Each of these firms employs approximately 20 workers. Federally administered, the Innovation Fund offers direct grants of support primarily to SMEs defined broadly to include also entrepreneurs as well as larger firms that involve SMEs in proposed projects. The fund supports three types of projects: those aimed at producing product, process, material or service innovations, those seeking to create or strengthen centers or teams with a focus on engineering, design and technological development, and projects in technology-focused startups that support pre-commercialization activities, such as pilot testing.