How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 10000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Toronto Retail Accelerator Program?

Toronto Retail Accelerator Program is funded by City of Toronto, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)

What are Toronto Retail Accelerator Program's eligibility criterias?

The retail business must be located in the City of Toronto. The applicant must be the majority owner, 18 years of age or older, and operate full time. The business must not be a franchise, online e-commerce, mobile operation, not-for-profit, or multi-level marketing venture.

Toronto Retail Accelerator Program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Toronto, ON

$10,000 micro grant to help Toronto's small retail businesses thrive and expand

Toronto Retail Accelerator Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Retail trade

Grant Providers

City of Toronto
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Toronto Retail Accelerator Program program

The Retail Accelerator Program, funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, aims to support small retail businesses in Toronto. It provides access to retail training, advisory services, mentoring opportunities, and a $10,000 micro grant to help businesses develop and expand. Eligible participants must operate an independent retail business with a physical location in Toronto and be majority owners of their venture.

Eligibility criteria of the Toronto Retail Accelerator Program program

Eligibility for the Retail Accelerator Program requires businesses to meet specific criteria related to ownership, location, and operational requirements.

The business must be an independent retail operation located within the City of Toronto.
The business can be a sole proprietorship or corporation where the applicant is the majority shareholder, or a partnership where the applicant holds the majority share. If shared 50/50, only one partner may apply.
The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
The applicant must be full-time self-employed and the majority owner in the business.
The business must have a current lease agreement or ownership documentation for the retail location.
A separate business bank account must be maintained in accordance with government rules and regulations for operating a business.
The applicant must be prepared to commit to the business training components of the program.
Proof of expenses must be provided as requested by the City of Toronto.
A survey must be completed at the end of the program.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Retail Accelerator Program are those who own and operate independent retail businesses located within the City of Toronto. This includes sole proprietorships, corporations where the applicant is the majority shareholder, or partnerships where the applicant holds the majority share, with only one partner able to apply if shared 50/50. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, full-time self-employed, and possess a current lease agreement or ownership documentation for their retail location. They must also maintain a separate business bank account and be prepared to engage in business training, provide proof of expenses, and complete a program survey. Businesses not eligible include franchises, commissioned sales, distributorships, online-only operations, mobile retail, not-for-profits, co-operatives, multi-level marketing ventures, and single event-based enterprises.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not accessible to certain businesses and operational models due to specific restrictions. These limitations ensure the program supports independent retail businesses with physical locations in Toronto.

Franchises, commissioned sales, and distributorships.
Online e-commerce retail operations that lack a physical location.
Mobile retail operations of any kind.
Not-for-profits, social enterprises, co-operatives, or charitable enterprises.
Multi-level marketing ventures.
Single events, musical bands, DJs, or party event organizations.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is open to retail businesses operating specifically within a designated geographical area. The eligibility criteria focuses on ensuring support for local economic development.

Businesses located within the City of Toronto.

How to apply to the Toronto Retail Accelerator Program program

Subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter to stay informed of business resources and supports.

Ensure your business meets the eligibility requirements: independent retail business in the City of Toronto, majority ownership, full-time self-employment, a physical retail location, separate business bank account, commitment to training, and ability to provide proof of expenses and complete a survey.

Monitor notifications from the City of Toronto for new funding availability.

Once applications reopen, gather necessary documentation such as proof of lease or ownership of the retail location and business bank account information.

Complete and submit the application form as instructed by the City of Toronto.

Await confirmation and further instructions from the program administrators.

Additional information

The Retail Accelerator Program is designed to support small retail businesses in Toronto with access to training, advisory services, mentoring opportunities, and a $10,000 micro grant.

Applications are currently closed as funding has been expended. New applications may be accepted if additional funding becomes available.
Interested parties are advised to subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter to stay informed about business resources and supports.
For more information, contact Fariba Niroui at 416-392-1328 or Fariba.Niroui@toronto.ca.