What grants and funding can a small business in Ontario get?
Updated September 2026 · 88 programs verified
88 verified funding programs are open to Ontario small businesses right now: 47 grants and rebates, 37 loans and financing programs, and 4 other supports. They range from Canada-wide federal programs to Ontario-specific ones, including grants from individual cities. Every program shows what it's worth, who qualifies, the official source, and the date we last checked it. Verified as recently as .
- 88
- open right now
- 17
- Canada-wide
- 17
- Ontario-wide
- 35
- city & municipal
- 19
- for specific owner groups
At a glance
The biggest verified caps in Ontario
The largest verified caps first. Every figure comes from the program's official page; the program page has the full rules and the official source.
| Program | Up to | Type | Where | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INVEST North Investment Program: Locate Stream | $5,000,000 | Grant | Northern Ontario | No fixed date |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | $1,150,000 | Loan | Canada-wide | No fixed date |
| Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream | $500,000 | Loan | Northern Ontario | No fixed date |
| INVEST North Investment Program: Grow Stream | $400,000 | Grant + loan | Northern Ontario | No fixed date |
| Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) | $50,000 | Grant | Province-wide | No fixed date |
| London Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant | $50,000 | Grant | London | No fixed date |
| Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit | $45,000 | Tax credit | Province-wide | December 31, 2026 |
| Ontario: Achievement Incentive Program | $17,000 | Grant | Province-wide | No fixed date |
"No fixed date" means the record shows no stated intake deadline. Programs can still pause when budgets run out, so the verified date on each record matters.
How the math works
Take Technology Demonstration Program (TDP): it covers 50% of eligible costs up to $50,000. On a $120,000 project, 50% would be $60,000, but the cap kicks in, so the most you could get back is $50,000. Many grants on this page work this way: a percentage, a cap, and rules on what counts. Loans are different: you borrow the money and pay it back. Approval always rests with the program.
Ontario-wide
Ontario-wide and regional programs
Some serve one region or sector; each card says who it's for.
Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario – Productivity Improvements
Up to 33% of costs
This Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario program helps established manufacturers in Northern Ontario invest in productivity.
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Access to Capital
From $150,000
Access to Capital provides repayable financing through Community Futures Ontario. It helps small businesses and social enterprises that need money to…
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Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000
Starter Company Plus pairs a grant of up to $5,000 with hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
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Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream
Up to $500,000
The Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream helps established Northern Ontario businesses modernize and expand.
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Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
Up to $45,000
Corporations can claim a 10% refundable corporate income tax credit on eligible commercial or industrial building expenditures in designated Ontario…
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INVEST North Program: Innovation Stream
Up to $500,000
This matching grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation helps you cover technical labour, prototyping, and testing for new products…
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INVEST North Investment Program: Launch Stream
Up to $200,000
INVEST North helps you build your new Northern Ontario business by reimbursing up to half of your eligible project costs.
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INVEST North Investment Program: Grow Stream
Up to $400,000
This competitive program supports product-based and B2B businesses in Northern Ontario with a contribution of up to 20% of eligible costs and an…
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INVEST North Investment Program: Locate Stream
Up to $5,000,000
INVEST North helps non-retail businesses bring new economic value to Northern Ontario by funding major capital projects.
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Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program
Up to $10,000
This matching grant pays back 50% of eligible costs for businesses with innovative products or services in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound and…
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Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
Up to $15,000
Ontario B2B product companies can get 50% back, up to $15,000, on a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan built with an approved consultant: an…
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Ontario: Achievement Incentive Program
Up to $17,000
An Ontario grant for employers and group sponsors who train apprentices. The province offers up to $17,000 to eligible employers when their…
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Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for Northern Ontario
Up to 50% of costs
This Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario program helps for-profit and not-for-profit organizations build or adopt AI.
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Retrofit Program
Up to 50% of costs
The Retrofit Program helps Ontario businesses lower operating costs by covering up to 50% of eligible energy-efficiency improvements like lighting,…
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REGI: Business Scale-up and Productivity
Up to $500,000
FedNor's REGI program provides repayable contributions to help Northern Ontario SMEs adopt new technology, expand capacity, and improve productivity.
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Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)
Up to $5,000
Ontario shops can get 50% back, up to $5,000, on modern store technology: POS systems, inventory tracking, self-checkout kiosks, CRM and more.
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Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)
Up to $50,000
Finished your DMAP? This Ontario program reimburses 50% of implementing it, up to $50,000: the platforms, software, integration work and one-time…
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Canada-wide
Federal programs Ontario businesses can use
Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
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BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
A federal non-refundable tax credit for employers who hire apprentices in Red Seal trades. It is worth 10% of eligible apprentice wages, up to $2,000…
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Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
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BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
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BDC Financing: Certified Green Building Loan
Up to 100% of costs
A BDC loan to buy, build or renovate a business property that you plan to get green certified, for example LEED or Zero Carbon.
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Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
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BDC Financing: Small Business Loan
Up to $350,000
An online loan of up to $350,000 from BDC, Canada's federal Crown corporation bank. Use it for inventory, hiring and training, marketing, product…
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BDC Financing: Commercial Real Estate Loan
This BDC commercial real estate loan helps established Canadian businesses acquire, expand, or renovate their premises.
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BDC Financing: Start-up
Up to $150,000
A BDC loan of up to $150,000 for businesses that have operated at least 12 months. Use it to buy assets, pay start-up fees, buy a franchise, or pay…
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BDC Financing: Working Capital Term Loan
A BDC term loan for inventory, supplier payments, hiring and other working capital needs. You can pay interest only for up to 24 months at the start.
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BDC Financing: Equipment Purchase Loan
Up to 125% of costs
A BDC loan to buy new or used machinery, vehicles or technology for your business. BDC offers flexible loan terms, including interest-only periods…
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Technology Equipment Loan (BDC)
A BDC loan for IT equipment, software, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. You pay interest only for the first 24 months and can take up to 8…
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Rise: Small Business Lending
$500–$10,000
Rise offers flexible micro-loans to help you build your business when traditional financing is out of reach.
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Food and Beverage Industry Financing (FCC)
Farm Credit Canada offers loans to food and beverage businesses anywhere in Canada to build, expand, or equip their operations.
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Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund
This funding stream under the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund helps Northern agriculture and food businesses build a strong territorial…
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Futurpreneur Canada Side Hustle
Up to $25,000
Launch or scale your side business while keeping your day job. You get access to capital, expert mentoring, and planning tools to build your venture…
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City & municipal
City programs in Ontario
Address-specific: designated areas and local rules decide, and many require approval before you spend.
Ottawa Centretown Heritage Facade Improvement Program
Up to $75,000
This City of Ottawa program is for designated heritage buildings on Bank Street or in Somerset Village.
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Hamilton Commercial District Revitalization Grant (CDRG)
Up to $10,000
Hamilton helps you improve your exterior with a 50% match for facade, signage, awnings, and lighting. You and the city share the cost.
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London Facade Improvement Loan
Up to $50,000
This interest-free City of London loan covers half the cost of facade, signage, and window improvements. You repay the loan over 10 years.
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London Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant
Up to $50,000
If you are opening a business in an empty commercial unit in London, the City of London covers 50% of eligible interior renovation costs, up to…
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London Upgrade to Building Code Loan
Up to $200,000
Bring your commercial interior up to code with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or fire protection improvements.
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Windsor Downtown Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This City of Windsor program helps you modernize your downtown exterior by reimbursing half the cost of approved facade and signage improvements, up…
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Windsor Retail Reinvestment Grant
Up to $15,000
The City of Windsor pays 50% of interior renovation costs for downtown retail spaces, up to $15,000.
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Windsor Main Streets Facade Improvement Program
Up to $30,000
The City of Windsor matches 50% of your exterior improvement costs, helping you modernize your storefront on traditional Main Streets outside…
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Kitchener Facade Grant Program
Up to $10,000
The City of Kitchener covers up to half the cost of exterior improvements, helping you modernize your shop front with rolling applications for…
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Brampton Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
The City of Brampton pays back half the cost of facade and signage work, up to $20,000 ($50,000 for heritage buildings), for storefronts in the…
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Greater Sudbury Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This program helps you modernize your main street-facing facade and signage, covering half the cost up to $20,000.
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Thunder Bay Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $10,000
Thunder Bay helps pay for exterior improvements such as signage, awnings and lighting. This program covers 50% of eligible costs, up to $10,000, for…
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St. Catharines Facade Improvement Program
Up to $10,000
This cost-share program reimburses up to 50% of eligible facade and signage costs for commercial buildings in St.
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Waterloo Commercial / Facade Improvement Grant (Uptown CIP)
Up to $10,000
Waterloo helps you improve your commercial space by covering 50% of eligible facade and storefront work.
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Peterborough Central Area Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
Peterborough helps you modernize your building's exterior by covering half the cost of facade, signage, or awning work.
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Sarnia Building Facade Improvement Grant (CIP)
Up to $10,000
This cost-share program helps with exterior work on commercial property in Sarnia's Downtown or Mitton Village areas.
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Richmond Hill Facade, Landscaping and Signage Improvement Grant
Up to $25,000
This cost-share program helps Richmond Hill business owners and tenants pay for exterior work.
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Brantford Downtown Facade & Safety Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
Brantford's Downtown Facade & Safety Improvement Grant helps pay for exterior work on commercial buildings.
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Welland Downtown & Health Wellness Cluster Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $12,500
Welland’s Downtown and Health Wellness Cluster program helps you modernize your facade and signage.
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Chatham-Kent Facade Improvement Grant (CIP)
Up to 50% of costs
This Chatham-Kent grant helps you modernize your exterior by reimbursing half of your eligible facade and signage expenses.
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Downtown Whitby & Brooklin CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $10,000
Get matching funds to improve your building facade or signage in Downtown Whitby or Brooklin.
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Historic Downtown Newmarket CIP: Facade Improvement & Restoration Program
Up to $15,000
Improve your building's exterior with matching grants and optional interest-free loans designed for heritage properties in Historic Downtown…
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Aurora Promenade CIP: Facade & Signage Improvement Grant Program
Up to $15,000
This matching grant covers half of your eligible exterior improvement costs. It supports property owners in the Aurora Promenade CIP area who improve…
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Belleville Facade Improvement Program
Up to $15,000
The City of Belleville pays back half of eligible facade and signage costs, up to $15,000, for properties in or next to the Downtown District BIA.
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Facade and Signage Improvement Grant (Heart of the City CIP)
Up to $10,000
Cornwall's Heart of the City CIP helps businesses in the program area pay for facade work and new signage.
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Million Dollar Makeover Funding Program
The City of Kawartha Lakes offers the Million Dollar Makeover program. It covers exterior improvements like storefront, facade, and signage in…
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Growth CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
This North Bay grant helps you modernize your street-facing appearance while preserving heritage character.
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Downtown CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $15,000
The City of Timmins offers a Facade Improvement Grant that covers up to 50% of eligible costs.
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Downtown Tomorrow CIP Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $5,000
Orillia's Downtown Tomorrow Facade Improvement Grant pays back part of the cost of exterior work on downtown buildings.
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Comprehensive Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $12,500
Orangeville helps pay for facade and signage improvements on storefronts in its Central Business District.
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Downtown Area Facade Improvement Program
Up to $30,000
Woodstock's Downtown Area Facade Improvement Program offers a one-time grant and an interest-free loan for exterior improvements and professional…
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Facade and Structural Improvement Program
Up to $7,500
This Community Improvement Plan grant helps you restore street-facing exteriors and structural elements in Owen Sound's River District and Harbour…
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Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $40,000
Through its Community Improvement Plan, the Town of Fort Erie offers grants of up to $40,000 to improve the front exterior of a commercial or core…
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Commercial/Mixed Use Building Facade Improvement Grant Program
Up to $12,500
The Downtown Grimsby Community Improvement Plan offers a grant that covers half the cost of eligible exterior improvements to commercial and…
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Pembroke Facade Improvement Grant
Up to $20,000
This City of Pembroke program helps business owners cover half the cost of exterior improvements.
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Specific owner groups
Programs for women, Indigenous, young and newcomer founders
These 19 programs are open only to specific owner groups, like women, Indigenous, young or newcomer founders. Worth a look if that's you.
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital
Up to $99,999
Non-repayable equity funding to start, expand, or buy a business. This federal program supports Indigenous entrepreneurs through local partners who…
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BDC Financing: Newcomer Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $50,000
Designed for new immigrants, this BDC loan helps you build your business and establish credit in Canada, even if you lack a strong local credit…
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BDC Financing: Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan
Up to $350,000
A BDC loan for businesses owned and led by women, Indigenous or Black entrepreneurs. Use it for equipment, technology or growth projects, at…
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BDC Financing: Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $350,000
A loan from BDC, Canada's federal Crown corporation bank, for Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to grow or modernize their business.
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Two Rivers General Business Loan
Up to $1,250,000
This financing program for Indigenous entrepreneurs combines loans with contributions for start-ups, expansions and acquisitions.
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Black Entrepreneurship Program – Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
$25,000–$250,000
A federal loan program for Black business owners across Canada. Loans range from $25,000 to $250,000 for business development and growth.
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Futurpreneur Canada Indigenous Startup Program (IESP)
Up to $75,000
This program provides up to $75,000 in loan financing and up to two years of dedicated mentorship for young Indigenous founders.
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Waubetek: Aboriginal Business Financing Program
Up to $99,999
Waubetek provides conditional contributions to help Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nation communities in North-East Ontario establish, expand, or…
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Young Entrepreneur Loan (Farm Credit Canada)
Up to $2,000,000
A Farm Credit Canada loan for young entrepreneurs who want to start or grow an agricultural or food-related business.
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Waubetek: Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur Micro-Loan
Up to $20,000
Waubetek offers loans, non-repayable contributions and mentorship to Indigenous women entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario.
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Women Entrepreneur Program (Farm Credit Canada)
Farm Credit Canada's Women Entrepreneur Program is for women in agriculture, agribusiness and food.
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Waubetek: Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Loan Fund
Up to $50,000
Waubetek's loan fund lends up to $50,000 to Indigenous women entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario who want to start or expand a business.
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NADF Financing Solutions
Up to $500,000
NADF offers business loans and microloans to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario who want to start, grow, or keep running a business.
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NADF Indigenous Women in Business Program
NADF offers financing and business training to Indigenous women entrepreneurs. This program supports start-ups and expansions that may not qualify…
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Futurpreneur Canada Core Entrepreneur Startup Program for Students
Up to $75,000
Futurpreneur Canada offers young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 flexible financing and dedicated mentorship.
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Futurpreneur Canada Core Start-Up Program
Up to $75,000
This program pairs startup financing with mentorship for young Canadian entrepreneurs.
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Futurpreneur Canada Newcomer Program
Up to $25,000
This program helps newcomers start a business in Canada. It pairs up to $25,000 in loan financing with dedicated mentorship, and it is designed for…
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Waubetek: Business loans
Up to $500,000
Waubetek offers term loans and bridge loans to Aboriginal entrepreneurs who want to start, expand, or buy a business in North Eastern Ontario.
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Futurpreneur Canada Black Entrepreneur Startup Program
Up to $75,000
This program pairs flexible loan financing with hands-on mentorship for young Black entrepreneurs across Canada.
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Decision guide
Which program should you start with?
- You want money you don't repay →
- This page lists 47 grants and rebates. 45 are open to any business owner and 2 are only for specific owner groups (listed in their own section). The table above shows the largest caps first.
- You can repay and need bigger capital →
- 37 loans and financing programs serve Ontario. 21 are open to any business owner and 16 are only for specific owner groups (listed in their own section). The largest open to any business owner is up to $1,150,000 . Every card says whether it is a grant or a loan.
- Your business has a street address in a program city →
- City programs in Ottawa, Hamilton, London and 28 other places only cover certain streets or districts, so check your city's program first.
- Not sure where to start →
- The free 2-minute fit check matches your business, city and project to this list and shows what may fit.
Deadlines
The application calendar
Verified intake deadlines, grouped by quarter. Deadlines move. Each program shows the date we last checked it.
Q4 2026
- Waterloo Commercial / Facade Improvement Grant (Uptown CIP): closes October 31, 2026
- Million Dollar Makeover Funding Program: closes October 31, 2026
- Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit: closes December 31, 2026
- Ottawa Centretown Heritage Facade Improvement Program: closes December 31, 2026
65 open programs have no fixed deadline. Some grant intakes can still close early when their budget runs out.
Frequently asked questions
How many funding programs are open to Ontario small businesses right now?
88 verified programs are open as of our latest checks: 17 Canada-wide, 17 Ontario-wide, 35 city and municipal programs and 19 open only to specific owner groups. Programs open and close through the year, so every program shows the date we last checked it.
Are these grants or loans?
Both, clearly labelled. Of the 88 open programs, 47 are grants or rebates you don't repay and 37 are loans or financing you do repay. The remaining 4 are tax credits and mixed grant-and-loan programs. Every card says whether it is a grant or a loan.
Do city programs apply to every business in the city?
Usually not. Most municipal programs are address-specific: designated main streets, downtown districts or community-improvement areas decide who qualifies, and many require approval before you spend. Each record lists the rules we found and links the official source to confirm your address.
Who decides whether my business gets approved?
Each program's administrator decides who gets approved, never us. BBN Labs is an independent Canadian company, not a government agency. We verify and explain the programs, and applying through the official program site is always free.
Closed right now · re-checked weekly
Programs close and reopen on their own cycles. These Ontario programs are closed at our last weekly check. Each page shows what the program offered, what may replace it, and a reopen alert you can join.
Barrie Conservation of Built Heritage Grant · Cambridge Core Areas Facade Improvement Grant · Community Improvement Plan - Facade and Signage Grants · Customized Export Development & Training Program · Digital Main Street – Digital Transformation Grant Program · Export Marketing Assistance Program · Facade Improvement Grant (Downtown CIP) · Heritage Conservation Loan and Grant Programs · Indigenous Economic Development Fund: Business and Community Fund · Kingston Heritage Property Grant Program · Markham Commercial Facade Improvement Grant · Niagara Falls Downtown Commercial Building & Facade Improvement Grant · Oshawa Facade & Accessibility Improvement Grant · Ottawa Heritage Property Grant Program · Pickering Village CIP Facade Improvement Grant & Sign Grant · Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) · Rural Ontario Development Program · Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program: Clean Tech in Agri-Food · Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program: New Products · Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program: Productivity Enhancement · Toronto Commercial Facade Improvement Grant · Toronto Commercial Space Renovation Grant · Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario
Sources
Every record on this page links its official source. The programs above are verified with:
- 1. bdc.ca · 12 programs
- 2. futurpreneur.ca · 6 programs
- 3. fednor.canada.ca · 4 programs
- 4. waubetek.com · 4 programs
- 5. fcc-fac.ca · 3 programs
- 6. ontario.ca · 3 programs
- 7. myportal.nohfc.ca · 3 programs
- 8. oc-innovation.ca · 3 programs
Guides
Read before you apply
Guides for the programs on this page: what they pay for, what is not covered, and how to apply.
Guide · updated
20 Ontario Small Business Grants for 2026: Up to $75,000
20 Ontario small business grants for 2026, ranked: up to $75,000 for storefronts, 50% back on retail tech, plus city-by-city programs.
Guide · updated
Retail technology grants in Ontario: up to $5,000 from OCI
Up to $5,000 for Ontario retailers adopting POS and CRM via OCI's RMPG, plus the DMAP (up to $15,000) and TDP (up to $50,000) pathway for…
Guide · updated
What Replaced CDAP: Digital Adoption Grants Up to $50,000
CDAP closed in 2024. What exists in 2026: BDC's LIFT financing, Ontario's TDP (50% up to $50,000) and RMPG grants, and how to avoid 'new…
Guide · updated
Small business funding checklist: approval before you start
Most business funding programs will not pay for work started before approval. The readiness checklist: quotes, matching funds, timelines,…
Starting a business here? See the startup funding map for every province →
Funding in other provinces & territories