Business Financing in Canada
Funding is a crucial element for any business looking to start, grow, or innovate. In addition to traditional options such as bank loans or relying on investors, there is a frequently underestimated alternative: grants. This detailed guide explores the various sources of grants available, as well as the financial services and sustainable funding strategies for businesses in Canada. By following the outlined steps, entrepreneurs can identify grants suited to their projects, whether they are government programs, innovation funds, or initiatives specifically targeting certain sectors. Grants are an advantageous solution, often non-repayable, allowing businesses to fund their projects without resorting to debt.

Transportez vert — Direct current fast charging station
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC Portneuf — Business Support Fund
MRC Portneuf- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Policy to support structuring projects
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Project Seed Funding in Grid Innovation
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)- From $50,000 to $150,000
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Ville de La Tuque — RRF stream 2 - Support for local and regional development skills
Ville de La Tuque- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC Les Appalaches — FRR Part 4
MRC des Appalaches- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Public administration

Emissions Reduction Advancement Program (ERAP)
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Sustainable Forest Management Program
MRC Charlevoix-Est- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing

MRC Maskinongé — Business Succession
MRC de Maskinongé- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program (CHIP)
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)- From $5,000 to $80,000
- Public administration

SODEC — Support for cultural events
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

RCM de la Mitis — FLI/FLS
La Mitis RCM (MRC)- No Condition
- All industries

Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIT)
Mirabel Economique- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Genome British Columbia — Data Access, Integration and Analysis Program (DAIA) 2
Genome British Columbia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Ville de La Tuque — RRF stream 3 - Innovation Signature
Ville de La Tuque- Maximum amount : 1,051,050 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Retail trade

PME MTL — Je relève le défi vert
PME MTL- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

Genome British Columbia — GeneSolve Program
Genome British Columbia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services

PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Business Scale-Up and Productivity
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- From $200,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

MRC Haut-Richelieu — FRR – Stream 3
MRC du Haut-Richelieu- Maximum amount : 2,139,780 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Public administration

La Ruche — FMC+
La Ruche- From $10,000 to $50,000
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Financial assistance program for associations and organizations for training and information projects in occupational health and safety
The Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST)- No Condition
- All industries

MRC L’Île-d’Orléans — Capitale-Nationale Region Fund (FRCN) – Île d’Orléans Stream
MRC L'Île-d'Orléans- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — Business Support Fund – Stream 1
MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville- Maximum amount : 6,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- All industries

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement for tourism 2022-2025 – Hosting
Tourisme Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean- From $30,000 to $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with grants!
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

Genome British Columbia — Sector Innovation Program
Genome British Columbia- From $250,000 to $500,000
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Créavenir
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

MRC Collines-de-l'Outaouais — FRR Stream 2
MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Défi-Québec, Sustainable City
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Social economy enterprises — Support for structuring projects
Quebec City- Up to 80% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Genome British Columbia — Genomics Innovation Fund – Intake 002
Genome British Columbia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC La Matanie — Grant and Sponsorship Program
MRC La Matanie- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Community Organization Assistance Program (PAOC) – Support for needs determined by the SHQ
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC La Haute-Côte-Nord — Support for preliminary studies and expertise funds for project implementation (PSEFE)
MRC La Haute-Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Sports Support Program - National Sport Organization
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- All industries

Alberta Agricultural Societies Program
Government of Alberta- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Laurentides Tourism — Regional Partnership and Digital Transformation Agreement in Tourism (EPRTNT) – Attractions, activities, and amenities
Laurentides Tourism- From $30,000 to $95,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Genome British Columbia — Societal Issues Competition
Genome British Columbia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Indigenous Languages Program - Indigenous Languages Component - Inuit Language Funding Model
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services

MRC L'Islet — SME Propulsion Measurement
MRC de L'Islet- From $3,000 to $25,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services

Évolution-Compétences — Call for projects Parcours Exploration
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

APCHQ — Affordable Housing Innovation Fund
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)- No Condition
- Construction
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance

MRC Bellechasse — Social Economy Enterprise Development Fund (FDEÉS)
MRC de Bellechasse- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

IP financing - Full members of IAC
Innovation asset collective (IAC)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) in the Prairie Provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- From $200,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Propulsion Funds
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

MRC La Vallée-de-l’Or — Support Program for Events and Festivals
MRC La Vallée-de-l'Or- From $500 to $5,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Northern Ontario Development Program — Community Economic Development
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Up to 33% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing

MRC La Vallée-de-l’Or — Regions and Rurality Fund – Component 3 – Market Gardening Program
MRC La Vallée-de-l'Or- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC Fjord-du-Saguenay — Development Optimisation Fund
MRC Fjord-du-Saguenay- From $2,000 to $3,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
Find tailored funding for your business
Discover more grants on the helloDarwin platform
Look through over 4,000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

Sustainable Growth Investment — Growth Support
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Support program for the development of reserved designations and promotional terms — Component 2
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC Caniapiscau — FDE
MRC de Caniapiscau- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

Matane — Green Fund Program
City of Matane- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Energy Innovation Program – Advancing Canada’s clean energy future
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC La Matanie — Local Investment Funds
MRC La Matanie- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Transportez vert — Coaching for energy management
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

True North
Purolator- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Company succession
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

MRC La Côte-de-Beaupré — Social Economy Business Development Fund (FDEES)
MRC La Côte-de-Beaupré- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Canada’s Next Sustainable Changemaker Challenge
Elevate Talent- No Condition
- Utilities
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Financial assistance to promote food security in northern communities
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 275,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Financial assistance for tourism festivals and events — Stream 4
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Portneuf — Support Fund for Structuring Projects
MRC Portneuf- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 3.3
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC L'Islet — Measures to help develop places in educational childcare services in a family environment
MRC de L'Islet- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Genomics integration program – Agriculture and biofood, forestry and environment
Génome Québec- From $50,000 to $150,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Novoclimat — Construction professionals — Big Multiple Unit Buildings
Environnement Québec (MELCC)- No Condition
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing

CQRDA — INNOV-R
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

SODEXPORT — Component 3: Collective presence at markets and fairs, and other export activities
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Musicaction — Skills development
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Les Appalaches — Water quality improvement fund
MRC des Appalaches- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Strategic Science Fund (SSF)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Up to 15% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Musicaction — National marketing – Stream 1 - Promotion
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Kamouraska — Regional Outreach Support Program (FRR-1)
MRC Kamouraska- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services
Access over 10 000 different funding opportunities
Try the helloDarwin platform today and find programs that fit your needs
The helloDarwin application makes it easy to unlock grants so your business can grow faster—with less hassle and more impact.

Génome Québec — Commercialization Priming
Génome Québec- From $50,000 to $100,000
- Up to 27% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Tourism Innovation Program — Stream 3 - Networking with regional innovation organisations
MT Lab- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Maskinongé — Futurpreneur Canada
MRC de Maskinongé- No Condition
- All industries

Support program for economic development projects (PAPDE) — Component 1 : Supporting the development of entrepreneurship
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- All industries

SODEC — Support for innovative initiatives
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 3
MRC de Joliette (CDÉJ)- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — Business Support Fund – Stream 2
MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

PROMPT — GHG reduction – Academic component
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Musicaction — National marketing – Stream 2 - Stage activities
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Portneuf — Capitale-Nationale Region Fund (FRCN)
MRC Portneuf- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Media Artists Program : Creation
Toronto Arts Council (TAO)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

CQRDA — PSO-International
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Call for artists - creating artworks with residents of Villeray
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Beauce-Centre — Labor fund
MRC Beauce-Centre- From $3,500 to $5,000
- Manufacturing

MRC La Jacques-Cartier — Capitale-Nationale Region Fund
MRC La Jacques-Cartier- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Sustainable Development Support Program for Mining Sector Companies — Stream C
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Cultural Development Fund
RCM Vallée-Du-Richelieu- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support
Promotion Saguenay- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

MRC Kamouraska — Support Program for Innovative Projects for Cultural Development and Community Animation
MRC Kamouraska- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges — FDEÉS
Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative - Indigenous stream
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Maximum amount : 450,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Intercultural Projects
MRC Charlevoix-Est- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Signature Innovation Fund
MRC Charlevoix-Est- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC Témiscouata — Signature Innovation Fund - Component 3 - Rurality and Region Fund
MRC Témiscouata- Maximum amount : 218,798 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

SODEC — Assistance for businesses in the arts and crafts sector — Stream 1
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation