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.

Build the Foundation for Government Funding

Canadian Startup Resources

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.

Startup Funding

Canadian Startup Resources

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.

Parliament Hill building closeup in Ottawa, Canada

Entrepreneur and Startup Funding Programs

Canadian Startup Resources

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.
Learn the basics of the SR&ED program with this quick and simple video

Canadian Startup Resources

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.

Smiling job applicant in suit handing over resume to recruiter during interview. Modern office setting. Recruitment manager giving resume back to candidate. Human resources, hiring, interview concept.

Canadian Startup Resources

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.

Young Canadian Entrepreneur

Canadian Startup Resources

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?

Startup Funding News

Find Business Advice

Canadian 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.

Canadian Technology Accelerators

Canadian 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.

Canadian Startup Incubator

Canadian Startup Resources

Research Innovation Centres (RICs) Services

Staff at these RICs include entrepreneurs-in-residence, specialists and analysts with years of business experience who are well-positioned to deliver ONE programs and services. Please visit ONE’s website and fill out the form on their homepage to locate your nearest RIC; they will provide you with your local RIC’s contact information.

Canadian Entrepreneur Marketing

Canadian 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.

Canadian Startup Help

Canadian 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. Read more.

Human Resources Tips

Canadian 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:

Hiring Services in Canada

Business Strategy Articles

Networking Opportunities

Canadian Startup Resources

Upcoming Networking Events

Attend an upcoming Canadian business networking event by viewing upcoming events through EventBrite. Due to COVID-19, many networking events have temporarily pivoted towards being virtual.

Networking Event

Canadian Startup Resources

Upcoming Trade Shows

Canadian Trade Show