Financing for Small Businesses in Canada
Small Business Financing in Canada is essential for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their ventures. Whether you are launching a new business or scaling an existing one, finding the right financing options can be crucial to your success. Understanding the various loans and credit options available can help you secure the funds needed to fuel your business growth. This article delves into the different loan programs, personal financing methods, and strategies for working with financial institutions to get your small business funded.
475 opportunities available
Grant and FundingClosed
Disaster Financial Assistance Program — Small Business
Funding for Nova Scotia wildfire damage to small businesses
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Coast Funds Economic Development Fund
Funding for sustainable economic development in Indigenous communities
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Environment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation
Grant and FundingClosed
MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity
Enhancing Quebec's agricultural productivity through equipment funding
Eligible Funding
- From $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to 45% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North — Not-For-Profit
Funding for economic development in Northern Canada
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingArchived
Kakivak Association — Sivummut Grants to Small Businesses
Financial assistance for Inuit entrepreneurs to start or grow businesses
Eligible Funding
- Up to 81% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Business Buyout
Grant and FundingOpen
Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant (AMPG)
Funding for Alberta manufacturers to enhance productivity through technology adoption
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyDigital Transformation
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
ventureLAB — Accelerate AI
Accelerate AI empowers startups with AI innovation support
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Grant and FundingClosed
EPRTNT — Digital development of a company
Digital Tourism Business Development Partnership in Quebec
Eligible Funding
- From $10,000 to $30,000
- Up to 30% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
Digital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity
Canada-UK critical minerals innovation and sustainability collaboration program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund
Supports Toronto businesses in implementing reusable foodservice systems
Eligible Funding
- From $5,000 to $35,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Grant and FundingOpen
Multi-Species Research and Development Fund
Research and development of aquaculture species
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingClosed
CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Industry
Funding for Quebec innovative biopharmaceutical collaborations in AI
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyConstruction and Renovation Innovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Musicaction — International Commercialization – Stream 2 - Career development in a target market
Program supports international promotion and career development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Types of eligible projects
Commercialization
Grant and FundingOpen
Aero Montreal — Accelerator 360°
Growth support for Québec aerospace SMEs expanding into global markets
Eligible Funding
- Up to 63% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
Types of eligible projects
Technology
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
Grow Ontario Market Initiative
Grow Ontario Market Initiative funds agri-food market expansion
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
Types of eligible projects
Commercialization
Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Commercialization, Consulting and Mentoring
Money for commercialization in Atlantic Canada
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 16,250 $
- Up to 65% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
Types of eligible projects
Commercialization
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyEnvironment and Climate
Grant and FundingClosed
Energy Savings for Business Program
Funding for Alberta SMEs to improve efficiency
Eligible Funding
- From $500 to $250,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Alberta Media Fund — Alberta Made Production Grant
Funds for small-budget productions in Alberta
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsOpen
General Business Loans
Financing for business development in Two Rivers, Ontario
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,150,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Commercialization
Grant and FundingOpen
Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — Not-for-profit
Funding for Quebec non-profits promoting official languages
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationConstruction and Renovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Listen, Hear Our Voices — Small projects
Funding to digitize heritage related documentary
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingArchived
MTRIC — Start Program
Advance metal transformation processes and products
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Environment and ClimateInnovation
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Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 75,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Eligible Funding
- From $15,000 to $15,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Types of eligible projects
Digital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpen
Alberta Innovates — Enabling Better Health through Artificial Intelligence
Funding innovative AI-driven solutions to advance health in Alberta
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 800,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Grant and FundingClosed
ACOA Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative — Indigenous Stream
Funding to recover Atlantic's Indigenous-led aerospace sector
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Technology
Grant and FundingOpen
Ville de La Tuque — RRF stream 4 - Support for vitality
Vitalization support in regional and rural areas, 2020-2026
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Grant and FundingOpen
Johansen Larsen Foundation
Supports Canadian programs benefiting youth, Indigenous peoples, and animals
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Funding for Quebec R&D collaborations in AI, using aluminium
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Grant and FundingOpen
Community Tourism Destination Development Fund
Funding for sustainable tourism development in Yukon
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 375,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationConstruction and Renovation Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
OCI — Innovating Digital Health Solutions (IDHS)
Promotes digital health tech partnerships for improved patient care
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
EUREKA!
Funds for international R&D projects
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Tourism Growth Program in Atlantic Canada
Supports Atlantic Canadian tourism projects that enhance year-round visitor experiences
Eligible Funding
- Up to 15% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingOpen
INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream
Supports businesses relocating operations to Northern Ontario for economic growth
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationConstruction and Renovation Digital Transformation
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingWage Subsidies And InternsClosed
OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program
ENCQOR 5G SME Program for Ontario technology development
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingArchived
innovÉÉ — Demonstration in a real environment
Support for SMEs innovating in sustainable transportation and mobility
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
OCI — Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)
Supports Ontario SMEs to implement DMAP-recommended digital technologies
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
Smart Agriculture Living Lab Call for Proposal
Funding innovative smart agriculture solutions for industry challenges
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
ACOA — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative
Funding to recover Atlantic aerospace sector
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingArchived
Kakivak Association — Small Tool Grants
Funding for Inuit artists and craftspeople to buy essential tools
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationBusiness Buyout
Grant and FundingClosed
Transal — Alu 4.0, Digital Locomotive
Supports Quebec aluminum industry's digital transformation initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Up to 46.3% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Digital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpen
Transal — Consortium TIC
Supports digital transition through technical expertise adjustments
Eligible Funding
- Up to 15% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Digital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpen
Trade Mission Support Program
Export assistance for not-for-profit organizations in Northern Ontario
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Small Business Support Program — Sustainable Livelihood Fund
Funds for tourism, arts & crafts and harvesting sectors in Nunavut
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateHuman Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
SODEC — Support for entrepreneurial development — Stream 1
Support for enhancing cultural businesses' entrepreneurial development
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations
Funding for international business development by national organizations
Eligible Funding
- From $20,000 to $250,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Commercialization
Grant and FundingClosed
Toronto Main Street Innovation Fund
The Main Street Innovation Fund supports Toronto's business recovery through grants for innovative community projects.
Eligible Funding
- From $25,000 to $100,000
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
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Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingArchived
Alberta Innovates — Land and Biodiversity Program
Funding for sustainable land use and biodiversity innovation initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario
Support to develop new tourism ideas
Eligible Funding
- From $3,000 to $3,000
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Other SupportGrant and FundingClosed
BOF & BCFC Grant and B3 Capacity Building Program
Funding and capacity development for Black-serving nonprofits
Eligible Funding
- From $20,000 to $20,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS)
Supports scaling operations for food processors in BC
Eligible Funding
- From $25,000 to $150,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyConstruction and Renovation Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Economic Development Capacity Building
Financial incentive for local governments' economic development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
Durham Community Foundation Community Grants
Supports community initiatives aligned with local priorities
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Environment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation Human Resources
Grant and FundingClosed
PacifiCan — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI)
Funding to recover Canada’s aerospace sector in British Columbia
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund
Supports prevention and management of aquatic invasive species
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Environment and Climate
Grant and FundingOpen
OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)
Pre-seed co-investment for Ontario academic spinout technology start-ups
Eligible Funding
- From $500,000 to $250,000
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund - Capacity Building Grants
Capacity building for grassroots Indigenous-led initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 175,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Business Planning, Skills Development and Agriculture Education
Government of New Brunswick, Aquaculture and Fisheries (NB), Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Agriculture business planning and skills development in New Brunswick
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyHuman ResourcesInnovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
Journalism Futures Fund - Organizational Funding Stream
Multi-year support to strengthen independent journalism organizations
Eligible Funding
- From $50,000 to $200,000
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingClosed
True North Small Business Grant Contest
Contest prizes supporting Canadian small business growth
Eligible Funding
- From $25,000 to $25,000
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingOpen
CanNor — IDEANorth
IDEANorth promotes Northern economic diversification and development
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 6,000,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyConstruction and Renovation Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Carrot Cache Fund
Supports projects advancing sustainable, just local food systems
Eligible Funding
- From $500 to $5,000
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingClosed
OTF — Capital Grant
Funding to enhance and upgrade Ontario community facilities and spaces
Eligible Funding
- From $10,000 to $200,000
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Grant and FundingOpen
Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) - Base Funding
Financial support for BC family and group child-care providers
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Advancing Agri-Food Processing
Government of New Brunswick, Aquaculture and Fisheries (NB), Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
New Brunswick agri-food product development funding
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
NGen — AI For Manufacturing Challenge 2024
Support the commercialization of AI/ML solutions in Canadian manufacturing
Eligible Funding
- From $1 to $2,100,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)Digital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
PRIMA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Funding for Quebec R&D collaborations in AI for advanced materials
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Grant and FundingArchived
The Artificial Intelligence innovation funding program (PIIA) - Part 2 : SMEs
AI Innovation Funding Program for Quebec Businesses
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
Artificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Career Launcher Apprenticeship Program
Financial incentive for employers in construction and manufacturing
Eligible Funding
- From $5,000 to $10,000
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation Human Resources
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