Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $5000000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) is a Other Support

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)?

Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) is funded by Government of Ontario

Q: Who is eligible for the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) program?

To be eligible for the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) program, you must: • Must be a for-profit business registered in Ontario • Minimum three years of operations/financial statements • At least 5 full-time equivalent employees

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at ottf@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-855-216-3090.

Q: Where is the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) available?

The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports Ontario SMEs to strengthen supply chains and expand markets

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $200,000 to $5,000,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Other Support

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) offers up to $5 million in grants or loans to help Ontario businesses strengthen resilience, expand market reach, and re-shore critical supply chains impacted by trade disruptions. Eligible activities include investments in advanced technology, market diversification, expansion of manufacturing capacity, job creation, and local supply chain development.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding available as a grant or loan up to a maximum of $5 million per project.
Maximum funding covers up to 75% of eligible project costs for projects demonstrating exceptional benefit to Ontario and alignment with government priorities.
Loans are interest-free during the project period (up to 2 years), typically with a 4-year payback period.
If investment and job targets are achieved, up to 30% of the loan (up to $1.5 million) may be forgiven.
Minimum eligible project cost is $200,000.

Activities funded

Expanding into new markets, including increasing interprovincial sales and diversifying market reach beyond the U.S.
Enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity and building local supply chains within Ontario.
Reshoring production or adapting operations to lessen exposure to trade disruptions.
Modifying existing products or processes for entry into new sectors or markets.
Investing in innovative technologies to increase competitiveness and secure or create jobs in Ontario.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 30,000

Launching a composting initiative for community housing facilities

$ 92,000

Installing solar panels to reduce operational energy consumption

$ 51,000

Developing a zero-waste takeout packaging pilot for restaurants

$ 109,000

Modernizing bakery with energy-efficient ovens and cooling systems

$ 150,000

Automating a fruit packaging line with robotic sorting technology

$ 43,000

Retrofitting lighting system with LED fixtures and smart controls

Eligibility

The applicant must be a for-profit business (legal entity or limited partnership) registered to carry out business in Ontario.
The business must operate within Ontario and have at least three years of operations/financial statements.
The business must employ at least 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) active employees.
The project must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s economic priorities, such as building local supply chains or diversifying markets.
The applicant must demonstrate impacts due to U.S. tariffs, such as operation in a targeted sector, significant exposure to trade risk, or pivoting operations due to tariffs.

Who is eligible?

For-profit businesses (legal entity or limited partnership) registered in Ontario
Small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs (such as steel, auto, aluminum)
Businesses manufacturing products in Ontario

Who is not eligible

Not-for-profit organizations, associations, and charities
Sole proprietors
Retail businesses
Construction companies providing primary construction services
Providers of personal services and consulting firms
Hospitality projects (hotels and restaurants)

Eligible expenses

Facilities and infrastructure costs.
Purchase of equipment and machinery.
One-time labour expenses related to the project.
Materials necessary for the project.
Specialized expertise and consulting services.
Training and talent acquisition costs.
Permits and fees required for project execution.
New market access expenses (such as certification, legal, labelling, and testing costs).

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses operating within Ontario
Companies located in a community in Ontario during the project period

Selection criteria

Alignment with provincial priorities, such as building local supply chain capacity in Ontario (including reshoring or replacing U.S.-based suppliers).
Diversification of market reach beyond the U.S., especially expanding revenue streams into new or inter-provincial markets.
Expansion of manufacturing capacity and investment in new technologies.
Job creation or retention, including upskilling or training of workforce.
Extent to which government support enhances project outcomes, scope, or timelines.

How to apply

Step 1: Eligibility Self-Assessment
- Complete the mandatory online self-assessment tool to determine preliminary eligibility.
- If the self-assessment indicates potential qualification, contact an Ontario Advisor as instructed for a project review. This step is required before proceeding.
Step 2: Register on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON)
- Create an organizational account on TPON, Ontario’s online application system for funding opportunities.
- Prepare and provide the required business information and official documents (e.g., legal business name, CRA Business Number).
- Ensure accurate and complete data entry to prevent application delays.
Step 3: Complete and Submit Application
- Collaborate with your Ontario Advisor to fill out the application forms and gather all required supplemental information.
- Submit the completed application and documentation through the TPON online portal.
Step 4: Access Complementary Supports and Services (Optional, Upon Application Submission)
- Upon submitting your application, access available advisory services, assistance with compliance approvals, and resources to help secure talent, if required.

Additional information

The application intake period begins on April 23, 2025, and operates on a continuous basis while the program is open.
Applicants must complete a mandatory online self-assessment tool as part of the process prior to applying.
Registration on the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system is required before submitting an application.
Complementary advisory services and assistance are available during the project period, regardless of the funding decision.

Contacts

ottf@ontario.ca

1-855-216-3090

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.