Business Expansion Grants in Ontario: 224 Programs to Help Grow Your Business

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund encourages innovation by fully supporting promising early stage start-ups, accelerators, incubators, and community partners. With a contribution of $100,000 from York Region for 2024, this fund will support further development in York Region and beyond.

As you think about growing your business, you could be unsure of exactly what your options are. Let’s work together to create a plan for scaling your business. Whether it’s a business plan, workflows and automation or increasing your sales and rebranding – we can brainstorm and come up with an action plan together.

Get the custom data you need to make
your expansion decision
Expansion decisions are all about data. How do costs or talent compare across potential new locations? How do lease rates compare with other communities? What sort of tax rates can you expect? We can answer these questions.

Find out what makes Waterloo so special
It’s hard to describe what makes this community so special in words – we always say you need to come here to experience the culture first-hand. We can help make that happen. We’ll help your company put together a custom tour of Waterloo and schedule meetings with local business leaders, researchers and professional services providers.

Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is helping to increase the availability of capital for Canada’s high-potential innovative firms, including those in the life sciences sector and for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, such as women and racialized communities. Please note that VCCI does not make direct investments into companies. Under Budget 2021, VCCI is investing up to $450 million through three streams:

1. Funds-of-funds stream investing up to $350 million in funds-of-funds;
2. Life sciences stream investing up to $50 million in VC funds primarily focused on investing in high-growth potential technology companies Canada’s life sciences sector; and,
3. Inclusive growth stream investing up to $50 million in VC funds to support increased access to VC for underrepresented groups, such as women and racialized communities.

The Touring Projects program supports Ontario-based professional artists/curators, ad hoc groups/collectives and arts organizations to tour performances, exhibitions, screenings and readings for public audiences within Ontario, nationally and internationally. The work(s) being toured must be created and performed by professional artists.

As TechAlliance takes bold steps towards equitable growth, we continue to unlock opportunities for some of Canada’s most promising startups and fastest-growing innovation companies with the i.d.e.a. Fund™ to foster a vibrant, inclusive and green ecosystem.

In Cohort 3, we will distribute up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching seed funding and up to 30 hours of expertise from our Venture Growth team to select innovative businesses in various sectors.

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) helps Indigenous communities participate in complex economic opportunities.
SPI promotes partnerships between federal and non-federal groups in key economic areas. This allows SPI to support opportunities that are not eligible for other federal funding. SPI initiatives can span multiple years, have regional economic impacts and serve multiple communities.

Strategic Innovation Fund’s Stream 3 provides funding to attract and retain large scale investments to Canada. It provides repayable and non-repayable contributions to firms of all sizes across all of Canada’s industrial and technology sectors.

Strategic Innovation Fund’s Stream 2 facilitates the growth and expansion of firms in Canada. It provides repayable and non-repayable contributions to firms of all sizes across all of Canada’s industrial and technology sectors.

The Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program (SFEP) enhances innovation and commercialization for entrepreneurs and established businesses who demonstrate the potential to create jobs and grow the economy. Emphasis will be placed on companies who identify business growth opportunities and are looking to reach new markets and expand sales.

The Starter Company Plus Grant supports eligible entrepreneurs looking to build their small businesses. Select entrepreneurs will receive training, mentoring and advice and will be eligible to apply for a micro-grant of $5,000 to assist with growth and expansion of their business.

The Starter Company Plus Grant supports eligible entrepreneurs looking to build their small businesses. Select entrepreneurs will receive training, mentoring and advice and will be eligible to apply for a micro-grant of $5,000 to assist with growth and expansion of their business.

The Starter Company Plus (SCP) Program is for business owners operating less than 5 years (market ready and ready to sell), ready to expand (hiring employees, contractors, or getting a location), or buying a business in Waterloo Region.

CSA’s smartEarth: Accelerator track provides grants to businesses to speed up the development of innovative satellite data solutions at different levels of readiness (up to the demonstration stage), that will respond to challenges of importance to Canada (through an application, a product, or a service). smartEarth aims to:
1. develop innovative satellite data solutions to help meet various needs on Earth and in people’s everyday lives;
2. increase collaboration among Canadian stakeholders;
3. enhance expertise, growth and competitiveness in Canada’s space sector; and
4. advance scientific knowledge.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate new investment in small businesses in the targeted sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. Consists of a grant program, whereby new or existing businesses that are expanding will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The City of Toronto offers small business expansion support through the GrowthWheel program, a cloud-based tool that assists in identifying measurable actions that an entrepreneur can focus on to reach their business goals.

GrowthWheel helps entrepreneurs assess their current business activities by taking a “360 degree” look at their business operations. The aim is to identify specific goals and strategies to incorporate into 30-, 60- or 90-day action plans that an entrepreneur can then implement.

SheBoot is tackling the funding gap facing women entrepreneurs by increasing the number of women making and receiving investment. We’re charting a new path for women founders—to grow, scale and compete globally.

The LEDC builds strategic partnerships to create a strong and resilient business growth ecosystem where founders and growth companies can find support, practical advice, and insightful mentorship.

LEDC provides scale-up support services to founders of growing businesses in London’s key sectors.

Sandbox Centre is Ontario’s newest Regional Innovation Centre! It is positioned to support your business with expert advice, mentorship, pathways to capital, timely education and access to Programs, Workshops, and Events!

Small retail businesses are the heart of Toronto’s main streets, employ thousands of residents, and are a key driver of the city’s prosperity.

This program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities. In addition, it offers a micro grant valued at $10,000 to help retail businesses develop and expand.

The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax that supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across the province that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019.

The Regional Development Program – Business Projects provides support for projects and investments to businesses and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern and southwestern Ontario.

Starter Company Plus provides a grant of up to $5,000 to start a new company, expand an existing company or buy a business in Ontario. Applicants can also apply for training and mentoring.

We produce and distribute all our projects regardless of format within documentary & animation, or of production model (100% funded by the NFB, co-production, or partnership).

The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program (PEFIP) aims to help supply-managed poultry and egg producers adapt to market changes resulting from the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The program supports on-farm investments in:
1. increasing efficiency or productivity,
2. improving on-farm food safety and biosecurity,
3. improving environmental sustainability,
4. responding to consumer preferences (improving animal welfare, adopting alternative housing systems, transitioning to organic production, etc.).

The OMIF Music Creation stream provides funding to support the development of competitive, sustainable music companies in Ontario that take risks discovering and developing talent – particularly emerging artists – and bringing it to market.

The Next Level program provides funding for Northwestern Ontario businesses with an innovative product or service and looking to expand. The support may be applicable to contracted expertise, services or direct costs in any of the following areas: equipment purchase, expansion to new markets, conference & tradeshows costs ($1,000 max), training & certification costs.

Take your MedTech company to the next level with hands-on coaching, in-depth company analysis, and direct access to healthcare professionals and industry partners. This program is designed to help you navigate compliance, refine your growth strategy, and accelerate success.

The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative seeks to enhance the capacity processing capabilities within the province’s meat processing plants and abattoirs.

The Initiative will provide funding to eligible free-standing meat plants and abattoirs so they can make short-term investments in meat handling and processing equipment, technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and productivity.

Working with McCain, FCC has created an incentive program open to eligible FCC customers who are potato growers using McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework.

The London Innovation Challenge aims to accelerate and scale select London-developed solutions. Two winners throughout the challenge will receive a $40,000 investment each, customized business advisory services, and a suite of other benefits from TechAlliance.

We will invest up to $10,000 into your business as well as provide hands-on support, access to mentors, and potential access to investors. With help from us, you will have your new business launched or your current company vaulted into success.

This program is for high-growth technology firms that have reached $2 million in revenue or capital and are on track to generating $100 million or more

IO Flex gives founders and business leaders access to early-stage advisors, cost-saving startup perks and a network of like-minded peers

For tech firms with early market traction, this program offers expert guidance from experienced advisors to help you establish and grow your business in multiple markets

The Founders Fast Track program helps your start-up with customer development, crafting a successful pitch, financial planning strategies, and understanding market trends. The program concludes with a speed pitching event with investors, and the top 10 start-ups are invited to compete for cash prizes at Innovation Factory’s LiONS LAIR competition.

The program teaches youth the practical skills for starting up a successful business during the summer break. We then coach and fund them to run it.

The Starter Company Plus program offers free training and mentorship to support early-stage, non-tech, Ottawa-based businesses.

Explore Ontario, a premier four-season travel destination fuelled by millions of tourists annually. With a thriving domestic scene and many attractions, Ontario offers endless investment opportunities in its booming tourism industry.

Welcome to the dynamic world of technology in Ontario, where innovation meets talent to drive progress across various industries. Our technology sector encompasses a diverse range of subsectors, each contributing to Ontario’s technological advancement. From pioneering developments in computer and electronics product manufacturing to breaking new ground in artificial intelligence and leading the charge in cleantech innovation, Ontario offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses looking to harness the power of technology for growth and sustainability.

Discover abundant opportunities in Ontario, where companies can access some of the world’s most mineral-rich deposits. With a competitive business climate and a legacy of innovation, Ontario welcomes you to capitalize on the growing demand for critical minerals. Whether you’re exploring, financing, or part of the mining supply and services sector, Ontario offers a wealth of potential for your investment endeavors.

Discover the power of collaborative innovation in Ontario, the home to the discovery of insulin and stem cells, and the largest life sciences jurisdiction in Canada. Hospitals, research centers, universities, technology incubators, start-ups and multinationals working together has created a dynamic ecosystem for groundbreaking discoveries, life changing clinical trials, and manufacturing capacity to scale. Ontario’s life sciences sector offers unparalleled opportunities for companies changing the face of healthcare.

Explore Ontario’s forestry sector, where economic prosperity intersects with environmental stewardship. With forests covering 66% of the province’s land area, Ontario’s forestry industry is not only a significant contributor to the economy but also plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Explore growth opportunities in Ontario’s dynamic agri-food sector, a significant player in North America. With a strong presence in annual sales and a multitude of business locations, Ontario offers a diverse landscape for food and beverage manufacturers. Take advantage of a well-established supply chain, innovative research and development initiatives, and global market access through strategic trade agreements. Ontario’s dedication to innovation and sustainability sets the stage for your agri-food business to thrive.

Experience innovation in Ontario’s manufacturing sector. Join a vibrant community of industry leaders who are charting the future of production in Ontario. Here, you will find access to state-of-the-art technologies and tailored support, all designed to help your business thrive.

The Investment – Locate Stream provides financial support to businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario.

The Investment – Grow Stream provides financial support to businesses expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario.

This program will provide specialized industry expertise to develop growth plans and related strategies in areas such as talent attraction, raising follow-on investment, product development and quantification of product benefits/market value propositions, commercialization of intellectual property, and market diversification. Each RIC will distribute up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching seed funding to select innovative businesses in various sectors.

The Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) provides grants and financing to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations. The fund helps promote economic development and improve employment opportunities for Indigenous people.

The HardTech Pitch Competition, held in partnership by ventureLAB and the Regional Municipality of York, is open to small and medium enterprises incorporated in Canada developing hardware innovations. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch for their chance to take home a collective $50,000 in cash and showcase their breakthrough products and innovations in hardware technology to a broad audience including industry, investors, government, media, and more!

Companies looking to develop or acquire a new business, grow their customer base, open a satellite office, or develop distribution channels or partnerships are welcome to ‘land’ in Hamilton, Ontario – the gateway to possibility!

Book a 30-minute Discovery Call with our Global Hamilton Team to learn why Hamilton is the place for your business and gain access to relevant resources and connections to ensure a smooth transition.

The GROW Accelerator is designed to supercharge businesses’ acceleration from startup to scale-up. It follows a cohort model, with each group of companies meeting weekly with their growth coaches, and gathering monthly for honest and informative conversations with business leaders and high-growth entrepreneurs, as well sharing the opportunities and challenges that each participating company has faced.

The objectives of the GGI are to:
– increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food and rural development
– build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector
– enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
– strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
– encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes

Our Global Expansion team helps businesses that are seeking to expand their global footprint in Ottawa and those already established in the city scale up their enterprises.

FedDev Ontario is investing in people, potential, and possibilities. We want to help you grow so you can reach your potential and unlock new possibilities.

The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects program provides funding for strategic investments in the forest sector to for-profit manufacturers and processors of wood and forest biomass across Ontario.
Strategic investments must improve productivity and innovation, enhance competitiveness, support new market access, provide benefits to Ontario’s broader forest sector and strengthen regional economies.

The members of Hamilton’s Economic Development team are equipped to provide you with personalized service for your business. Hamilton’s Foreign Direct Investment plan and its Business Attraction Program have successfully generated awareness of the city as a premiere North American business hub where local and international businesses can grow.

The Food Safety and Growth Initiative (the Initiative) provides funding to small agri-food businesses to:
– modernize their food safety systems
– adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards
– stimulate growth in the agriculture and food sector
Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year (2023 to 2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments. Up to $5 million has been allocated for the Initiative.

FCC has created an incentive program that integrates AgExpert Field with Fertilizer Canada’s Nutrient Stewardship Program for eligible customers who use 4R practices in their operations, work with a 4R Designated Agronomist, Agrologist, or Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) for the 2024 growing season.

FCC provides financing to young entrepreneurs under 40 to start or expand their business. They can purchase shares in, buy, or improve an agricultural or food-related business, and take their dream business to the next level.

FCC provides financing to women entrepreneurs in agriculture, agribusiness and agri-food to start or grow their business.Through our research and discussions with women in agriculture, we discovered three key needs: increased access to capital to start or grow their business, access to business and competency skill development for themselves and their business, and access to tools, resources, and people to learn from and be inspired.

The LEDC offers existing London businesses and companies overseas in London’s key sectors several expansion planning services designed to facilitate sustainable, long-term growth.

The Entrepreneur Mentoring Program matches new business owners and startup entrepreneurs with experienced peers who can provide guidance and encouragement.

Structured and Project Finance is designed specifically for limited recourse financing of long-term, capital intensive projects.

EDC Investments is an evergreen investment program with more than $3 billion in capital to help Canadian businesses reach their potential.

Export Development Canada (EDC) can match investments of $10 million or more with our expedited co-investment program.
With the goal of accelerating the growth of Canadian businesses, EDC leverages the due diligence of your venture capital or private equity investor(s) to help you access more capital faster, and “matches” new investments on their terms and conditions

Export Development Canada (EDC) has committed $200 million to invest in companies founded or led by diverse Canadians
For Canadian exporting businesses owned and led by people identifying as women, Indigenous, Black and other dimensions of diversity, one of the main barriers to growth is lack of equitable access to capital. This program helps address that challenge and create more opportunities for growth.

EDC can provide financing to Canadian exporters to help support their global expansion plans, allowing them to increase their capacity for trade and capitalize their strategic international growth plans. We work to fill the market gaps left by traditional financing lenders.

We provide patient, impactful, non-dilutive financial solutions for Canadian companies, their affiliate, or subsidiary, to scale operations in foreign jurisdictions.
We work on a non-competitive basis, collaborating with you and your lender.
Various financing structures are available, including syndications, clubs, bilateral term loans and guarantees.
Pricing will be market based, or—if appropriate—follow Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) consensus arrangement terms, and commensurate with risk.

The E-Commerce Accelerator program equips established entrepreneurs with expert support, peer networks, and actionable training to help scale their annual recurring revenue. This is a bootcamp style program that will provide dedicated learning delivered over two days followed by six months of peer group sessions.

Working with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), FCC has created an incentive program open to eligible FCC customers who participate in DUC’s Marginal Areas Program.

Digital Greenhouse is a digital innovation initiative for Canadian individuals, groups and organizations. It supports short-term projects that leverage digital technology to address sectoral and digital challenges, including:
1. the development of new digital tools and solutions that increase the resilience, sustainability, and discoverability of the arts sector,
2. the development of sector-wide and cross-sector collaborations, partnerships, and networks to support innovative digital business models, revenue models and monetization strategies,
3. sectoral approaches aimed at strategically increasing the digital/data literacy and ongoing digital transformation of the arts sector,
4. addressing challenges and exploring digital solutions related to accessibility, equity, diversity, decolonization, social justice, and climate responsibility created by, or relevant to, the digital world,
5. addressing challenges and exploring solutions related to the lack of access to digital infrastructure for remote regions and Northern and under-represented communities.

DFO’s Indigenous Marine Servicing Initiative (IMSI) is designed to increase Indigenous participation in the marine industry supply chain, which supports Indigenous communities and commercial fishing enterprises (CFEs) that want to expand and diversify into Indigenous marine-related service industries.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. The program is aimed at attracting new businesses to the city and the expansion of existing businesses through the development, redevelopment, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of buildings and properties in the Community Improvement Project Area.

Working with Dairy Farmers of Canada and Lactanet, FCC has created an incentive program for eligible FCC customers. The criteria to qualify will be a combination of herd sustainability metrics and proAction® environment module results.

Producers on milk recording with Lactanet can use the recently launched Herd Sustainability Index results, while those not on milk recording can qualify by providing similar metrics.

Unlock your growth potential.
Chart your course to funding and scaling with tailored support for your journey.
Tap into a network of capital partners, growth opportunities, fundraising support and tools with Strategic Capital Services.

Co-production proposals are weighed and evaluated under the same NFB programming considerations listed above. As a rule, the NFB does not fund more than 49% of the production budget for Canadian or international co-productions.

Funding the build-out of new production capacity will:
grow the domestic production capacity for clean fuels including clean hydrogen, advanced biofuels, renewable natural gas, and sustainable aviation fuel, across Canada
offer new opportunities for Canada’s energy sector in the transition to producing cleaner sources of energy
support Canada’s efforts to reach net-zero by 2050
position Canada globally to reap economic, environmental, and social benefits of the energy transition

Working with Cargill, FCC has created an incentive program for eligible FCC customers who participated in the Cargill RegenConnectᵀᴹ Program for the 2024 crop year.

Working with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) and its certification bodies, FCC has created an incentive program for eligible customers who are CRSB Certified.

Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) ProgramThe Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program is a loan guarantee program designed to increase the availability of loans to farmers and agricultural co-operatives. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms, while agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming.

The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream aims to accelerate the growth of firms and assist with the adoption and adaptation of new, innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity, development of and entry into new markets to help companies become competitive in both domestic and global markets.

The program intended to provide incentive to encourage existing businesses to make new capital investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. The program will also apply to projects that demonstrate a significant investment resulting in the retention and/or expansion of high value industries and jobs. Consists of a grant program, whereby existing businesses will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

Aspiring or emerging publishers and other creative entrepreneurs can apply for up to $5,000 in start-up funding to plan, launch or further develop a company that publishes a digital periodical.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate new investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying Windsor’s economy. The program will also apply to projects that demonstrate a major investment resulting in a significant positive impact on the local economy and workforce.

Consists of a grant program, whereby new businesses will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

To help businesses grow, our Senior Business Advisors work with established firms to better understand business needs and growth opportunities to build the capacity of small and medium-sized businesses to scale and grow. We support small and medium-sized businesses with:

– accessing capital
– assessing organizational strengths and identifying potential opportunities for improvement
– doing business with government
– understanding and navigating government regulations and compliance challenges
– making connections to other provincial ministries, and other levels of government
– networking with other businesses
– making connections with local partners (e.g. to help find skilled staff)
facilitating discussions and referrals to support business capacity building, such as technology adoption and export readiness programs

Get real-world guidance from an experienced business expert that’s specific to your business needs and your business challenges

We are one of the world’s largest venture capital funds dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies and helping build a robust ecosystem to support women in tech today and in the future.

We are unique in that we have a dual mandate: to deliver a return on investment and make a lasting impact on the Canadian tech ecosystem

BDC provides Purchase Order Financing as a recommended solution, offering companies the opportunity to enhance their cash flow. This financing option empowers businesses to meet the demands of substantial orders without jeopardizing their day-to-day operations.

BDC is the bank devoted to Canadian entrepreneurs. We provide financing and advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses at every stage of growth. This includes access to the right tools and resources, such as training, networking, partnerships and more.

The Intellectual Property-Backed Financing solution from BDC Capital recognizes the strength and value of your intellectual property (IP) portfolio and helps you develop, scale and expand your business.

We operate on the frontier of innovation where tomorrow’s technologies are born. With deep expertise and agility, we manage $300 million in capital — investing in Canada’s most innovative technology companies, firms that are redefining how the world works by bringing digital transformation to a wide range of industries. We’re often the first institutional investor in, because we recognize opportunity when we see it.

Industrial Innovation Venture Fund brings direct investment and strategic support to visionary management teams with the desire, ambition and courage to become Canada’s next generation of global leaders.

DC has a long history of working with Indigenous entrepreneurs and appreciates your unique histories, cultures and contributions in Canada. We stand in solidarity with you and all Indigenous peoples and are committed to listening, learning and taking action towards Reconciliation.

Helping ambitious business owners from underserved communities get the financing, education and support they need to succeed.

The $500 million Growth Venture envelope continues and expands on the mandate of the previous Funds I and II. It targets late-stage, innovation-based businesses that are at an inflection point and show strong potential for meaningful scale. Our team and network give entrepreneurs the structure and strategies to build markets worldwide.

We invest equity capital in Canadian mid-market growth businesses as a minority investor. In partnership with management teams and stakeholders, we work to accelerate growth and to create the next generation of national and global champions.

Since inception in 2017, we have partnered with dozens of growth-oriented Canadian enterprises and today manage several capital pools totaling approximately $900 million. We are currently investing from Growth Equity Partners Fund III, a $300 million capital pool launched in 2024.

Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to find the optimal financing structure for raising capital to buy a competitor’s or supplier’s business, for example.

Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to find the optimal financing structure for raising capital to buy a competitor’s or supplier’s business, for example.

Our $200 million fund is actively looking for startups with the potential to have a transformative impact on global industries. Such companies working with BDC Capital enjoy support throughout their journey, including by facilitating market access and playing a role in every stage of their growth.