Government departments and agencies provide financings such as grants, contributions, subsidies, and loan guarantees. If you are looking for money for your business, you should start by learning about the different types of financing that are available.
| FINANCE YOUR BUSINESS | DESCRIPTION | LINK |
| Finance Your Business | Find Programs and Services that can help |
NAME OF THE GRANT/FUNDING | DESCRIPTION | LINK |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Small businesses looking to purchase or improve their assets for new or expanded operations could benefit from the Canada Small Business Financing Loan (CSBFL). This loan is a government-sponsored loan program that offers up to $1,000,000 ($350,000 for equipment and leasehold improvements) to small businesses in Canada. | Click Here |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Sunova Credit Union offers a wide range of business loans and has the ability to tailor financing to meet your needs, whether you own an established business or are just getting started. Whether you are looking to start a new business, renovate or expand your premises, or purchase office equipment or company vehicles (and more!), our commercial and ag services team is here to help.
| Click Here |
| CYBF - Start-Up Program | If you are 18 to 39 years old, you could get a loan of $15,000 to start or buy a business. To be eligible, you should:
You cannot use the funds to pay existing debts. You need to repay the loan and pay administrative fees. If you qualify, you can also apply for an extra $30,000 through the CYBF-BDC Start-Up ProgramDo you need a loan to start or buy a business, or to pay for property and equipment to set up your business? Financing may be available to entrepreneurs who demonstrate:
| Click Here |
| BDC Financing for starting your business | Whether you are just starting up or want to grow your business, you could get a term loan to help you:
| Click Here |
| Aboriginal Business Development Program | If you are Aboriginal or have a majority-owned Aboriginal business, you can apply for up to $99,999 to help you:
You don't need to pay the money back. You can also get help with business planning. | Click Here |
| Canada Summer Work Experience Program | Do you plan to hire students to help out at your small business next summer? This wage subsidy could help you pay up to 50% of the salary to an eligible full-time student. To qualify:
| Click Here |
| BDC Buying a Business | Would you like to own an existing business? Do you need a consultant to help you find out its strengths? You could get a loan to:
| Click Here |
| Career Focus | If your business or non-profit organization can offer career-related work experience to post-secondary graduates, you may be eligible for funding. To get money to help hire and pay the post-secondary graduates that you recruit, you need to:
| Click Here |
| Women's Enterprise Initiative Loan Program | Are you a woman living in Western Canada who is looking for financing to start a business? Do you want to grow your business or buy a business? This initiative could provide you with a loan of up to $150,000. It can also provide advisory services, business training and networking opportunities with other businesswomen. You need to have a viable business plan, and your business must be a legal entity that is 50% or more owned or controlled by a woman. | Click Here |
| Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities | If you are a person with a disability, you could receive financial assistance for training to start a business and for living expenses while you learn. As an individual, you should:
If you're an employer, you could get a wage subsidy to hire someone with a disability. Before proceeding with the project, you are required to get approval | Click Here |
| Grant Programs for Artists | If you are a professional Canadian artist involved in dance, inter-arts, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts or writing and publishing, you can apply for a grant. You may use the grant for expenses related to your creative production, to pay for professional development or residency costs, and to cover travel expenses. This program is designed to promote the arts in Canada and abroad. | Click Here |
| Skills Link | You could get up to $50,000 to hire and train youth between the ages of 15 and 30 for projects that last up to 30 weeks. Your project can be either local or regional. You need to hire youth who are registered with this program and who are at risk of not finding a job. You should provide an experience that will help the youth to find work later on. | Click Here |
| Small Business Deduction | If you operate a Canadian-controlled private corporation, you may be eligible for an annual tax credit. This reduces the amount of tax that your business might otherwise have to pay. The amount of the credit is calculated when you complete your corporation's T2 income tax return. If you are not associated with any other corporations, the allowable business limit you can claim is $500,000. | Click Here |
| Financing Equipment Purchases | You can apply for a loan to cover a large portion of the cost of buying new or used equipment for your business. Your loan can be used to buy:
| Click Here |
| Youth Employment Programs | You could receive a financial contribution towards the salary of a post-secondary graduate to help you research, develop and commercialize new technologies. To be eligible, your business needs to:
| Click Here |
| Canadian Agricultural Loans Act | If you are an agricultural producer, this program could help you get a loan from a bank, a credit union or a caisse populaire. Eligibility:
Loans are limited to a maximum of:
| Click Here |
| Grants Programs for Writers and Publishers | If you are a professional writer, collective or publisher, you may be eligible for grants intended to help with many aspects of your literary profession, such as:
| Click Here |
| Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit | If you hire an apprentice, you could get a tax credit equal to 10% of that person's salary. The maximum credit is $2,000 per year (per eligible apprentice). You need to hire an apprentice who is:
| Click Here |
| Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) | Your small or medium-sized business could grow stronger, faster and bigger through innovation and technology. You could receive customized technical and business advice as well as non-repayable financial contributions to help you:
To qualify, your business in Canada must:
| Click Here |
| Canada Tele Film Development Program | If your film production business is a Canadian-owned and controlled corporation, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Funding is available through a variety of programs, including the following:
| Click Here |
| Canada Periodical Fund | If you publish a Canadian magazine in print or in digital format, or a non-daily Canadian newspaper, you could get money to help you produce and distribute it. Your company needs to be:
| Click Here |
| Financing for land and building purchase | Do you need larger, more modern facilities for your business? You can apply for a loan with flexible terms and long-term financing to help with the costs of commercial real estate. You could use the loan to:
| Click Here |
| Canada Media Fund | If you are involved in the Canadian television or digital media industries, you may be eligible for funding. You can browse through a variety of programs that can help you create and promote software applications and other creative media. There are two streams:
| Click Here |
| BDC Subordinate Financing | If you run a successful business, but lack the collateral to get a conventional loan, you could still obtain financing. Subordinate financing can help you:
The economic value of your business will determine the amount of subordinate financing you can get. Eligible businesses are profitable, have a competitive advantage, strong management and solid financial controls. | Click Here |
| Self - Employment Program | Are you collecting Employment and Income Assistance? Are you ready to be your own boss? The Self Employment program allows you to keep earning benefits while receiving training and support to start a business . Support is available for:
| Click Here |
| Knowledge Mobilization Initiative | If you can create a network dedicated to transferring knowledge to those who can put it into practice, you may be able to get financial assistance. Your network should be a collaboration between academia, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations across many sectors. The focus should be on the transfer and application of new knowledge that brings social, health and/or economic benefits to Canadians. If you are eligible, your network could be funded up to $400,000 per year for 4 years, with a possible 3-year extension. Check the website to learn about the next round of funding | Click Here |
| BDC Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business | As an aboriginal entrepreneur, you could get up to $25,000 to start a business or up to $100,000 to grow your existing business. You could also get business advice for 2 years. You should:
| Click Here |
| Transition Financing | Are you retiring or ready to sell your business? Whether you are transferring your business to a family member or moving on to other ventures, you could get a loan to pay for the cost of this transition. Financing may be available to:
| Click Here |
| Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program | If you have a disability, you could get help to start or grow your business. You can apply for mentoring, business training, and counseling. In some locations, you could also get a business loan. You need to:
| Click Here |
| Industry Partnership Programs | Industry Partnerships promotes business and industry-related human resource development to create a highly-skilled, knowledgeable and adaptable workforce in Manitoba. Industry Partnerships' focus recognizes that a highly-performing workplace is directly linked to meeting business goals and improving bottom-line results. From training strategies and human resource needs assessments to support corporate investment in skills and training, Industry Partnerships partners with key stakeholders in business, industry, labor, education, and government to ensure Manitoba’s workforce is equipped for success – now and in the future | Click Here |
| Farm Credit Canada Products and Services | Do you need financing to start, run or grow a farm operation, food processing business, farm equipment plant or ag-biotech company? Farm Credit Canada offers loans or equity financing to help you:
| Click Here |
| Hometown Manitoba | Want to improve your business and your community at the same time? You could get funding to support your business projects related to renovations, upgrading and greening of your rural and/or northern community. Available financial support for:
| Click Here |
| Agri-Innovation Program | If you have an agri-business and are working on innovative projects, you can apply for assistance. Apply for:
There are two streams within this program:
| Click Here |
| BDC Venture Capital | You can apply for venture capital and advice from business experts to develop your rapidly growing technology-based business. Your business should be in the energy, clean technology, health, information technology or communications sectors. You need to:
| Click Here |
| Collaborative Research and Development Grants | If you have a research project in natural sciences or engineering, you could have part of the project costs paid for you by partnering with a university. To be eligible, you should:
| Click Here |
| Technology financing — Information and communications technology loan | Do you need financing to update your technology projects? You could get a loan to acquire or update your information and communications technology while preserving your short-term working capital. With this funding you could invest in:
| Click Here |
| Export Guarantee Program | Increase your chances of securing financing from banks with a government guarantee on your export-related activities or foreign investments.
To qualify, your financial institution must be willing to establish a credit arrangement with your business and participate in the financing. | Click Here |
| Canada Book Fund | If your business publishes books, you may qualify for a financial contribution to:
| Click Here |
| R & D Funding Programs | Please note that not all of the programs listed here are operated by the Government of Canada. They are included as a useful resource, but their inclusion on this page should not be interpreted as an endorsement | Click Here |
| Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation | By attending customized workshops, you can learn how to help your organization increase its energy efficiency and reduce costs. Other tools and services can help you calculate and reduce energy consumption. If you choose to implement the ISO 50001 Standard at your facilities, you may be eligible to receive up to $40,000 to help cover implementation costs and those of related studies. To be eligible, you must:
| Click Here |
| Community Futures Manitoba | You could get a loan of up to $150,000 to start and grow your business in rural and northern Manitoba. The Community Futures office can also provide assistance with:
| Click Here |
| Agri-Food Research and Development | Apply for funding for research and development projects for your agriculture or agri-food business. You could receive up to 50% of the funding needed for your project. The application process is open to individuals, associations, commodity groups, local organizations, agri-businesses and institutions. Priority is given to projects that result in:
| Click Here |
| Mitacs Accelerate | Learn how your business could receive specialized expertise by recruiting a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow to research your technology project for 4 or more months. Why apply?
| Click Here |
| Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation | By attending customized workshops, you can learn how to help your organization increase its energy efficiency and reduce costs. Other tools and services can help you calculate and reduce energy consumption. If you choose to implement the ISO 50001 Standard at your facilities, you may be eligible to receive up to $40,000 to help cover implementation costs and those of related studies. To be eligible, you must:
| Click Here |
| Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program | If you own an affordable rental property or plan to create units to rent to low-income tenants, you can apply for financing for repairs, renovations or construction. You can apply through one of the various streams for multi-unit projects:
| Click Here |
| NORTHSTAR Trade Finance Inc. | Increase your chances of landing export sales by providing financing options to your buyer as part of an overall sales proposal. Eligible foreign buyers could obtain financing to purchase goods and services from Canadian exporters, including purchases of relatively low dollar value. Contact NORTHSTAR early in the export contract negotiations and they could issue you a complimentary letter of intent to assist in negotiations with your prospective customer. | Click Here |
| Training and Employment Services | Training and Employment Services helps Manitobans prepare for, find and keep employment, including support for training to meet labour market needs. A wide range of employment and training services are offered through our 13 Centres situated throughout Manitoba as well as through partnerships with community-based organizations and employers | Click Here |
| Funding Platform for Independent Lenders | You need to repay this money. Other conditions apply. If you operate a small to medium-sized finance or leasing company that extends financing for vehicles and/or commercial equipment to your customers, you could access expanded funding options to help you; Respond to business and consumer demand, Increase the availability of credit that you can extend to your customers, The funding is provided on commercial terms and on a match-funded basis. The program is jointly administered and financed by the BDC and TAO Asset Management | Click Here |
| Western Diversification Program | http://www.wd.gc.ca Not-for-profit organizations could receive funding for initiatives revolving around technology commercialization, economic growth, and the like. If your business is for-profit, you must apply through partner organizations. Eligible organizations include:
Do you operate a for-profit business? Apply for financing through: | Click Here |
Womans Enterprise Initiative c/o Western Diversification | Women play an important role in the creation and operation of small businesses across Canada, yet they often face barriers and a lack of support. To help remove these barriers, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) established the Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI) to assist women entrepreneurs to start, scale-up and grow their businesses. | Click Here |
Entrepreneurs with disabilities program c/o Western Diversification | Western Canadians who have a disability can access a network of business professionals and a world of resources through Western Economic Diversification Canada's Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP). The EDP provides business information, training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counseling services. | Click Here |
| Agri-Marketing Program | Agr iMarketing Program: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Component provides targeted support to companies for international initiatives. Under this component, funding will be available to help implement international export plans, which include promotional and market development activities. If approved, support is available in the form of non-repayable contributions support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. | Click Here |
| Development Innovation Fund | Are you a Canadian producer experiencing financial hardship? If so, help is readily available. You could get up to 50% of the average market price of your stored crops or unsold livestock. The limit on cash advances is $400,000 — the first $100,000 of which is interest-free. You need to repay your cash advance as your products are sold and you need to repay the total amount within 18 months. These cash advances are delivered by industry associations, marketing boards and co-operatives in the agricultural sector | Click Here |
| BDC Market Expansion Loan | If you are looking to expand into new domestic or foreign markets, this loan could provide you with up to $100,000 to:
| Click Here |
| FACTOR funding for the recording industry | If you have a recording business or if you are a song-writer, composer or musician, and you record in English, you could get up to 50% of the costs of:
| Click Here |
| Science and Technology Internship Program | If you operate a business in the geomatics, geology, mining, forestry or energy industry, you could get up to $13,200 to hire a recent university or college graduate in a natural science field for an internship of up to 52 weeks. In order to be eligible, you need to:
| Click Here |
| Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program | You could get funding for projects that help Canadian farmers and agricultural processors adapt to change. For example, you could finance inventions that help protect crops or you could create new ways for farmers to do business. Apply for the national or regional program.
| Click Here |
| Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth | Do you operate an Aboriginal business in the housing industry? If so, you could be eligible to receive wage subsidies to hire and train First Nations or Inuit youths between the ages of 15 and 30. In order to qualify, you must:
| Click Here |
| Technology Demonstration Program | You could receive funding of up to 50% of the costs of creating a next-generation manufacturing service for the aerospace, defense, space, and security industries. Eligible costs:
| Click Here |
| Environmental Youth Corps | If your business is in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields, you may be eligible to hire a young professional for a full-time environmental position. The program offers:
Your business must be Canadian-owned or a Canadian subsidiary to be eligible. Other conditions apply. | Click Here |
| Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages | Your incorporated public or private non-profit organization may be eligible to create an internship or summer job for students and recent graduates who possess excellent bilingual skills. To participate as an employer, you should offer 30-40 hours a week of work for a period of 6-16 weeks. Wage subsidies are available in up to 750 positions. | Click Here |
| Strategic Innovation Fund | A new stream of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), Stream 5: National Ecosystems, is under development. This new stream will support large-scale, national innovation ecosystems through high impact collaborations across Canada. The objective of this Stream is to foster collaboration between multiple organizations, including: SMEs, incubators/accelerators, academic and research institutions, and large corporations, in order to accelerate commercialization in areas with demonstrated Canadian advantage. National Ecosystems funded under Stream 5 will build upon existing regional or national networks and have a high-impact approach to technology development, commercialization, business development, scale up, and market growth. Target sectors should have both domestic growth and export potential. Launched: April 2019 | Click Here |
| The Prince's Operation Entrepreneur | Are you a transitioning Canadian Forces member looking to establish yourself as an entrepreneur? This national program offers you:
You are eligible if:
| Click Here |
| Connect Canada internships | Connect Canada is helping to increase the amount of research and development in Canada. The program matches graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with private-sector host companies (industry partner) for research internships. The interns work on research projects jointly developed by their academic supervisor and the industry partner. Internships are four-to-six month placements, with at least 50 percent of the intern’s time spent at the industry partner’s facilities. The value of the total internship stipend is $10,000, funded equally between the industry partner and Connect Canada. Connect Canada funding is stackable, allowing industry partners and academic researchers to leverage other sources of funding. Connect Canada takes no ownership of intellectual property generated through a placement. Intellectual property agreements are to be determined by the terms of the intern’s home university unless a separate agreement is negotiated between the university, the researchers and the sponsoring company. | Click Here |
| Mitacs Elevate | You could receive funding of up to $57,500 per year (including salary or stipend) toward a fellowship program with a recent PhD graduate to work on a research project for two years. The fellow would submit the application and, if successful, lead the collaboration. The project could address practical problems or challenges faced by your business, or help you further your knowledge and expertise. To be eligible, you are expected to:
| Click Here |
| Collaborative Health Research Projects | If you are in natural sciences or engineering, and are partnered with an applicant from the health sciences community, or vice-versa, you could receive funding for your collaborative research project. To be eligible, your project should:
Funding can be for up to three years. | Click Here |
| Interaction Grants | Your R&D company could access grants of up to $5,000 over three months to meet with academic researchers to identify potential research projects. Requirements:
| Click Here |
| Industry-Partnered Collaborative Research Program | If you are an academic researcher, you can apply for a grant for a collaborative research project you undertake with a Canadian industry partner who shares an interest in health R&D. Projects can be initiated by either you or your partner, but you must apply for the grant. Your partner should be involved in key stages of the research, from shaping the research question to disseminating and moving the research into practice. The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $250,000 per year for up to 5 years. | Click Here |
| Engage Grants | You could access a grant of up to $25,000 for your science and engineering business to help solve a company-specific problem. Eligible companies must:
| Click Here |
| Space Technology Development Program | The Canadian Space Agency's Space Technology Development Program (STDP) supports innovation for the growth of the Canadian space industry and to reduce technological unknowns. Contracts are issued to Canadian organizations for the development of technologies to support future needs of the Canadian Space Program, while non-repayable contributions are awarded to Canadian organizations to support the development of innovative technologies with strong commercial potential Your organization (Industry or Academia) could receive financial and technical support to perform R&D on space technologies. This support covers proposals solicitation (through regular Request for Proposals), evaluation and selection, as well as rigorous project management. Technologies should help:
| Click Here |
| Networks of Centres of Excellence | Find out about various funds available for your R&D activities, especially in the areas of engineering, health, and natural, social and biomedical science. If your work responds to current research and innovation needs, there is a range of multi-stage competitions that are scheduled as funding becomes available. The programs address the needs that are specific to the different stages of the innovation process. | Click Here |
| Partnership Workshops Program | If you are an academic wanting to work on collaborative research activities with end-users from the business community, you can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to develop a workshop. Workshop topics should focus on building collaborations and can include:
| Click Here |
| Automotive Innovation Fund | If you have an incorporated automotive business, you could get funding to build greener, more fuel-efficient vehicles through innovation and R&D. Proposals will be assessed based on innovation, environmental and economic benefits, your ability to achieve stated objectives, and the project's contribution to:
| Click Here |
| Automotive Partnership Fund | If you are working on next-generation automotive technologies, you could receive financial assistance to support collaborative R&D activities. Your research must be driven by industry needs and involve industrial collaboration. Your proposal must show:
| Click Here |
| Automotive Partnership Fund | At Automotive Partners Funding, we are committed to helping you choose a quality car, truck or SUV from some of the largest and most reputable automotive dealerships in the nation. | Click Here |
| Science Horizons Youth Internship Program | Science Horizons supports green jobs for youth by providing wage subsidies to eligible employers to hire interns in environmental and clean technology sectors. Interns must be recent college or university graduates eligible to work in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). | Click Here |
| Supplier Financing | If you have accepted a promissory note from a foreign buyer, consider selling it to free up your cash flow. By selling your promissory note, you avoid having to:
| Click Here |
| Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) | By collaborating with government researchers, you could increase your business' scientific capacity for R&D projects relating to fish health and environmental performance. Eligible industry applicants must be:
| Click Here |
| Foreign Buyer Financing | If you export capital goods or services, your foreign buyer could benefit from EDC's financing solutions for terms ranging from 2 to 5 years.
Foreign buyers must provide financial information and other documentation. Financing solutions are not available for the purchase of commodities or raw and semi-processed goods. | Click Here |
| Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit Program (PSTC) | You may qualify for a tax credit of 16% on salaries and wages paid to Canadian residents working on your film or video production. There is no cap on the tax credit and it is available to both Canadian companies and foreign-owned companies with permanent establishments in Canada. | Click Here |
| Musication | If you are a French-language songwriter, composer, artist, or recording business owner, you may be eligible for financing to help pay for:
| Click Here |
| Sustainable Development Technology Fund | If you create technology that deals with climate change issues, clean air, clean water or soil quality, you could get funding to cover up to 33% of the costs involved in developing and testing your product. To qualify, you need to:
Your product or process must be used to:
| Click Here |
| Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program | If you conduct industrial R&D in Canada, you may be eligible for a tax refund or tax credit of up to 35% of what you spent on R&D. You can apply for tax credits for expenses like wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead and contracts related to:
| Click Here |
| Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipal Financing | You can apply for up to $75,000 to start or grow a business in Manitoba, if you:
Before applying, you must create a business plan showing that your business idea is a good one and that you will be able to repay the money later. | Click Here |
| NextGen Biofuels Fund | The Government of Canada is committed to expanding the production and use of cleaner biofuels (also called renewable fuels) such as ethanol and biodiesel. The Government has a four-pronged biofuels strategy in order to:
| Click Here |
| Strategic Areospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) | The Government of Canada is committed to expanding the production and use of cleaner biofuels (also called renewable fuels) such as ethanol and biodiesel. The Government has a four-pronged biofuels strategy in order to:
If your Canadian corporation does R&D in the aerospace, defense space or security industries, you could receive funding for up to 40% of the cost of your project. You may be eligible if your project:
| Click Here |
| Matching Investment Fund | You could get up to $150,000 to create new or improved products made from milk. Up to $25,000 can be used for consultation services while remaining funds must be applied towards product development. To qualify, you need to:
Other conditions apply. Small businesses (less than 25 employees) are eligible for reimbursement of up to 100% of eligible costs for the first $10,000 spent on a project. | Click Here |
Community Enterprise | The Community Enterprise Development Tax Credit (CEDTC) provides a refundable Manitoba tax credit of up to 45% to individuals and corporations who acquire equity capital in community-based enterprises in Manitoba. There is no minimum investment requirement for companies or individual investors, but each investor is limited to 10% or less of the total tax credit issuance | Click Here |
| FCC Energy Loan | FCC offers financing for environmental solutions that can help you make environmental upgrades to your operation and switch to renewable energy resources. Save money over time and keep your operation sustainable for future generations. Benefits:
| Click Here |