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Are you a budding entrepreneur looking for government grants for startups in Canada? This article covers all about government grants for startups in Canada.
Startup funding is essential if you are about to start a new business or grow an old business. Even to set up a small business, you need to make some capital investments.
People today are mostly going towards entrepreneurship, and it is a leading country like Canada; it is an excellent career choice.
However, before running a new business, one should explore available government funding options. There are plenty of ways to find funding for your startup ideas.
But the most preferred one would be the government grants as it offers more added benefits.
Canada’s government offers many funding programs to support Canadian small businesses, non-profit institutions, research works, or large corporations. But the key to your success is knowing which grant fits the best for your organization or idea.
The problem entrepreneurs or small business owners usually face tracking down these government grants for startups in Canada.
The grants issued by Canada’s government are not commonly referred to as “small business grants.” And that is why researching the grants in detail is important.
So to help you easily track things down, we have put together the top government grants for startups in Canada. And also how you can get it, and other such necessary details.
List Of Government Grants For Startups in Canada
The top or most preferred government grants for startups in Canada can be classified into four categories:
1. Hiring & Training Grants
Anything works best when done in teams. As it is truly said, “Our strength lies in our unity.” Similarly, a business works better with a strong team. Developing the workforce is the first step when planning to expand a business.
There are many Canadian government grants for workforce development or small business recruitment needs. Such grants and wage subsidies are made available across Canada to support your ideas.
Here are a few hiring and training grants to look up to:
1.1 Connect Canada Internship
Connect Canada Internship is a national internship program. It links graduate students or post-doctoral fellows with Canadian companies or private sectors in Canada.
1.2 Mitacs Accelerate
Mitacs Accelerate is a program that supports all business research-related issues. It provides up to 50% of stipends.
1.3 IRAP Youth Employment Program (YEP)
This is a small business funding program that helps with the funding of hiring postgraduates.
1.4 Canada Job Grant
It is a government training grant to minimize the cost of providing skills training to any employee.
1.5 Skills Catalyst Fund
The Skills Catalyst Fund is specifically designed to support and build strong employment for participants. It helps promote innovative ideas and solutions. It provides about 80% of training expenses.
The Icy Canada team talked to Philip Wentworth, Jr, Co-Founder and CEO of Rockerbox Tax Solutions, about the challenges and opportunities that shape an entrepreneur’s business strategy in Canada. Here is what he said:
“Starting and operating Rockerbox Tax Solutions in the Canadian business landscape presented unique challenges and opportunities, especially in navigating the tax and regulatory environment.
One key challenge was adapting to the distinct Canadian tax laws, which differ significantly from those in the U.S. We leveraged this by developing a specialized knowledge base in Canadian business tax regulations, allowing us to offer tailored tax mitigation strategies to local entrepreneurs.
Moreover, understanding the importance of local networking in Canada’s business community was crucial.
We actively participated in local business associations and chambers of commerce, which not only helped in understanding the nuances of Canadian business culture but also in building trust and establishing a client base.
This hands-on approach significantly boosted our visibility and credibility among Canadian small businesses.
On the resource front, utilizing government-provided tools and incentives for small businesses, such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program, proved beneficial.
This program offers tax incentives for businesses to conduct research and development in Canada.
By assisting our clients in making effective use of such incentives, we not only maximized their financial benefits but also positioned Rockerbox as an expert in a niche market, thus driving our growth in the competitive Canadian landscape.”
2. Capital Investment Funding
Capital Investment Funding is designed to help & support Canadian businesses based on technology and software projects. It provides business and funding consulting solutions.
And the grants or funds are to support spending that directly helps improve or build business performance and innovative technologies.
Some of the popular capital investment funding grants are:
2.1 Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
The government of Canada offers the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. It is made to contribute toward improving the physical conditions of arts and heritage in Canada.
It promotes access for Canadians to performing arts, media arts, or visual arts. The grants are offered for infrastructure projects.
2.2 Dairy Processing Investment Fund
The Dairy Processing Investment Fund is to help provide funding to dairy processors. It is done through capital investments in equipment and infrastructure to improve manufacturing technologies and processes.
2.3 Strategic Innovation Fund
The Strategic Innovation Fund supports technology development projects. It also promotes the growth & expansion of firms and large-scale ecosystems.
3. Research and Development Funding
There are many different programs to support research and development works in organizations or large-scale firms. Research and development are the basis for strong business ideas.
And without proper research & development, competing against international firms or other businesses in demand is quite difficult.
So Canadian research and development funding is to help companies expand their research budget. The popular government grants for startups Canada under this category are:
3.1 Agroscience
It is a Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. It provides funding for research and development activities in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. It is specifically designed to improve support for minor commodities.
3.2 Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program
The Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program is a popular funding program. It is jointly handled by Alberta Innovates and the Ontario Centres of Excellence.
It helps boost applied research and development and solve industrial challenges.
3.3 Industry R&D Associates Program
This program helps support innovation and creative problem-solving in small and large-scale businesses. It also helps improve outcomes and develop more in-house research and development capabilities.
Abid Salahi, Co-Founder and CEO of FinlyWealth discussed about Canada’s startup ecosystem. Here is what he had to say:
“As a tech CEO in Canada, I’ve tackled unique hurdles and tapped into untapped potentials.
The tech space here is fiercely competitive, pushing us to consistently innovate and stay ahead. Canada’s stringent regulatory landscape posed complexities, but they were eased by the resources available.
Canada’s startup ecosystem, beaming with funding choices, educational programs, and networking platforms, turned challenges into growth propellers.
A game-changer in our journey was building a strong network, embracing collaboration, and capitalizing on every technological edge we had.”
4. Business Expansion Funding Grants & Loans
Expanding your business is a key step toward proper growth. To take a business into a globally competitive environment takes a good amount of financial resources.
And for that, applying for funding provided by the government is the right choice to make.
The business expansion funding grants and loans offer the costs of hiring employees, market research, and international trade shows.
Some of the popular grants under this category are summarized below:
4.1 CanExport
CanExport helps businesses prepare for international markets. It helps to fund travel and other related activities. Such as when there is a requirement for physical presence in foreign countries for trading and expansion.
It provides up to $75,000 to help small enterprises enter international markets
4.2 Creative Export Canada
Creative Export Canada is a government-funded program that supports international marketing projects related to export revenues. It also helps creative industries get a better reach. It offers up to $2.5M in non-repayable contributions.
4.3 Rural Economic Development Fund
This program specifically supports regional and rural development activities in communities of Southern Ontario.
Speaking of startups and businesses, business persons get very difficult to manage all their finances on time. But payday loans are there to save your day; click here to know all about online payday loans in Canada.
5 Best Government Grants For Startups in Canada
Below are the five most popular government grants for startups in Canada, every budding entrepreneur in Canada should be going after. Some of these grants may or may not be specific to a province or territory.
1. Scientific Research and Experimental Development
First, the most popular government grant for startups in Canada is Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED).
It is a tax incentive or tax credit program. It supports partnerships, individuals, or corporations of all sizes involved in scientific research and experimental development in Canada.
The program is designed to promote corporations of all sizes, especially small-to-medium businesses and firms. It is the Canadian government’s largest single support grant for research & development. The Canada Revenue Agency runs it.
The program provides around $4 billion in investment tax credits each year. It is offered to improve technologically advanced products and services.
Eligibility Criteria: What Businesses Are Eligible to Apply for the Grant?
All business organizations operating research and development projects in Canada are eligible to apply for this grant. Or businesses that are engaged in advancing technologies to improve devices, products, or new materials may also fall under this grant.
Mainly there are three categories of businesses that come under this grant, and they are:
i) Individuals, partnerships, or trusts.
ii) Canadian-controlled private organizations or corporations.
iii) Other corporations.
Apart from these three particular categories, other work can also be included under SR & ED. Work such as Design, Mathematical Analysis, Computer programming, Engineering, Operation Research, Data Collection, Testing, and Psychological Research.
And for any research & development work to be eligible for scientific research and experimental development grant:
- The work must be in science and technology, which is not excluded by the definition of SR&ED.
- The work must be to achieve technological advances.
- The work must be for advancing scientific knowledge.
2. SmartStart
The second grant on the list of most popular government grants for startups in Canada is SmartStart.
SmartStart seed fund is a funding and financing program partnered by the Federal Economic Development Agency For Southern Ontario.
The program provides finances for entrepreneurship skills training to startups based in Ontario. It helps and supports growing startups that are less than four years old and makes them customer-ready.
The funding is delivered through the Ontario Centres of Excellence. The program’s duration is up to 10 months
Through the program, you can get the following benefits:
i) You can get more access to investment networks and regional business sources.
ii) You get up to $30,000 in early-stage funding to grow your business.
iii) Or you can get up to 5,000 with no matching funds required.
Basic Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
You can apply for the SmartStart seed fund if you meet the following criteria:
- If you are a research graduate who is affiliated with a Campus-Linked Accelerator.
- A startup company based in a Southern Ontario Census Division.
- Free to use your business’s property with no third-party rights.
- Previously not associated with Ontario Centres of Excellence funding.
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Has less than a $25,000 investment.
How To Apply?
For the SmartStart seed funding program, you can apply through the Ontario Centres of Excellence. They have business development managers who will help you through the application process.
3. The Canada-Ontario Job Grant
The Canada-Ontario Job Grant is next on the list of the most popular government grants for startups in Canada. Ontario’s workforce and business organizations is a valuable asset to Canada.
To help build up training and achieve goals, the government of Canada provides funding through this Canada-Ontario job grant.
This grant helps provide opportunities for employers to invest in their workforce and build better strength.
It directly provides support to individual employers or organizations more willing to purchase skills training for their employees. And it is available to all sizes of businesses.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Individual and nonprofit sector employees or First Nations and other organizations presenting on behalf of employers are eligible to apply for the grant. However, employees must meet the following requirements:
- The employee must be licensed to operate in Ontario.
- Has made a minimum cash contribution towards the cost of training.
- Applying for jobs located in Ontario.
- Must not be an employment service provider
- Must have appropriate third-party liability insurance.
4. Industrial Research Assistance Program
Last but not least, on the list of most popular government grants for startups in Canada is the Industrial Research Assistance Program. It is one of Canada’s leading assistance programs for both small and medium-sized businesses.
It helps & supports Canada’s businesses in growing and increasing their innovation capacity and making them ready for international markets.
It is one of the best funding programs providing non-repayable financial assistance. It covers around 80% of salaries and 50% of contractor costs.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
For the Industrial Research Assistance Program, one must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:
- Must be a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise.
- Have less than 500 full-time employees.
- Have objectives toward technology-driven products and services.
How To Apply?
To apply for IRAP funding, the first step is to contact a local IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor. And then discuss your project and objectives.
We interviewed Nicolas Krauss, Founder and CEO of dasFlow Custom Sublimation Apparel, on this. Here is what he said:
“Starting and operating a business in Canada presents challenges, such as navigating regional regulatory differences and a highly competitive market. However, opportunities abound in accessing a diverse, skilled workforce and a supportive ecosystem for startups.
I’ve found that leveraging local networks, such as industry associations and business chambers, and taking advantage of government grants and incentives, to be most effective in navigating these challenges and maximizing growth opportunities.”
Final Verdict!
These are the four most popular government grants for startups Canada that every entrepreneur should consider applying for.
Every grant has its different benefits and eligibility criteria. So, analyze your goals and choose a grant accordingly that fits best.
There are many other grants, both government-funded as well as non-government, which could meet your goals. So do your research and let us know how helpful these grants were for your startup in the comment section.
However, government grants for startups in Canada have shown to be more promising and beneficial.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar
