Funding Roadmap: Navigating the Application Process

Funding Roadmap: Navigating the Application Process

Businesses can take several different approaches when applying for Canadian government funding. Some companies develop and submit applications internally, while other firms voluntarily opt to receive external support throughout the funding process. Either application method can lead to a successful small business funding outcome, but understanding the differences between each will help promote a better…

How to Get Canadian Government Funding for Your Business

How to Get Canadian Government Funding for Your Business

Canadian government funding is a powerful resource that helps action-oriented companies respond to market opportunities. It offers the potential for financial support towards project-related expenses that lead meet the government funding program’s objectives such as accessing new markets, developing innovative products, and improving productivity, among others. When used strategically, it can greatly improve a business…

Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP): Challenges Initiative

Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP): Challenges Initiative

Since launching in 2010, the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) has extended more than 240 government contracts and provided over $100 million to Canadian innovators. This includes a range of military and non-military innovations, such as these two BCIP success stories from early-2017. A total of 30 Canadian government departments have participated in the…

Canadian Small Businesses Trends: Optimism in Summer 2017

Canadian Small Businesses Trends: Optimism in Summer 2017

The Bank of Canada’s quarterly Business Outlook Survey summarizes interviews between the bank and approximately 100 senior managers from businesses across Canada. Its purpose is to gather the perspectives of these businesses on topics such as demand, capacity pressures, and other economic indicators. The Summer 2017 Business Outlook Survey signalled that businesses are gaining strength…

The Top Trends in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Industry

The Top Trends in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Industry

Today, approximately 3,800 Ontario food and beverage processing companies provide crucial resources to both local and international consumers. The province continues to be an ideal location for business owners in the food and beverage industry based on access to natural resources, innovation, and skilled labour. In 2016, Ontario’s agriculture sector increased its total output by…

What Dungeons and Dragons Teaches us about Effective Work Teams

What Dungeons and Dragons Teaches us about Effective Work Teams

Although the Mentor Works team is dedicated to helping our clients receive government funding, we do have some hobbies outside of work. This includes traditional hobbies like cooking, reading, sports, and gardening, as well as more eccentric hobbies. Over the past year, some Mentor Works team members have been playing dungeons and dragons together. Not…

Starter Company Plus: Up to $5k in Funding for Youth Entrepreneurs

Starter Company Plus: Up to $5k in Funding for Youth Entrepreneurs

In 2014, the Government of Ontario introduced Starter Company, a funding program that supported youth entrepreneurs. To date, the program has assisted 2,700 businesses and supported the creation of more than 3,100 jobs across the province. That iteration of the program is now closed, however, to continue supporting startup ventures in Ontario, the government has…

2017 Top Trends and Consumer Insights for Canadian Businesses

2017 Top Trends and Consumer Insights for Canadian Businesses

As most business owners can agree, staying abreast of the latest top trends and consumer insights is crucial to success. Not only does this ensure that your business will stay ahead of competitors, but it also helps you prepare for the future and navigate industry-changing shifts with ease. Of course, pinpointing the most innovative ideas…

Ontario Scale-Up Vouchers Program for Small Business Growth Plans

Ontario Scale-Up Vouchers Program for Small Business Growth Plans

Please Note: The Scale-Up Vouchers Program is closed and no longer accepts applications. Please explore more business expansion funding opportunities. Ontario’s small business community is booming, yet few of these companies effectively scale their solutions into global markets. In December 2015, there were 48.3 times more small businesses (1-99 employees) than medium-sized (100-499 employees) companies…