client Intake Form.
Please note: completion of this form does not constitute an application for funding. A Business Development Manager (BDM) will contact you within two business days to discuss the opportunity. If you are already working with a BDM, please indicate this in the form.
For assistance, please see the following resources:
The ENCQOR 5G members of the ATP Review Committee will assess the feasibility of the project given iPaaS capabilities and resources. They may reach out to the applicant to request further information or clarification at this stage, if needed.
The ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. All eligible applications undergo a review process where the applications are assessed against program objectives and assessment criteria. Not all eligible applications will be approved for funding.
Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness and financial compliance, prior to evaluation by external reviewers with domain expertise from academia and industry, and the Advanced Technology Platform (ATP) Review Committee which includes program partner organizations, Ciena, Ericsson Canada, Thales, CENGN and IBM Canada.
As part of the ATP review process the application will be reviewed by the ENCQOR technical committee made up of representatives from ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms whose technology is integrated into the iPaaS testbed. The technical committee will examine the technical feasibility of the project and compatibility with the testbed infrastructure to ensure that the project will be able to leverage the iPaaS testbed.
Projects that are unable to utilize the ENCQOR 5G iPaaS testbed are not eligible for funding under this program.
All reviewers are bound by confidentiality agreements. The final funding decision is made by OCE and Innovation ENCQOR.
Applications will be evaluated against assessment criteria including:
Program award amount
$50,000
SME Applicant Company contribution
Minimum $50,000
Funds released upon project activation
$0
Funds released by Innovation ENCQOR through the claims and reimbursement process to be administered by OCE
The following project reports will be required.
Please note that completion of all required reports is a contractual obligation to receive funding for this program.
Interim report(s), including progress, proof of expenditures, financial attestation, and a request for reimbursement may be submitted at the three, six and 12-month intervals of the project (dependent on the project duration) – by applicant company only.
Copies of detailed reporting instructions will be sent to successful applicants upon project activation. Here is a draft of the financial claim template. The report must be received and approved by OCE and Innovation ENCQOR prior to release of funds by Innovation ENCQOR for eligible claims.
Note: Applicants MUST retain all proof of purchases, receipts, and other relevant documentation relating to eligible expenses. These should be included in the Interim Progress and Claim Report.
Forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled completion date, the Applicant will receive a notification of the project end date from OCE’s AccessOCE system, with a link to the Final Project Report should the Applicant wish to begin entering data. If an extension to complete the project is required, the Applicant must request it prior to the scheduled project completion date, using the Project Administration tab in their AccessOCE project file. A maximum extension of [three] months will be allowable.
On the scheduled project completion date, the Applicant will receive notification and a link to complete a Final Project Report (including progress, financials and metrics) from OCE’s AccessOCE system. Reports must be received and approved by OCE within 30 days of project completion.
All required final reports by all partners must be submitted within 30 days of project completion in order to release the final reimbursement payment and maintain good financial standing with OCE.
If the project continues past a fiscal year end (March 31), the Applicant will be required to complete an annual Metrics survey each April, for the part of the project that has been completed since the previous March 31. This annual report is mandatory for OCE to fulfil its contract with its funding Ministries. Required metrics reports from all partners must be submitted in order to maintain good financial standing with OCE.
At one, two, and three years after project completion, the applicant will be sent a link to complete a retrospective survey to collect data on commercial outcomes from the project. This information is required by OCE for assessment of program impact and continuous improvement.
For further questions regarding program guidelines, eligibility, and submitting the online application, please contact your OCE Business Development Manager or:
For other inquiries, please contact:
Vahid Sadr Portfolio Manager, Digital Economy Technologies Tel: 416-861-1092 ext 1117 Email: ac.noitavonni-co@rdasv
Program Status: ✓ Open for Applications (accepted on a rolling basis)
Start the application process*
*The applicant should click this button when ready to apply for funding. Companies who wish to find out more about this or other OCE programs, should submit a generic Client Intake Form.