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Small Business Grants – Ontario

Ontario Small Business Grants

This grant blog addresses the following topics:

  • Small business grants in Ontario are presented in the following categories: Agriculture, Indigenous, and technology
  • Two secret gems
  • Other Ontario small business grants and startup resources

Do small business grants exist for startup companies?

Yes.

Are there many?

No.

Where are they?

Further down in this blog.

Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas

There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.

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Contrary to what you probably heard, you will find few small business grants in Ontario for startup companies. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Governments are risk adverse; they are reluctant to give money to startup businesses.

Everyone knows that the majority of businesses start and fail within a couple of years. But don’t let discourage you! Just be smart and work hard.

Most grants are for established businesses (and established non-profits).

The good news is that some small business grants do exist for Ontario startup businesses, and we present them here for your convenience.

3 Grants You Need To Know About

1. AGRICULTURE | MARKET ACCESS INITIATIVE

Value: Funding is available for 75 per cent of eligible costs.

Description:

The Market Access Initiative is a targeted cost-share intake available to help businesses and organizations across the Ontario supply value-chain that are directly involved in or support the production, processing and/or sales of agri-food or agri-products for domestic or export markets and have been directly impacted by trade restrictions

Eligible Applicants:

Applicants across the Ontario supply value chain made up of “for-profit” and “not-for profit” legal entities that are directly involved in or support the production, processing and/or sales of agri-food or agri-products for domestic or export markets and have been directly impacted by trade restrictions.

Not-For-profit

A legally recognized entity that is:

  • a registered charity, as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and remains in good standing with the CRA; or
  • a corporation incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation or similar entity under an Act of Canada or a province or territory of Canada and is in good standing under that Act; and
  • has operations in Ontario (i.e., located in Ontario) and, where applicable, has;
  • a membership composed primarily of Ontario residents/businesses/organizations.

For-Profit

A legally recognized entity engaged in a business that has:

  • operations in Ontario; and
  • has a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification Number* (Premises ID) for the business location where the project is to take place.

Eligible Expenses:

Assessment and Planning for Market Development
(75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000 cost-share per project)

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to develop plans and assessments to access new and emerging or expanding domestic or export markets.

Accessing Markets and Development of Products or Processes – Domestic
(75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 cost-share per project)

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to implement marketing plans that focus on sector diversification to help access or expand new or existing domestic markets.

Accessing Markets and Development of Products or Processes – International
(75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 cost-share per project)

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to implement marketing plans that focus on sector diversification to help access or expand new or existing export markets.

Deadline: Applicants may only have one application under consideration at any given time.

Contact: 1-877-424-1300 |  ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca

Website: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/market_access.htm

2.  National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) |  Indigenous Growth Fund

Value: Each year over $100 million in new loans are made to Indigenous businesses, 500 start-ups are financed, and 750 existing businesses are financed.

Description:

The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), is a membership-driven national association for a network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions, or AFIs. NACCA supports the AFI network, which offers financing to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit businesses and communities. NACCA is committed to the needs of AFIs and the Aboriginal businesses that they serve.

The Indigenous Growth Fund is a new, innovative fund created by NACCA that will leverage government investment to raise additional capital from institutional investors.  The fund will make capital available to the Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) to provide loans to new and expanding Indigenous businesses.

Contact Information:
Phone: (613) 688-0894
Toll-free: (844) 827-0327 |  Fax: (613) 688-0895
Email: info@nacca.ca
Website: https://nacca.ca/

CONTACT LISTS OF REGIONAL ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (AFI) IN ONTARIO:

AFI LOCATION
Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) Stirling
Métis Voyageur Development Fund Inc. (MVDF) Ottawa
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) Fort William First Nation
Rainy Lake Tribal Area Business & Financial Services Corporation Fort Frances
Tecumseh Community Development Corporation (TCDC) Sarnia
Two Rivers Community Development Centre Ohsweken
Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation Moose Factory
Waubetek Business Development Corporation Birch Island

 

3. TECHNOLOGY | The Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) program

Value: Between $20,000 and $150,000 to the post-secondary institution (minimum $20,000 per year)

Description

The Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) program helps companies develop, implement and commercialize technical innovations by supporting partnerships between Ontario’s industry and publicly funded post-secondary institutions. VIP projects are intended to generate economic benefit for companies in Ontario (including job creation/retention, new revenue generation, investment attraction, cost savings, value chain development), in the short-to-medium term (e.g. within three years of project completion).

Eligible Applicants

Research Partner:

  • Principal investigator at Ontario publicly funded university/research hospital, or applied research officer at Ontario publicly funded college

Industry Partner:

  • For-profit company
  • Incorporated in Ontario for a minimum of two years, and five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in Ontario
  • Operations and/or R&D in Ontario with capacity to commercialize results of the project

Project:

  • Utilizes unique skills/resources of post-secondary institution to meet industry innovation and commercialization needs

Eligible Expenses:

Project:

  • Utilizes unique skills/resources of post-secondary institution to meet industry innovation and commercialization needs

Contact Information:

Phone: (416) 861-1092 or 1 (866) 759-6014 (toll-free)

Website: https://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/voucher-for-innovation-and-productivity-(vip)

 

TWO SECRET GEMS

GRANT GEM ONE

Grants for Not-for-Profits Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship

  • Get a grant for a project that helps youth gain entrepreneurship experience. This grant is a multi-year funding of $1.0-1.2 million per year, for up to three years, and is available to the selected proposal.

To receive a grant through the Entrepreneurship Learning Stream, your project must identify a challenge facing young entrepreneurs and provide a response that will:

  • help youth with entrepreneurship experience start or grow a business; or
  • help young entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of growth in an existing business; and
  • be available across the province.

Find out more about this grant here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/student-entrepreneurs-and-non-profits-grants. You may also send them e-mail at: outhpartnerships@ontario.ca

GRANT GEM TWO

Finding grants can be time consuming and painful, so I put my entire grant database online for you for FREE! The list of Ontario grants is growing in the database. Enjoy.

Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas

There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.

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OTHER START-UP GRANTS AND RESOURCES 

While few grants exist for start-up businesses, Ontario has several government-funded and private organizations to help you get started. They provide various program that you may want to check to help your needs. Here is the list to give you ideas for your existing and future ventures: 

Across Ontario

Ontario Government Startup

Description
The Ontario government provides information on Ontario’s economy and how to do business in the province. There is also a list of available grants and funding by sector. You may want to check the following links:

Websites:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/business-and-economy

http://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/GrantOpportunities/GrantsbySector/index.htm

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Description
FedNor is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Through its programs and services, and through its financial support of projects that lead to job creation and economic growth, FedNor works with businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario.

FedNor supports economic diversification and growth in Northern Ontario through various programs:

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

Community Futures Program

Economic Development Innitiative (EDI)

Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF)

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

Youth Internship

To find a listing of FedNor’s offices across Northern Ontario, visit their website: http://fednor.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/home

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)

Description
FedDev Ontario works to create opportunities for economic growth in southern Ontario by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive. The agency also works with southern Ontario communities to develop and diversify local economies.

There are three core funding streams designed to meet the needs of southern Ontario innovators, job creators and communities.

FedDev Ontario also delivers the following nationally coordinated programs tailored to fit regional needs and opportunities for growth:

FedDev Contact Information:
Phone: 1-866-593-5505
Website: http://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00122.html?OpenDocument

Community Futures Program

The Community Futures Program is a Government of Canada initiative which supports 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Ontario — FedDev Ontario works with the 37 CFDCs in rural Eastern and Southern Ontario, while FedNor works with the 24 organizations in the North.

Community CFDCs offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth. CFDCs provide:

  • Strategic community planning and socio-economic development;
  • Support for community-based projects;
  • Business information and planning services;
  • Access to capital for small- and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.

Check their website below to find the CFDC office nearest you or contact them at:
Phone: 1-888-633-2326
E-mail: info@cfontario.ca
Website: https://www.cfontario.ca/public-information

 

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

Description

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) wants to partner with business-minded Northerners to develop innovative technologies, invest in infrastructure, bolster collaboration and build economic development capacity for strengthening the North’s competitive advantage.

The NOHFC offers six programs: 

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-705-945-6700

Website: https://nohfc.ca/en/

Starter Company Plus

Value: up to $5,000

Description

If you’re starting, expanding or buying a small business, apply for training, mentoring and a grant through Starter Company Plus. What you get through Starter Company Plus, you can:

  • get one-on-one guidance from a Small Business Enterprise Centre advisor
  • participate in business workshops, seminars or networking events
  • topics range from writing a business plan to budgeting to marketing campaigns
  • talk to a mentor with experience in starting, expanding or buying a small business

For more information on small business in Ontario, contact:

Email: info.mailbox@ontario.ca

Phone: 416-326-3408

TTY: 416-325-3408

Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/small-business-advice-support-services-regulations

Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre | Next Level Program

Value: Cover 50% up to $10,000.00 in assistance towards approved costs in the above categories.

Description

If you are a business with an innovative product or service and looking to expand, Next Level can help. Oftentimes, businesses have difficulty accessing funding for growth and get stuck doing the same old thing. This program is designed to help businesses capitalize on market opportunities, expand, and grow.

The purpose of the Next Level program funding is to assist with innovative business growth.  This support may be applicable to contracted expertise, services or direct costs in any of the following areas.

Contact Information:

Phone: 807-768-6681

E-mail: kendall@nwoinnovation.ca

Website: https://www.nwoinnovation.ca/next-level

 

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

Description

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. With the help of leaders in the public benefit sector and relying on the expertise of our staff and volunteers, OTF has identified the most important changes that should happen in Ontario over the next decade for communities to be more healthy and vibrant.

For over 30 years, the core business of the foundation has been to invest in community-based initiatives that help build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario. OTF awarded $108 million to 626 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

Contact Information:

Phone: 416.963.4927 or 1.800.263.2887 (toll-free)

E-mail: otf@otf.ca

Website: https://otf.ca/

 

Ontario Labour Market Partnerships

Description

The Labour Market Partnerships program supports partnerships among employers, employer/employee associations, and community organizations. The program is intended to help partners to:

  • Promote the creation of broad industry/community partnerships necessary to address labour market issues
  • Assist local communities with the development of innovative strategies to prepare for future skills requirements and prevent skills shortages within new and emerging industries and organizations
  • Plan for effective utilization of local human resources
  • Develop and promote labour market intelligence and its use in labour market development

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-800-387-5656, or (416) 326-5656

Website: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employers/labourMarket.html

Ontario Job Creation Partnerships

Description

Ontario Job Creation Partnerships is an employment program that provides you with work experience if you’re unemployed. It gives you the opportunity to work on projects that benefit the community or local economy.

Contact information:

Phone: 1-800-387-5656

TTY: 1-866-533-6339

Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-job-creation-partnerships

 

Employment Service, Youth Job Connection or Youth Job Connection Summer

Description

Hire a young person through Employment Service, Youth Job Connection or Youth Job Connection Summer – see how these programs can benefit you as an employer and learn more about new financial incentives for small businesses.

Contact Information:

Phone: 416-326-5656 or 1-800-387-5656 (toll-free)

TTY: 1-866-533-6339

E-mail: contactEO@ontario.ca

Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/hire-young-person

Ontario’s Summer Company Program

Value: $3,000

Description

Through this program, eligible applicants can get:

  • start-up money to kick-off a new summer business
  • advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running

Learning how to run your own student business is one of the best summer jobs you can have. You get to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills you’ll develop.

Find out more about this program here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Description

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers students a chance to attend school and train as registered apprentices at the same time. Students are able to complete their credits required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and gain apprenticeship training leading to a Certificate of Qualification in a skilled trade at the same time. The program is available to students who are at least 16 years of age and who have completed 16 credits.

Website: https://oyap.com/en/employers/how_oyap_works/

 

Ontario Creates | Interactive Digital Media Fund

Description

Through consultation with stakeholders, Ontario Creates has created a range of programs and resources to provide financial, strategic and research support to Ontario’s cultural entrepreneurs and established trade and event organizations from the interactive industry.

Ontario Creates support provides opportunities for producers of interactive content to create new products, access existing and new markets and grow their business. Support is also available to established trade and event organizations for activities that stimulate the growth of Ontario’s interactive industry. Research grants are also available to incorporated not-for-profit industry organizations undertaking research initiatives that support or complement the mandate of Ontario Creates.

Contact Information:

Enquiries regarding support for the Interactive sector should be directed to:

Program Coordinator, Industry Initiatives

Phone: 416-642-6697

E-mail: idmfund@ontariocreates.ca

Enquiries regarding research for the Interactive sector should be directed to:

Research and Strategic Planning department

Phone: 416-314-6858

E-mail: research@ontariocreates.ca

Website: http://www.ontariocreates.ca/interactive/Interactive_Digital_Media_Fund.htm

 

Artrepreneur | Barrie

Artrepreneur Barrie is a program designed to equip independent artists, arts administrators and creative entrepreneurs with vital business skills needed for success across all arts disciplines and industries.

The program is comprised of weekly seminars and workshops, assignments, mentorships and a final presentation and expo over a period of four-months.  It primarily serves Barrie based artists, arts groups, arts businesses and creative entrepreneurs working in all creative disciplines such as, though not limited to, visual arts, dance, theatre, film, music, jewelry, fashion, graphic design, gaming and augmented reality.  Sessions are hands-on and will range in format from lectures to peer-to-peer workshops.

Deadline: Varies

Contact Information:

Phone: 705-726-4242

E-mail: servicebarrie@barrie.ca

Website: https://www.barrie.ca/Culture/Programs/Pages/Artrepreneur.aspx

 

Canadian Hearing Services | Employment Services

Description
Employment Services at CHS helps Deaf and hard of hearing individuals find a job, and works with employees and employers to put the right supports in place to help you both succeed. This organization provides services, free-of-charge to job seekers aged 16 and over, and employers looking for qualified staff. Employment Services is offered at 15 CHS locations across Ontario.

CHS offers a wide range of programs and services, products and information at our locations across Ontario to help remove communication barriers at home, at school and at work, and provide support and advice for people of all ages who are Deaf and hard of hearing. To learn more, please check their website: https://www.chs.ca/employment-services.

To find the CHS Audiology Program nearest you, please call 1-866-216-7310.

Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas

There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.

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 Across Canada

Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative

Description:
The government of Canada is helping Canadian small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up and access new markets. A strong venture capital ecosystem is critical to achieving this goal and to creating middle class jobs.

Website: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/eng/h_03052.html

NRC IRAP (National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program)

Value: NRC IRAP was mandated to expand its support to include an increased funding threshold of up to $10 million for larger research and development projects.

Description
If you’re a small or medium‑sized Canadian business pursuing technology‑driven innovation, you may be eligible for financial support from NRC IRAP. Under this program, NRC will provide funding to eligible firms under technology innovation projects and youth employment strategy programs.

Eligibility:

  • You are an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada
  • You have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
  • You plan to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada

*If you meet the following criteria, connect with NRC IRAP by calling 1-877-994-4727 to find out if your business is eligible for NRC IRAP support:

Eligibile Expenses:
Following your ITA’s assessment of your business and proposed project, they may invite you to develop a project proposal for financial support through NRC IRAP. They will assess your proposal within three months, taking into consideration:

  • the project’s technical aspects and potential impacts on your business
  • your business, management, and financial capacity
  • your assessed potential to achieve expected results
  • your commercialization plan
  • the overall market and commercialization opportunity
  • the anticipated benefits to Canada

*If successful, you’ll receive the financial contribution to share the costs of your R&D project activities, and you will need to submit monthly reimbursement claims to NRC IRAP.

Contact Information:
Phone: 1-877-994-4727
Website: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/financial-support-technology-innovation-through-nrc-irap

Agriculture Adaptation Council

Description

At the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) we’re leaders in administering government funding to help you build your agribusiness ideas.

The AAC is a not-for-profit organization and is made up of over 60 Ontario agricultural, agri-food and rural organizations, and the council’s understanding of the needs of agricultural sector will help you make funding decisions.

Contact Information:
Phone: 519-822-7554
F: 519-822-624
E-mail:  info@adaptcouncil.org
Website: https://adaptcouncil.org/about-aac

 

Canada Small Business Financing Program

Value:

You may qualify for loans to a maximum of $1 million to establish your start-up or to expand or improve your small business.

Description:

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to obtain loans from financial institutions because the government shares the risk with the lenders.

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-866-959-1699

Website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csbfp-pfpec.nsf/eng/home

 

Startup Canada

Description:
Startup Canada is a grassroots network of entrepreneurs working together to build an environment for entrepreneurship in Canada. Through online platforms, grassroots Startup Communities and cross-sector initiatives, Startup Canada is advancing entrepreneurial momentum and a culture of entrepreneurship, as the voice of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Contact: Startup Canada | (613) 627-0787 | hello@startupcan.ca
Website: http://www.startupcan.ca/


Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) 

Description:

The Canada Foundation for Innovation makes financial contributions to Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research organizations to increase their capability to carry out high quality research.

The foundations’ funding architecture is designed to deliver on this mandate. It does this by responding to the evolving needs of Canadian research institutions and their researchers. It also covers the full spectrum of research from discovery to technology development. The streamlined funding structure offers institutions ways to both acquire research infrastructure and to support its ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

Active Funds

John R. Evans Leaders Fund

  • Value: up to $800,000
  • Description: Enables a select number of an institution’s excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development, aligned with their strategic priorities.

Innovation Fund

  • Value: Up to $400 million in research infrastructure funding and will fund up to 40 percent of a project’s eligible infrastructure costs.
  • Description: Provides investments in infrastructure, across the full spectrum of research, from the most fundamental to applied through to technology development.

College- Industry Innovation Fund

  • Value: Varies
  • Description: Intended to support substantial research infrastructure projects that will augment the existing applied research and technology development capacity of colleges, and allow them to respond to important sector industry needs.

Major Science Innitiative Fund

  • Value: Varies
  • Description: Supports ongoing operating and maintenance (O&M) needs of national research facilities through the Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund.

Exeptional Opportunities Fund

  • Value: Maximum of 40 percent of the total eligible costs of the infrastructure project.
  • Description: Designed for those very few instances when an exceptional research opportunity would be missed if a project had to wait to undergo the normal course of a national competition before a decision could be rendered.

Contact Information:
Phone: 613.947.6496
E-mail: feedback@innovation.ca
Website: https://www.innovation.ca/awards


Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

BDC has providing support for small and medium-sized businesses by providing business loans financing for entrepreneurs from various industries:  Aerospace, Automotive, Construction, Fisheries, Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Mining, Oil and Gas, Technology, Tourism.

Get your project underway with the right financing for your business:

For business operating less than 12 months

  • Futurpreneur Canada – entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 may be eligible for up to $60,000 and two years of mentoring.

For business operating more than 12 months

  • Start-up financing – for businesses who have been at the start-up phase for at least 12 months and have generated revenues.

For business operating more than 24 months and generating reveneus

  • BDC’s Small Business Loan : business loan up to $100,000
  • Other Financing tailored to your business needs (Buy a business, Invest in real estate, Purchase equipment, Purchase order financing, Technology financing, Transfer a business, Working capital, Xpansion loan)- business loan to more than $100,000

Contact Information:
Phone: 1-877-232-2269
Website: https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pages/default.aspx

Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC)

Description

Community Futures operates 267 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural communities. Each office delivers small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

Funding for Community Futures offices and the CFNC Network is provided by the Government of Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.

Contact Information:

Name: Executive Director: Lindsay Hugenholtz Sherk

Phone: 1.888.633.2326, ext. 5

E-mail: admin@communityfuturescanada.ca

Website: https://communityfuturescanada.ca/

 

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS)

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.

The YESS is a horizontal initiative involving eleven federal departments and agencies.

To learn more and how to apply to YESS funding programs, check their website:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/youth-employment-strategy.html

 

Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy

Value: The Government of Canada is investing $85.3 million over five years to help Canadian businesses, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators understand, protect and access intellectual property (IP) through a comprehensive IP Strategy.

Description

IP means innovation. Canadian businesses, entrepreneurs, creators and innovators have fantastic ideas, do incredible research, and create amazing products and inventions. IP plays a critical role in exploiting the growth and innovation of potential businesses. An IP strategy for your business can help extract value from existing products and services, create new revenue streams and raise capital.

To learn more, please click: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/108.nsf/eng/home

 

Export Development Canada (EDC)

Ready to export products, services or experiences, discover the next step for your business through Export Development Canada (EDC).

Whether your business is big or small, you can always find new customers beyond our borders.

Check their website for more detail: https://www.edc.ca/

 

Nutrition North Canada

Nutrition North Canada is a Government of Canada subsidy program to provide Northerners in isolated communities with improved access to perishable nutritious food.

This subsidy program provides a food subsidy in 116 isolated northern communities. There are 3 unique subsidy levels for items shipped by air for each community, and a $1.00 per kilogram subsidy for items shipped by seasonal ground transportation (winter road, sealift, or barge) for all eligible communities.

Want to know more? Check here: https://www.nutritionnorthcanada.gc.ca/eng/1415385762263/1415385790537

 

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) | Supercluster Projects

Description

NGen through its Supercluster Projects promote technology adoption, skills improvements and greater collaboration between technology and manufacturing to help Canadian companies of all sizes navigate the global shift to advanced manufacturing.

Website: https://www.ngen.ca/

AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster (SCALE.AI)

 

Value: 40% of eligible costs for collaborative projects

Description

Scale AI helps companies enhance their AI-based product and service offerings, as well as assists with AI go-to-market strategies to boost revenues.

Access resources, expert advice and funding to cover up to 40% of eligible costs for collaborative projects that can accelerate the adoption and commercialization of AI for supply chains. At least one partner must be an SME, and at least one partner must be an adopter of the technology.

Website: https://www.scaleai.ca/projects/

 

Grand Challenges Canada: Indigenous Innovation Initiative

Value: Projects can apply for seed funding amounts of between $100,000 to $250,000 to develop and test their bold ideas.

Description

The Indigenous Innovation Initiative seeks bold ideas that will advance equality for Indigenous peoples across Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in urban, rural, remote, and Northern regions.

Website: https://www.grandchallenges.ca/2020/the-indigenous-innovation-initiative-launches-inaugural-program/

 

Strategic Innovation Fund – Stream 5

Description

This stream is focused on supporting national ecosystems. It will support large-scale initiatives that create high-impact collaborations to support Canadian innovation ecosystems.

The Lead Applicant is either a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada or a for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada, in collaboration with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations (including SMEs) and/or not-for-profit entities.

Website: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/125.nsf/eng/home

 

Sustainable Development Technology Canada : SD Tech Fund

Description

The SD Tech Fund supports projects that are pre-commercial and have the potential to demonstrate significant and quantifiable environmental and economic benefits in one or more of the following areas: climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil.

This fund is active and accepting applications through a continuous-intake process.

To learn more, visit their website: https://www.sdtc.ca/en/apply/

 

Conclusion:

Starting a business can be one of the best decisions in your life. I strongly recommend you do it. However, you need to be wise. The government provides many resources for entrepreneurs, but they may not be what you expected. Similar to other provinces, Ontario doesn’t have numerous small business grants for starting a business, but it does have several valuable resources.

Once you have identified your top grant, I strongly encourage you to call them and ask these six questions.

 

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