Funding Opportunities

FedDev Ontario is accepting applications for no-interest, repayable contributions from $500,000 up to $10 million per project for innovative and globally-oriented businesses seeking to accelerate their growth, high-potential firms that are commercializing innovative products, technologies and processes, firms with scale-up potential looking to improve productivity through the adaptation/adoption of highly innovative technologies, and entrepreneurs and businesses in rural areas looking to grow, commercialize and improve productivity. Learn more about funding for businesses in southern Ontario.

SWODF provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development. This includes financial support and services to help companies grow their businesses, improve productivity, invest in innovation and skills development, pursue new markets, generate broad positive regional economic impact and create new good, sustainable jobs. Learn more about southwestern Ontario development fund.

FedDev Ontario delivers $800,000 annually through EDI to support projects encouraging economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Learn more about economic development initiative in southern Ontario.

The Canada Digital Adoption Program is scheduled to end on March 31, 2025.

The Grow Your Business Online grant will no longer be accepting new applications as of September 30, 2024. Until then, contact your local service provider to submit an application.

Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. Grants will be available through local and regional service providers across Canada. The service providers will also support a network of e-commerce advisors who will advise and help small businesses adopt e-commerce. Learn more or apply now.

The Canada Digital Adoption Program is scheduled to end on March 31, 2025.

The Boost Your Business Technology grant is no longer accepting new applications. If your grant agreement has not expired, you can access the CDAP portal.

Find more information below and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Eligible businesses can leverage the grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor. These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies that will help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy. The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan. Learn more.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.  The maximum loan amount for a borrower is $1.15 million. 

• Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for term loans for any one borrower, of which no more than $500,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment and of that amount, a maximum of $150,000 could be used for intangible assets and working capital costs. 
• Up to a maximum of $150,000 for lines of credit.  
  Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.

Whether you need a small amount to attend an event or trade show, or up to $10,000 to launch or grow your business, RISE's low-interest loans and mentorship can support you.

We offer low-interest business loans based on your stage of business development, the viability of the business concept and capacity to repay. Eligible entrepreneurs can access loans up to $10,000, with an average initial loan size of $4,000.

We offer a low-interest rate with an average loan term of 3 years.
Repayment starts 30 days post loan disbursement. There are absolutely no hidden fees at all. Rise is a character-based lender. We look at both the person and the business. Although we do consider credit history in making our lending decisions, we look at more than just a credit score. We consider the individual’s commitment to take the necessary steps to get their finances back on track. Learn more about rise small business lending program.

Aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 with a business operating for less than 12 months may be eligible for up to $60,000 in financing, as well as mentorship and resources. Learn more about Futurpreneur Canada.

Access between $25,000 and $50,000 to grow your company

You are eligible if you:

• Have been in operation for at least 12 months and generated revenues
• Immigrated to Canada less than three years ago
• Have a permanent resident status or protected person status
• Have a viable business plan

Available to all employers who hire co-op students from an Ontario university. Employers can receive 25% (30% for small businesses) of expenditures back-up to a maximum of $3,000 for each placement. Learn more about co-operative education tax credit.

Provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. Learn more about black entrepreneurship loan fund or Apply here for black entrepreneurship loan fund.

Employers who train apprentices may be eligible for grants to help mitigate the cost of training. The programme offers up to $17,000 to eligible employers when apprentices meet training and certification milestones. Learn more about the sponsorship.

BDC offers a variety of financing solutions for different sectors, size or stage of business: 

• Small Business Loan 
• Start-Up Financing
• Commercial Real Estate Financing
• Purchase Order Financing
• Equipment Purchase Financing
• Financing for Tech Companies
• Business Purchase or Transfer Financing
• Working Capital Financing
• Technology Financing

A financing programme that offers merchant cash advances and loans to eligible businesses based on the store's location, history, use and interaction with the Shopify platform. Shopify Capital's funding can help provide you with business capital to help grow and run your business such as investing in new inventory, marketing initiatives, renting a physical retail space, or hiring staff. Learn more about shopify capital funding.

Contact your Local Township for more information.

Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)’s Work Integrated Learning Program is an innovative Work Integrated Learning program that helps employers grow their businesses by providing financial assistance for hiring post-secondary students. ICTC’s Work Integrated Learning Program is funded by the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).

Wage subsidy of 50% up to $5,000 (or 70% up to $7,000 for underrepresented students)“Net new” requirement is in effect Post-secondary institutions are not eligible as employers. Applications must be created in the application portal prior to the student’s start date. Learn more about WIL.

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) delivers this program under the federal government's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to help young Canadians get career information, develop skills, find good jobs, and stay employed. In addition to bringing new ideas to your organization, your participation also helps highly skilled young people transition into today's rapidly changing labour market.

The youth internship will last a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months. The candidate must work a minimum of 30 hours per week. The candidate must also be:

• 15 to 30 years of age at the start of the internship
• a post-secondary graduate
• a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or person granted refugee status in Canada legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations
• a first-time participant in a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy work experience program targeted at post-secondary graduates.

Learn more

Work placements are a win-win for employers and students. Through the Student Work Placement program, employers can apply for wage subsidies to help them hire post-secondary students across Canada.

How much you could get

• Up to $5,000 for every student you hire through the program
• Up to $7,000 for every student you hire that is in their first year or is from an under-represented group including:
  • women in STEM
  • persons with disabilities
  • newcomers
  • Indigenous students
  • visible minorities

Offered through Employment and Social Development Canada. Learn more about student work placement program.

The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program covers the cost of a participant’s salary by 80% up to a maximum of $25,000. The program helps bio-economy and healthcare employers hire the talent they need and help graduates gain skills to secure full-time employment in environmental fields.

In addition to the wage subsidy contribution, employers may be eligible up to a maximum of $5,000 for training, skills development, and/or wrap-around services; please contact Jennifer Ash, Project Manager, for more details by email.

Pre-approval to be sent to Jennifer before submitting for reimbursement. Employers will be required to fill out and submit a specific claim form with supporting documentation. 

Learn more about science horizons youth internship program.

BioTalent Canada’s Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program boosts an organization’s capacity to advance digital innovations and accelerate Canada’s position as a world leader in the ever-evolving knowledge economy by helping underemployed post-secondary graduates enhance and develop digital and soft skills through work and training opportunities.

Eligible employers receive 80% in wage subsidy funding, up to a maximum amount of $24,000 (a combination of wage subsidies and training).

Learn more about digital skills for youth

Incentives for lighting, refrigeration and more. Transform your business operations with energy-saving equipment or control systems through the Save on Energy Retrofit program. Learn more about save on energy programs for businesses.

Provides financial assistance to support the implementation of energy efficiency and energy management solutions designed to maximize energy performance, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase competitiveness for industry in Canada. Learn more about green industrial facilities and manufacturing program.

Provides significant rebates for energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, heat pumps, smart thermostats, solar panels and more. Learn more about home renovation savings program.

The Experience Ontario program provides support for festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to discover Ontario, connect people with local experiences, and increase tourism spending.

Applicants can apply for up to 50% of eligible cash expenditures, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Applications will be accepted until December 16, 2025, at 4:00 pm (EST).

RTO4’s Partnership Program is a co-investment initiative designed to foster tourism across our region, which includes Huron, Perth and Wellington Counties as well as Waterloo Region.

The program offers funding streams tailored to support businesses and organizations that are part of the tourism ecosystem. There are two programs offered this year,

• one designed for operators such as attractions, restaurants, accommodations, festivals and events and
• one designed for tourism supporters, such as Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), Municipalities, BIAs, and Chambers of Commerce.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate their business or project attracts visitors from at least 40 km away and their proposed initiative will contribute to drawing more visitors or enhancing their experiences in a meaningful way.

If you have questions about the programme, please contact Karen Mitchell, karen@rto4.ca.

TIAO’s Tourism Workforce Sustainability Programme aims to expand and diversify Ontario’s tourism workforce while helping employers retain employees for the long-term sustainability of their businesses and the industry.

• Employers who register for the programme will receive tools and support to fill vacant positions, targeting job-seekers from new, diverse and inclusive labour pools.
• All tourism industry employers and positions are eligible. Employees in the programme will also have access to unique Mentorship opportunities to support their individual lifestyle and career goals.

If you have questions about the programme, please contact Leni Brem, Project Manager at lbrem@tiaontario.ca.

The TGP will fund projects that provide added value to existing activities in the tourism industry and focus on business and economic growth. Learn more about TGP.

A new, cost-share initiative that helps food and beverage processors, farm businesses, and agri-food sector organizations take action to reach new markets. Applicants can receive up to 50% cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $60,000 per business for producers and food and beverage processors, and $125,000 for sector organizations. Learn more about grow Ontario market initiative.

New to the agriculture and food industry? Want to start your own business? Turn your vision into a thriving reality. Already have a business? If you’ve started an agriculture, agribusiness or food and beverage-related business, this loan product could be for you.

• Eligibility starts at 18 years of age
• Could receive up to $150,000

If you’re 25 years or older:

• new business or have started your business within the last three years
• most recent revenue (individual and corporate combined) must be $50,000 or less
• Special 1- to 10-year fixed rates available
• No loan processing fees, renewal or conversion fees

Learn more.

Offers qualified producers, who are under 40, loans of up to $1.5 million to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. The loan includes features to support their long-term success, including lower lending rates. 

Young Farmer Loan 

Young Entrepreneur Loan

Provides up to 50% funding support to a max of $1M in non-repayable funding to help programmes that encourage the agricultural sector to adopt new technology, environmental sustainability, strategic planning and capacity building, emerging issues. Learn more about CASPP.

The programme provides repayable contributions to incent targeted commercialization, demonstration and/or adoption of commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes that increase agricultural and agri-food sector competitiveness and sustainability benefits.

The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) contribution toward a project will normally not exceed $5,000,000.

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.

Learn more about AgriInnovate program.

The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians.

The program has 2 components:

1. Clusters Component — supports projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships, and address priority national themes and horizontal issues
2. Projects Component — supports a single project or a smaller set of projects that would be less comprehensive than a Cluster.
   Support is available in the form of non-repayable contributions and/or collaborative support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientists.

The maximum funding for any single project is $5 million over the duration of the program (2023 to 2028).

The maximum total funding available to you under the projects component of the program is $10 million over the duration of the program (2023 to 2028).

Learn more about AgriScience Program.

The objective of the Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken is to deliver on the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide full and fair compensation to supply-managed sectors for market access concessions made under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The programme will help increase domestic demand and consumption of Canadian turkey and chicken products through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada’s reputation for high quality and safe food.

Applicants will submit a multi-year strategy (maximum 5 years) to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for approval. Funds are to be used for:

• sector-wide advertising and promotion, including in-store and food service promotions and product demonstrations
• promotional activities that build public trust in Canadian turkey and chicken products including on-farm food safety and traceability programs, animal care programs, environmental sustainability, and benefits of turkey and chicken as healthy protein options
• market research
• development and/or expansion of target audiences
• increasing delivery of current market development activities
• encouraging product development, product testing and research into new innovative processing and packaging technology at the primary and further processing level
• adapting current branding to meet changing consumer expectations

Learn more about market development program for Turkey and Chicken
 

The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program (PEFIP) is a reimbursement-basedEndnote1 program that will provide non-repayable contributions of almost $759 million over 10 years. 

The programme aims to help supply-managed poultry and egg producers adapt to market changes resulting from the implementation of recent international trade agreements, namely the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Canada—United States—Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The program supports on-farm investments that:

• increase efficiency or productivity
• improve on-farm food safety and biosecurity
• improve environmental sustainability
• respond to consumer preferences (improving animal welfare, adopting alternative housing systems, transitioning to organic production, etc.)

The programme seeks to make sure the fair distribution of funding across all supply managed producers in the poultry and egg sectors based on the projected impact of market access concessions made under CPTPP and CUSMA.

Learn more about poultry and egg on-farm investment program 

Your business could get up to $150,000 to help cover up to 50% of eligible project costs. As a successful applicant, you are required to contribute at least 50% of remaining project costs through:

• internal business resources
• private or bank financing

Learn more about Ontario automotive modernization program