A Comprehensive Resource for Entrepreneurs
Last updated: 6/23/2026
Entrepreneurs often report that finding grant and financing options is one of the most challenging aspects of starting or growing a business. There is also a myth that there is free grant money for all businesses but unfortunately, that is just not true.
Most available grant programs are targeted strictly to:
- specific industries
- geographical areas
- particular groups of entrepreneurs (minority groups, youth, employment insurance recipients, innovation, etc.)
To better assist business owners in their funding pursuit, a comprehensive list has been curated below of various grants, loans, tax credits, and wage subsidies, that provide support for a range of sectors from digital media and healthcare to food processing and retail.
Please note: each of the programs listed below has its own eligibility criteria and requirements. Please read each one carefully to be sure your business is eligible.
Featured Funding Resources (Start Here):
Traditional Financing:
Available through:
- RBC Business Banking
- TD Small Business Banking
- Scotiabank Small Business Banking
- BMO Business Banking
- CIBC Business Banking
Credit Union Financing:
Products:
- Business Loans
- Lines of Credit
- Equipment Financing
- Commercial Mortgages
- Business Credit Cards
Government-Backed Loan Programs:
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Programs include:
- Startup Financing
- Working Capital Loans
- Equipment Financing
- Expansion Financing
- Technology Financing
Futurpreneur Canada
Entrepreneurs aged 18-39.
Provides:
- Startup Financing
- Mentorship
- BDC Partnership Financing
Grants & Non-Repayable Funding:
Starter Company Plus
Provides:
- Business Training
- Mentorship
- Grant Funding (up to $5,000)
Summer Company (Youth Entrepreneurs)
Provides:
- Business Training
- Mentorship
- Grant Funding (up to $3,000)
FedDev Ontario Programs
Supports:
- Business Growth
- Productivity Improvements
- Technology Adoption
- Manufacturing Expansion
FedDev Ontario Funding Programs
CanExport SMEs
Funding to explore new export markets.
Export Financing:
Export Development Canada (EDC)
Provides:
- Export Financing
- Credit Insurance
- Bonding Support
- Foreign Buyer Financing
Innovation & Technology Funding:
NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Supports:
- Product Development
- Technology Commercialization
- Innovation Projects
Tax Credits:
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Federal R&D tax incentive.
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
Refundable R&D tax credit.
Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit
Supports manufacturing investments.
Ontario Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit
Hiring & Training Funding:
Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Supports employee training costs.
Community Lending & Microloans:
Access Community Capital Fund
Microloans for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional financing.
Community Futures Ontario
Loans and business support for rural and smaller communities.
Investment Capital:
Angel Investors
National angel investment network.
National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)
Venture Capital
BDC Capital.
Equity-Deserving Entrepreneur Programs:
Black Entrepreneurship Program
Black Entrepreneurship Program
Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program
Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
BDC Newcomer Entrepreneur Financing
BDC Newcomer Entrepreneur Program
Alternative Financing:
Revenue-Based Financing
Examples:
Factoring & Accounts Receivable Financing
Examples:
Merchant Cash Advances
Examples:
Other Financing Options:
- Farm Credit Canada Financing – focused on supporting agriculture, agribusiness, and food and beverage businesses
- LendingLoop – Canada’s most affordable online business loan – built for small business owners
- Fair Finance Fund – for food entrepreneurs
- Rise Asset Development – low-interest small business loans when a traditional loan is not an option
- Alterna Savings Micro-Financing – micro-lending initiatives
- Swoop Funding – loans, financing, and grants for small businesses
Crowdfunding:
This is a method of raising capital in small amounts from a large group of people using the Internet and social media. Individuals are asked to make micro-investments or donations to causes and ventures they believe in. For more information about crowdfunding, please visit the following websites:
Other Government Grants & Financing:
- Ontario Centre of Innovation – digitalization SME grant
- Canada Council for the Arts – championing Canadian artists through grants, services, and prizes
- Ontario Arts Council – provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups/collectives, and organizations. Grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines
- SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund – provides grants for Canadian music creators and publishers working to promote appreciation for Canadian music in today’s society.
- Grants and Subsidies for Agriculture – Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Ontario Trillium Foundation – offers a range of grants to support non-profit organizations
Grant Program Search Platforms:
Search grants, incentives, and tax credits across all industries and regions.
Other Angel Investors & Venture Capital:
Angel investing goes beyond providing funds to start-up businesses. Unlike venture capitalists, angels are involved in the start-up businesses that they invest in to ensure higher returns.
Angel groups in Ontario:
- Angel One Investor Network (Oakville)
- Capital Angel Network (Ottawa – Gatineau)
- Georgian Angel Network (Collingwood)
- Maple Leaf Angels (Toronto)
- Northern Ontario Angels (Thunder Bay)
- Spark Angel Network (Durham and Northumberland)
- Southwestern Ontario Angel Group (London)
- York Angel Investors (Vaughan)
Other Funding for Indigenous Entrepreneurs:
- Waubetek Business Development Corporation – delivers business financing and economic support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities.
- Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund – offers a variety of services to support Aboriginal business and economic development, including financing, business support, community planning, workshops, and bookkeeping training.
- Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario – offers small business financing to support First Nations entrepreneurs and businesses. Funding is offered for equipment, business start-up and expansion, and commercial real estate financing.
- Provincial Funding for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Recommended Funding Path:
Idea Stage
- Personal Savings
- Friends & Family
- Starter Company Plus
- Futurpreneur
Startup Stage
- BDC
- Futurpreneur
- CSBFP
Existing Business
- Bank Financing
- Credit Unions
- BDC
Growth Stage
- FedDev Ontario
- EDC
- IRAP
Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit
- FedDev Ontario
- Hamilton CIP Incentives
Technology & Innovation
- IRAP
- SR&ED
- OITC
- Angel Investment
Property Acquisition or Renovation
- Hamilton CIP Programs
- TIG Programs
- Commercial Revitalization Grants
- Traditional Financing