Open
Source verified July 29, 2026
Corporations Canada — Starting a Business
Federal incorporation guidance and forms
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened November 20, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
Corporations Canada — Starting a Business supports federal incorporations for business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, cooperatives, and boards of trade in Canada. It covers naming a corporation, filing incorporation forms, and related instructions for revival, amendments, annual returns, and other corporate filings.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Access new markets
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Not Elsewhere Classified
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Incorporate a business under the Canada Business Corporations Act.
- Create a federal not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
- Create a federal cooperative under the Canada Cooperatives Act.
- Create a federal board of trade under the Board of Trade Act.
- Name a corporation.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Business corporations under the Canada Business Corporations Act.
- Federal not-for-profit corporations under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
- Federal cooperatives under the Canada Cooperatives Act.
- Federal boards of trade under the Board of Trade Act.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
How to apply
- File online.
- Send documents by email.
- Send documents by mail.
Processing and Agreement
- If an application is incomplete or invalid, Corporations Canada returns it with a letter explaining what is missing or why it is invalid.
- A complete and valid resubmission must be sent within 3 months for a business corporation, 6 months for a not-for-profit corporation, or 4 months for a cooperative.
- If you do not respond, the application is considered abandoned.
- If a complete application needs additional information, Corporations Canada returns it with a letter listing the missing information or documents.
- Once an application is accepted, Corporations Canada sends a confirmation and issues a certificate, if applicable.
Additional information
- Corporations Canada administers the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, the Boards of Trade Act, and the Canada Cooperatives Act.
- Federal corporations will likely have to register in any province or territory where they carry on business or activities.
- Incorporating under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act does not automatically make a corporation a registered charity or tax-exempt under the Income Tax Act.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business Program
What is the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business?
Corporations Canada — Starting a Business supports federal incorporations for business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, cooperatives, and boards of trade in Canada. It covers naming a corporation, filing incorporation forms, and related instructions for revival, amendments, annual returns, and other corporate filings.
Who is eligible for the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business program?
To be eligible for the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business program, you must:
The corporation must be incorporated federally under the relevant federal Act.
The registered office must be in the province or territory indicated in the articles.
At least 25% of directors must be Canadian residents.
What expenses are eligible under Corporations Canada — Starting a Business?
Incorporate a business under the Canada Business Corporations Act.
Create a federal not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Create a federal cooperative under the Canada Cooperatives Act.
Create a federal board of trade under the Board of Trade Act.
Name a corporation.
Who can I contact for more information about the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at IC.corporationscanada.IC@canada.ca or by phone at 1-866-333-5556.
Where is the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business available?
The Corporations Canada — Starting a Business program is available across Canada.
Is the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Corporations Canada — Starting a Business is a Expert Advice
Who are the financial supporters of the Corporations Canada — Starting a Business?
Corporations Canada — Starting a Business is funded by Government of Canada