Canadian Startup Resources
Find Funding for Canadian Entrepreneurs.
The Canadian government creates the majority of their funding programs for established businesses, often requiring more than 15 employees, above two years of being incorporated, leaving many innovative startups to find funding through other means. Mentor Works has put together a list of the top resources to help Canadian entrepreneurs get their business off the ground.
Entrepreneur and Startup Funding Programs
Find grant and loan programs offered by organizations such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program, Futurpreneur, and more.
Startup Funding Opportunities
Fundingportal Growth™ Funding Search Engine
Match your projects into the right funding programs at each stage of your business growth. Activate alerts to stay informed about new opportunities. Built for high-growth SMEs, and companies looking to scale, Fundingportal streamlines your path to government grants, tax credits, and business incentive programs.
Startup Funding Opportunities
Retroactive Tax Credits Through SR&ED
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program is Canada’s largest single source of funding for Canadian businesses of all sizes, including entrepreneurs and startups. The program provides more than $3 billion in tax incentives to over 20,000 claimants annually.
This program provides retroactive tax credits for innovative R&D projects that have already been conducted. Eligible expenses through this program include:
- Labour: Up to 69% of eligible salaries (including overhead).
- Contractor: Up to 36% of contractor costs.
- Materials: Up to 45% of materials consumed.
Startup Funding Opportunities
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Business Advisory Services and Loans
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) can help your business with both financing options and advisory services. They work with the full spectrum of businesses across Canada and will be able to help you build the foundation for your growth. The link above will allow you to request either a business loan or advisory services from BDC.
Startup Funding Opportunities
Futurpreneur: Youth Startup Resources, Mentoring, and Financing
Futurpreneur Canada is a business support service that has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for over two decades. They are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing of up to $60,000 ($20,000 + $40,000 from BDC), mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. You can contact the program directly at info@futurpreneur.ca.
Startup Funding Opportunities
Tech-Access Canada
Tech-Access Canada supports the network of 60 Technology Access Centers (TACs) across Canada. These are specialized R&D centers affiliated with colleges that help create new prototypes, scale-up manufacturing, and other applied research and innovation assistance to Canadian SMEs. TACs provide access to cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary teams of experts that can translate innovative ideas into market-ready products where businesses retain control of the intellectual property. Is Tech-Access Canada right for you?
Build the Foundation for Government Funding
To be eligible for many government funding programs, businesses often need to build a solid foundation for their business by meeting certain criteria. Your startup business may not be eligible for government funding yet, but you can set your business up for successful funding applications by following the tips and guidelines listed below.
Establishing Eligibility
Startup Funding Checklist
We’ve created the free Startup Funding Checklist to help early-stage companies better understand basic eligibility criteria and provide a roadmap to qualifying for larger, more robust government grants and loans.
Establishing Eligibility
Canadian Government Funding Newsletter
Mentor Works provides occasional updates on the startup funding landscape through our blog. Whether sharing news of upcoming startup events or funding programs aimed at early-stage businesses, you can find details of funding opportunities by registering for our weekly Government Funding Snapshot newsletter.
Each Monday, you’ll receive top funding news from the previous week; while not all editions will feature startup-related news, you’ll have access to our full range of business consulting, market trends, and professional development news. You’ll also gain an insider’s perspective on the government funding landscape for mature established businesses, which can assist with your business’ growth and development as it prepares to access grants and loans into the future.
Establishing Eligibility
From Startup to Small Business: The Evolution of Funding and Support Options
From Startup to Small Business: A business idea is only as good as its entrepreneur’s or team’s ability to grow and nourish it from the ground up. To succeed, each startup business must obtain some form of capital.
This article summarizes the process that leads startups to becoming a successful small business, and the evolution of resources, Canadian government grants, and funding options available throughout the journey.
Establishing Eligibility
Have Questions? Visit Our FAQ Page For More
Have questions about government funding? You’re not alone!
It can be challenging for businesses of all sizes to navigate the Canadian government’s funding process. Time and resources are required to optimize the planning, writing, submission, and reporting process; however, access to funding regularly has tremendous benefits.
Using our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, Canadian businesses of all sizes can become familiar with funding options available when completing the Canadian government funding process.
Find Business Advice
Starting a business is tough, but you’re never alone. Find government help agencies and incubators that offer free and paid resources to Canadian entrepreneurs in every province.
Third Party Startup Resources
Find a Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA)
Canadian tech organizations seeking to expand their business into foreign markets who are need of support can look to the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program, which helps companies that have an established product or service and wish to export and expand into international markets. CTAs are located in major international tech hubs, and provide small tech companies with mentoring and workspace, as well as introductions to potential investors, partners, and customers.
Third Party Startup Resources
Canadian Business Incubators
Business incubators are organizations and programs that give start-ups and very early stage companies access to investors, start-up funding, mentorship, shared office space, and technical resources to help them get established. Incubators may be funded by the government, supported through membership fees, or provide support in exchange for equity in companies.
Third Party Startup Resources
Ontario Centre Of Innovation
In order to generate the best returns on innovation for Ontarians, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities.
Third Party Startup Resources
Ontario Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC)
The Ontario provincial government is investing over $2M in small business training and financial support during COVID-19 through local Small Business Enterprise Centres.
Third Party Startup Resources
Human Resource Tips for Startups & Small Businesses
This collection of human resources tips will help show you how to reduce costs and conflicts within your business.
Third Party Startup Resources
Provincial Employment Services
Each province has their own collection of employment services centre that help employers find talent and develop their workforce with matchmaking, skill development, and subsidies. Please click the appropriate link below to find a centre near you:
- Alberta: Alberta Employment Services
- British Columbia: WorkBC Centres
- Manitoba: Training & Employment Services + Manitoba Skills/Employment Partnerships
- New Brunswick: WorkingNB + NBJobs.ca
- Newfoundland & Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador Employment and Labour
- Northwest Territories: NWT Career, Employment and Training Services
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Works
- Nunavut: Nunavut Employment Support
- Ontario: Employment Ontario Services + Employment Ontario Centres
- Prince Edward Island (PEI): PEI Employment Development Agency
- Québec: Local Employment Centre (CLE) or Services Québec Office
- Saskatchewan: SaskAbilities
- Yukon: Yukon Employment Government Contact
