Business grants and funding in Ontario

Programs specific to Ontario, then federal programs open to Canadian businesses.

Ontario programs

Business Scale-up and Productivity (Northern Ontario)

Northern Ontario small and medium businesses can seek generally repayable project funding, though the budget is limited because of high demand.

FedNor. Loan. Ontario.

Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit

Corporations can claim a credit on buildings, machinery and equipment used for manufacturing or processing in Ontario.

Government of Ontario. Tax credit. Ontario.

Ontario innovation tax credit

Qualifying corporations doing research in Ontario can claim a refundable credit with their T2 return.

Canada Revenue Agency, for Ontario. Tax credit. Ontario.

Starter Company Plus

Ontario adults starting, growing or buying a small business can get a small grant alongside local support.

Government of Ontario. Grant. Ontario.

Federal programs

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives

Businesses doing eligible research and development in Canada can earn an investment tax credit, claimed with their income tax return.

Canada Revenue Agency. Tax credit. Canada-wide.

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) financial support

Technology-driven small and medium businesses can get project funding and advisor support to research, develop and commercialize products and services.

National Research Council of Canada. Grant. Canada-wide.

Canada Small Business Financing Program

Small businesses and start-ups can borrow through their own financial institution under a federally registered loan program.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through banks, caisses populaires and credit unions. Loan. Canada-wide.

BDC Small Business Loan

Established, profitable Canadian businesses can apply online for a term loan from the federal development bank.

Business Development Bank of Canada. Loan. Canada-wide.

Futurpreneur Startup Program

Young founders who are citizens or permanent residents can get startup loan financing to launch a new business.

Futurpreneur. Loan. Canada-wide.

Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Women entrepreneurs can borrow from delivery organizations to start or grow a business.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, delivered by WEOC, Nventure, NACCA and Evol. Loan. Canada-wide.

Innovative Solutions Canada

Small businesses can compete on government-set challenges to build prototypes, or have the government buy an innovation to test it in real settings.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Grant. Canada-wide.

Student Work Placement Program

Employers can get a wage subsidy for offering work placements to post-secondary students.

Employment and Social Development Canada, through partner organizations. Wage subsidy. Canada-wide.