Small Business Financing Programs in Ontario
Ontario offers a range of business financing programs to support small businesses in their growth and development. These programs are designed to help businesses access the capital they need to invest in new projects, expand their operations, or adopt new technologies. With the right funding, businesses can strengthen their financial position and achieve long-term success. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the various funding options, grants, and loans available for small businesses in Ontario.

REGI — Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) - Northern Ontario
Government of Canada- Max. $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Regional Development Program — Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC)
Government of Ontario- From $500,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Tourism Growth Program in Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Max. $250,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)- Max. $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All 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.

FedDev Ontario — Economic Development Initiative (Southern Ontario) — Not-For-Profit
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

OCI — Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan program (DMAP)
Government of Ontario- From $15,000 to $15,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Digital Main Street – Digital Transformation Grant Program
Digital Main Street- No Condition
- Retail trade

Food Safety and Growth Initiative
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)- Max. $75,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects
Government of Ontario- Max. $1,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries
Access over 3000 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.

NGen — Cluster Building Project
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)- Max. $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- Max. $5,000
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)
Government of Ontario- Max. $10,000
- All industries

INVEST North Program — Innovation Stream
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)- Max. $2,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

WinterTech Development
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Max. $500,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
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.

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Max. $125,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Construction
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries

OVIN — Electric Vehicle (EV) — Stream 1
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Max. $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Summer Company
Government of Ontario- Max. $3,000
- All industries

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

Starter Company Plus
Government of Ontario- From $5,000 to $5,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- All industries
Find tailored funding for your business
Discover more funding opportunities on the helloDarwin platform
Look through over 3000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

FedDev Ontario — Funding for organizations that help businesses grow
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- From $125,000 to $10,000,000
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

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

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

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

ventureLAB — Accelerate AI
ventureLAB- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Tired of scrolling through all these programs?
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OMIF — Music Industry Initiatives
Government of Ontario- From $10,000 to $300,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program — Not-for-profit organizations
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- Min. $125,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

i.d.e.a. Fund
TechAlliance- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — GROW Pathway
Government of Ontario- Up to 49% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

INVEST North Program — Innovation – Industrial Research Chair
Government of Ontario- Max. $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
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.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund — Small Businesses or Entrepreneurs Developing Agri-tech and Cleantech Solutions
ventureLAB- Max. $10,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Training Stream
Government of Ontario- No Condition
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
Government of Ontario- Max. $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Max. $100,000
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Max. $150,000
- Health care and social assistance
Access over 3000 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.

INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)- Max. $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP)
Government of Ontario- Max. $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

OAC — Literary Organizations Projects
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- Max. $12,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Community Enhancement Program — Enhance Your Community Stream
Government of Ontario- Max. $2,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants
Government of Ontario- From $500,000 to $1,500,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- 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.

BioCreate Program
Ontario Genomics- From $100,000 to $150,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Toronto Main Street Innovation Fund
City of Toronto- From $25,000 to $100,000
- All industries

Ontario Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative
Ministry of Agriculture- Max. $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

NADF Financing
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund- Max. $500,000
- All industries

Small Cidery Program
Agricorp- Max. $220,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Find tailored funding for your business
Discover more funding opportunities on the helloDarwin platform
Look through over 3000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Capital Investment Projects
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Min. $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Agri-Food Supply Chain Infrastructure Investment Stream
Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)- Max. $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade

Trade Mission Support Program
Ontario's North Economic Development Corporation- Max. $10,000
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries

Business Incubation & Commercialization Grant Program
City of Toronto- Max. $100,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- All industries

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects
Government of Ontario- Max. $1,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries
Tired of scrolling through all these programs?
Filter funding opportunities relevant for your company on the helloDarwin platform
Sort over 3,000 business funds by your industry, projects and location with helloDarwin's free app.

Experience Ontario 2025
Government of Ontario- Max. $125,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Max. $1,000,000
- Up to 66% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF)
Government of Ontario- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

EV ChargeON Program
Government of Ontario- Max. $1,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

Toronto — Capacity Buyback Program
City of Toronto- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Educational services
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.

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant
Digital Main Street- No Condition
- Retail trade

thriveFORWARD
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC)- Max. $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

CME’s Technology Investment Program
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- Max. $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Ontario Labour Market Partnerships
Ministry of Colleges and Universities- No Condition
- All industries

FedDev — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative – Adoption Pillar 2 – Businesses
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- Max. $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Finance and insurance
- Health care and social assistance
Access over 3000 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.

Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund
City of Toronto- From $5,000 to $35,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

INOVAIT Pilot Fund
INOVAIT Canada- From $100,000 to $150,000
- Up to 3333% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Small Distillery Program
Agricorp- Max. $220,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

OMIF — Live Music
Government of Ontario- Min. $10,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

INVEST North Program — Investment — Launch Stream
Government of Ontario- Max. $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
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.

Ontario Creates-CMF — IDM Futures Forward Program
Canada Media Fund (CMF)- Max. $20,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans
Government of Ontario- From $500,000 to $500,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)- Max. $5,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Intellectual Property Ontario
Government of Ontario- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

General Business Loans
Two Rivers Community Development Centre- Max. $1,150,000
- Up to 90% of project cost
- All industries
Find tailored funding for your business
Discover more funding opportunities on the helloDarwin platform
Look through over 3000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

Food Security and Supply Chain Fund
Government of Ontario- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE)
Government of Ontario- Max. $10,000
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

OVIN — C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 1
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Max. $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

OCI — Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- Max. $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

NGen — Pilot Projects
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)- From $50,000 to $200,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Tired of scrolling through all these programs?
Filter funding opportunities relevant for your company on the helloDarwin platform
Sort over 3,000 business funds by your industry, projects and location with helloDarwin's free app.

Grow Ontario Market Initiative
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)- Max. $60,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade

NGen — Feasibility Studies
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)- From $100,000 to $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Life Sciences Scale-Up Fund (LSSUF)
Government of Ontario- Max. $2,500,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Business and Community Fund
Government of Ontario- No Condition
- All industries

Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program
Innovation Guelph- From $200,000 to $10,000
- All 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.

Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
Government of Ontario- Max. $25,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Launch Lab — Entrepreneurs In Residence (EIR)
Launch Lab- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- Max. $250,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

OCI — Innovating Digital Health Solutions (IDHS)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- Max. $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance

OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- From $500,000 to $250,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

OTF — Capital Grant
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- From $10,000 to $200,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration