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.

Genome Canada
Genome Canada- Up to 80% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC Les Basques — Local Investment Fund (FLI) / Local Solidarity Fund (FLS)
MRC Les Basques- Max. $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Innovate BC — Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI)
Government of British Columbia- Max. $10,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration

FACTOR funding for the sound recording industry
Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTR)- From $5,000 to $5,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Assistance program for Festivals, Events and Museum exhibitions
Tourisme Montréal- Min. $10,000
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with government financial aid
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

Toronto Retail Accelerator Program
City of Toronto- Max. $10,000
- Retail trade

Vehicle Retrofit Program — Persons with disabilities
Government of New Brunswick- Max. $8,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Max. $250,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

OVIN — Regional Future Workforce Program
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Educational services

Upskilling for Industry Initiative (UII)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Export 4.0 program — Advanced and Intelligent Technologies
Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Efficient Farming Products
Hydro-Québec- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Market Expansion Fund
Creative BC- Max. $10,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Max. $10,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CED Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative — Indigenous stream
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
Download the official 2025 grants guide
Access key insights to maximize your funding opportunities
Understand the different funding programs and find the best options for your business.

BDC Capital — Intellectual Property-Backed Financing
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Agricultural and Sector Show Support Program – Stream 1.3
Gouvernement du Québec- Max. $115,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Tourism Growth Program — Indigenous Projects for Quebec
Indigenous Tourism Québec (ITQ)- Max. $250,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 1 – Agri-Tech Innovation
Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)- Max. $49,999
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — Not-for-Profit
Canadian Heritage- Max. $2,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) — Producers
Government of Saskatchewan- Max. $100,000
- Up to 5% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program
Government of Alberta- Max. $50,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

OVIN — R&D Partnership Fund – Advanced Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Stream
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Max. $1,000,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Food Processing Growth Fund (FPG)
Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)- From $100,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Social Development Fund of the City of Trois-Rivières
City of Trois-Rivières- No Condition
- All industries

The Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters
Cree Hunters Economic Security Board (CHESB)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Apprenticeship START
Government of Nova Scotia- Max. $25,000
- All industries

Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) — Entrepreneur Support
Government of the Northwest Territories- Max. $25,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Aboriginal Participation Fund (APF) — Values mapping and related projects
Government of Ontario- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Business Rebate Program
NB Power- Max. $250,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with government financial aid
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement for tourism 2022-2025 – Attractions, activities and facilities
Tourisme Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean- From $30,000 to $95,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

EI Premium Reduction Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Market Readiness Subsidy Program
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador- Max. $2,500
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation
Government of New Brunswick- Max. $90,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Max. $3,000,000
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Arts in communities
Government of New Brunswick- No Condition
- All industries

Canada Council for the Arts — Prizes
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- No Condition
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Small-Scale Activities
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Max. $3,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Alberta Innovates — Energy Storage and Minerals
Alberta Innovates- Max. $2,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

OAC — Music – French-language projects
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- Max. $10,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Download the official 2025 grants guide
Access key insights to maximize your funding opportunities
Understand the different funding programs and find the best options for your business.

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- Max. $500,000
- All industries

RDAR — One Health Targeted Call
Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)- Max. $600,000
- Up to 60% of project cost
- All industries

ÉCLO Regional Fund – Stream 1
MRC Lac-Saint-Jean-Est- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Forest Operations Modernization Program
Gouvernement du Québec- From $5,000 to $250,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

AFA — Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Max. $18,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Articipate — Creation and Development Grant
Articipate- Max. $5,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Magazine Publishers Travel Support
Creative BC- Max. $3,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

OAC — Music Creation Projects
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- Max. $20,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

CleanBC — Commercial Express Program
CleanBC- Max. $125,000
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services

Indigenous Genomics Training and Capacity Program – Alberta
Genome Alberta- Max. $400,000
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Ontario Junior Exploration Program
Government of Ontario- Max. $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Entrepreneurial financial assistance program
MRC Thérèse de Blainville- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Taking action for wildlife
Quebec Wildlife Foundation- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Livestock Strategy Program — Strategic Livestock Industry
Government of Prince Edward Island- Max. $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

OAC — Dance Organizations: Operating
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- No Condition
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with government financial aid
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) in the Prairie provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

British Columbia Arts Council Funding
Government of British Columbia- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

ESM — Digital Acceleration
Économie du Savoir Mauricie (ESM)- Max. $27,000
- Up to 45% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Transformation Stream
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- No Condition
- All industries

CRIBIQ-BIOnext
Consortium de recherche et d'innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ)- Max. $15,000
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program — Productivity Enhancement
Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN)- Max. $10,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Quebec Research Fund — Society and Culture Sector (FRQSC)
Québec Research Fund- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Large Scale Projects
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- From $150,000 to $500,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

OAC — French-language broadcasting - how it works
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- Min. $75,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Download the official 2025 grants guide
Access key insights to maximize your funding opportunities
Understand the different funding programs and find the best options for your business.

CMF-SODEC — Predevelopment Program for Television Series Based on Literary Adaptations
Canada Media Fund (CMF)- Max. $50,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Program — Business Planning and Transition Assistance
Government of the Northwest Territories- Max. $250,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MEDTEQ+ — Vitrine d’innovation en santé
Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en technologies médicales du Québec- Max. $350,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- From $25,000 to $500,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Self-Employment Assistance
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador- No Condition
- All industries

Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant
Government of Ontario- Max. $17,000
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade

Disaster Financial Assistance Program — Small Business
Government of Nova Scotia- Max. $200,000
- All industries

Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (PAEN)
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

ARBJ — Company follow-up program (PSE)
Administration régionale Baie-James (ARBJ)- Max. $20,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Toronto Eco-Roof Incentive Program
City of Toronto- Max. $100,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- All industries

Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges — Futurpreneur Canada
Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges- Max. $60,000
- All industries

Call for projects for digital cultural development in the Canadian Francophonie
Gouvernement du Québec- Max. $25,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Musicaction — Incubator project
Musicaction- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

AFA — Music Individual Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Max. $18,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

One-time assistance for Indigenous media
Gouvernement du Québec- Max. $50,000
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with government financial aid
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM)- Max. $1,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

MRC Deux-Montagnes— Regional and Rural Fund (FRR) – Stream 2
MRC Deux-Montagnes- From $5,000 to $150,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Northwest Territories Arts Council Funding
NWT Arts Council- Max. $5,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Canadian Goods Abroad program
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Rural Economic Development program — Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream
Government of Ontario- Max. $250,000
- Up to 30% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

PacifiCan — Jobs and Growth Fund — Indigenous Stream
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

ventureLAB — Accelerate AI
ventureLAB- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Max. $50,000
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

First Nations Training to Employment Program
Government of Alberta- Up to 51% of project cost
- All industries

Genome Prairie — Precision Health Initiative
Genome Prairie- Max. $6
- Up to 45% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance
Download the official 2025 grants guide
Access key insights to maximize your funding opportunities
Understand the different funding programs and find the best options for your business.

Aboriginal Business Loans — General
Ulnooweg- Up to 75% of project cost
- Construction
- Other services (except public administration)

Invest Nova Scotia — Acceleration Initiatives
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Regional Initiatives Fund (FAIR)
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- Max. $150,000
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

MRC Brome-Missisquoi — Residential Adaptation Assistance Program (RAAP)
MRC Brome-Missisquoi- Max. $50,000
- All industries

Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- From $500,000 to $1,125,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

PRCCM – Stream 2
Gouvernement du Québec- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Community Facility Enhancement Program Large (CFEP)
Government of Alberta- From $125,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Quebec Fisheries Fund — Science partnerships
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- Max. $500,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting