Equity Investors Incentive

Raising private capital can be a major hurdle for startups and growing companies, especially in smaller markets. For Prince Edward Island businesses with strong growth ambitions, the Equity Investors Incentive is designed to make attracting investors easier by improving the overall return for those who invest. Administered by Innovation PEI, the program doesn’t fund businesses directly; instead, it offers a non-repayable incentive to eligible investors who purchase equity in approved PEI-based companies, helping tip the scales in favour of local investment.

The program is particularly relevant for early-stage and expanding companies focused on export-ready goods or services, including sectors like bioscience, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, information and communications technology, and creative industries. By reducing some of the perceived risk for investors, the Equity Investors Incentive can make it more realistic for PEI businesses to secure the equity financing they need to scale operations, enter new markets, or strengthen long-term viability. Funding support varies by project and investor activity, but the incentive is structured to represent a meaningful rebate on qualifying investments.

Because businesses must be approved by Innovation PEI before accepting investments under the program, planning ahead is essential. For PEI entrepreneurs considering equity financing as part of their growth strategy, learning how this incentive works—and whether your business is a good fit—can be an important step toward unlocking private capital.