How to Get a Small Business Grant in Ontario

A foundation`s mandate may be to provide community service (e.B. address social or environmental issues), support other organizations that do community service, and/or award awards to niche for-profit companies. Foundations are usually very specialized and focus on a specific goal, sector, etc. Non-profit organizations that help create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and business growth. The grants and loans for Ontario businesses listed on this page can provide support for your organization`s upcoming projects. To discuss your eligibility and get help with the application process, please contact Mentor Works. An applicant for this grant must be a resident of Ontario who carries on business in Ontario. In addition, they must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. The applicant may be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.

A full list of eligibility requirements can be found here. Below is a selection of Ontario Business Grants from the provincial government: Below is a selection of federal grants for Ontario businesses, grouped by industry and funding objective: Businesses receive technical assistance to help them build their online store and train business owners and employees on how to manage it. It also provides support to make the online store work and helps with marketing. “Angels” are individuals (or networks of individuals) who invest their own money in your business. It can be a friend or family member or, as mentioned earlier, a network of angels. Ontario small businesses may be eligible for different financing options such as: Chambers of Commerce. These former organizations offer small businesses surprising financial benefits (such as “affinity” programs that offer group discounts on services like insurance), as well as in-kind benefits you`re probably already familiar with (such as networking events and business directories). The Ontario provincial government also provides in-kind benefits to businesses through its network of regional innovation centres. These centers focus on tech start-ups and provide jobs, mentorship, and access to funding. The objective of this fund is to support projects led by innovation-driven organizations to increase and promote the productivity and global competitiveness of businesses, as well as investment and talent acquisition.

The Shop Here program is funded by the Province of Ontario and corporate sponsors to help Ontario businesses and artists sell online. NOHFC offers several grants and programs, one of which is small business start-up projects. While governments support a wide range of business activities, government funding generally falls into five categories: institutions that provide opportunities and networks for rural businesses to support innovation and growth. Before applying for a government grant, be sure to speak to a funding expert to make sure you have prepared all your documents correctly. Here are the key elements your Canadian business needs to use to prepare to get the money. There are different types of financing options for businesses in Ontario, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Much of the funding will come from local governments or the Government of Ontario, and some may also come from the federal government. Here`s a complete overview of the not-for-profit funding sources available to businesses in Ontario: Potential tax benefits that could help reduce your business costs.

These cool-sounding organizations are collaborations between for-profit companies, nonprofit groups, and educational institutions that support startups with groundbreaking ideas in cutting-edge industrial sectors. Always specify the eligibility criteria and how you meet those criteria, including business activities, financial incentives, whether the business has experienced a drop in sales due to the pandemic, or whether the funding is helping to create jobs. Each section consists of 25 participants, each receiving personalized and hands-on mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and subject matter experts to help them develop their business model and refine their business presentation. Ontario communities provide business support primarily through rural partners to address unique economic conditions in small towns and rural communities. Many federal tax credits help Ontario businesses cover hiring and research and development costs. Here is a small selection of business loans from the Ontario provincial government: Community Economic Development and Diversification aims to generate sustainable and inclusive growth and help small and rural communities in southern Ontario fully participate in and take advantage of economic opportunities. Some crowdfunders simply want to support an innovative idea and don`t care much about getting a return, while others demand a return on investment or want a stake in your business. Angel investors may not need to have a say in controlling your business, and they may want to make a return (hence the term “angel”)!) The degree of control, participation or performance expected by an angel varies from one individual to another and from one network to another. An incubator is a program that helps a startup with things like an initial financial investment, advice, mentorship, or access to offices or equipment. Once the company has gained a foothold, an accelerator is the next step (see next section). Examples of crowdfunding platforms available to businesses in Ontario include: Some banks also do not lend to small businesses unless they have the support of a government agency that mitigates the risk to the bank in the event of a loan default. Find Grants, Loans, Grants and Stimulus Packages from the Canadian Government for: Agribusiness, Natural Resources and Environment Sector Councils Although BIAs do not offer the financial programs offered by the federal and provincial governments, they support the local economy through events, planning and advocacy.

Accelerators are the next step after the incubator phase. While an entrepreneur typically turns to an incubator when they have an idea and few other things, accelerators take a new business to the next level once the company understands its business model. Business Development Corporations are not-for-profit organizations that typically help rural Ontario businesses or Indigenous businesses. Some Ontario universities offer support for new businesses, including funding, incubation and acceleration services. To this end, the Ontario government provides grants for starting a business, hiring, training, capital investment and more. The province also has programs for specific regions, including the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, the Eastern Ontario Development Fund and others. The Canadian federal government lends money to ontario small businesses to purchase equipment and other assets, for working capital, to finance export expansion, and more. If you`ve struggled to understand how business financing works in Ontario, this is the only guide you need to understand Ontario`s small business grants! If you are looking for private sector financing, be aware that some of these funds are grants that you do not have to repay, others are loans that you have to repay, and others are given in exchange for a partial stake in your business (i.e. an investment in shares). Think carefully about the type of private financing that best suits your situation. Small Business Centres.

Small businesses can receive in-kind benefits through 54 small business centres (which are actually funded by and in partnership with the provincial government). In addition to grants, loans and tax credits, the federal government also offers many types of in-kind benefits to Ontario businesses. P2P lending avoids some of the problems of a traditional bank, but you still need to have a solid business plan and other ways to show the strength of your business idea. .