Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program

On October 31, 2012, the province awarded vouchers to 46 businesses from across Nova Scotia to help them become more innovative and productive. Click here for the press release.

What is a "productivity and innovation voucher"?

A "productivity and innovation voucher" is a credit note that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can use to acquire the help from Nova Scotia universities and colleges that they need to help make their businesses more innovative and productive.

The application process for the 2012-2013 Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is now closed.


Who is eligible?

All businesses currently operating in Nova Scotia provided:
  • they are registered as a business to operate in Nova Scotia;
  • part, or all, of the their workforce currently resides in Nova Scotia;
  • they have less than 100 employees at the time of their application;
  • the service they require is offered by at least one eligible service provider, which is a Nova Scotia university or college that offer services that small and medium sized enterprises need to help make their businesses more productive and innovative.

New for 2012-2013: There are now two levels of vouchers that businesses can apply for. A second tier voucher has been added as a full part of the program following a pilot program in 2011-2012. The second level (Tier 2) voucher allows previous voucher recipients an opportunity to build on the work done through their initial Tier 1 voucher award. Only previous voucher recipients are eligible to apply for a Tier 2 award. Project eligibility and available program service providers and services are consistent for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the program.

Please note: Those applicants who were awarded a Tier 2 Voucher as part of the pilot program in 2011-2012 are not eligible to apply for a Tier 2 Voucher for 2012-2013.

Please note that successful Tier 1 voucher recipient firms from previous program years are not eligible for consideration for a 2012-2013 Tier 1 voucher award.


What types of projects are eligible?

Projects must clearly demonstrate the potential to contribute to the development of a new, high value-added product, service or process that will help a business become more innovative and productive.
Eligible service areas:
  • Applied research
  • Industrial/process engineering services
  • Scientific/technology related advice and support
  • Proof of concept, field testing, product evaluation and certification
  • Prototyping
  • Product design
  • Feasibility studies necessary to help move a new, innovative product or service to market
  • Eco-efficiency audits

How do I access a voucher?

STEP 1: Review the list of eligible service providers and services. Select a provider and service which best fits your needs.

STEP 2: Download and fill in the program application form.

STEP 3: E-mail completed form to P&Ivouchers@gov.ns.ca.

Successful applicants will be notified by the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and will be issued a voucher in the name of their firm.

Voucher applications will be reviewed by Economic and Rural Development and Tourism staff, in consultation with program service providers, the following criteria will be used to evaluate the applications:

  • Proposals determined to have the most potential to contribute to the development of a new, high value-added product, service or process;
  • The fit of the proposal with the objectives of the program:
    • The potential of the project to contribute to productivity and/or innovative gains for the firm.
    • The potential of the project to contribute to the development of a viable working linkage between the firm and the university/college program service provider.
    • In the case of a Tier 2 application, the perceived potential of the project to build on progress made through the initial voucher award is also important.
  • Other considerations, including service provider capacity and available program funding.

Successful applicants will be issued a voucher worth a maximum of $15,000 for Tier 1 and $25,000 for Tier 2. Both are valid until March 31, 2013. Vouchers are limited to one per applicant.


When can I apply?

Tier 1 applications will be accepted from September 17, 2012 to October 5, 2012
Tier 2 applications will be accepted from September 17, 2012 to October 12, 2012

Want additional information?

For additional information on applying for a voucher through this program, please contact us by e-mail at P&Ivouchers@gov.ns.ca, or by calling Bruce Findlay at 902-424-7530.

TIER 1 VOUCHER RECIPIENTS

CAPE BRETON
B.W. Bioenergy Incorporated, Sydney
Stomp Labs Inc., Sydney

NORTHERN NOVA SCOTIA
Ditch Doctor Atlantic Limited, Glenholme
Enviro-Moly Pro, St. Paul's, Pictou
Spice of Life Natural Products, Antigonish
Znanja Inc., New Glasgow

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Algaculture International, Dartmouth
Boondoc Technologies Incorporated, Sackville
Chelation Partners Incorporated, Halifax
Coccicorp Diagnostic Therapeutic Innovations Inc., Halifax
Dr. David P. Morris Inc., Halifax
Gravity Communications Inc., Sackville
Lightsail Canada Inc., Halifax
Local Source Catering Limited, Halifax
M-A's Neato Holdings Limited, Halifax
Neuroquest Inc., Halifax
Noblemay Catering Services, Halifax
Resolution Optics Inc., Halifax
Syscom Technologies, Halifax
Thorasys Thoracic Medical Systems Inc., Halifax

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY, DIGBY
Annapolis Valley Peat Moss Company Limited, Berwick
Colibri Software Inc. Wolfville
Fox Hill Cheese House, Port Williams
Ledgehill Treatment and Recovery Centre, Lawrencetown
Pie R Squared, Wolfville
Spec Environmental Solutions Inc., Concession
The Rivers of Avondale Vineyard Inc., Newport
Timbertec Incorporated, Kentville
VITIS Mobile Winery Services, Wolfville

SOUTH WESTERN NOVA SCOTIA
Intelligent Dynamics Canada Limited, Jordan Falls
Jellett Rapid Testing Limited, Chester Basin
Propoly Cushioning Inc., Yarmouth

TIER 2 VOUCHER RECIPIENTS

CAPE BRETON
Louisbourg Seafoods Limited, Louisburg

NORTHERN NOVA SCOTIA
Bionovations Inc., Antigonish
Ocean Sonics Ltd., Great Village
Performance Genomics (1999) Inc., Bible Hill

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Bluelight Analytics Inc., Halifax
Cequotia Consulting Inc., Hammonds Plains
Green Power Labs Inc., Dartmouth
Xeos Technologies Inc., Bedford

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY, DIGBY
Clare Machine Works Limited, Meteghan
Farmer John's Herbs, Kings County
Fundy Dulse, Digby
Hutchinson Acres Incorporated, Aylesford
Valley Flaxflour Ltd., Middleton

SOUTHWESTERN NOVA SCOTIA
Allendale Electronics Limited, Lockeport