Ontario Startup Grants: 47 Grants & More for Ontario Startups

Summer Company is an amazing opportunity for young entrepreneurs to run their own business over Summer. Participants can expect to receive:

start-up money to kick-off a new summer business
advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running
Learning how to run your own student business is one of the best summer jobs you can have. You get to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. You’ll develop skills in areas such as sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management, networking and more

The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre is here to guide you every step of the way. We offer free workshops and resources to help you navigate through the essential steps required to turn your start up idea into a profitable business. Getting an understanding of the basic fundamentals will help you make decisions and take actions ultimately saving you time in running your business, help you make more money and give you confidence to build a successful business.

The Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) takes a founder-aligned approach to nurturing breakthrough Canadian technology companies. IAF provides capital and equips portfolio companies with the necessary resources, skills, and networks to validate their ideas and market their products and services. Leveraging the team’s robust international experience, IAF enhances company profiles, explores market opportunities, and aids talent acquisition. It acts as a crucial conduit, connecting early-stage funding to the broader investment community via its extensive networks facilitating innovative venture growth.

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 Summer Company program (opens in new window) supports eligible young student entrepreneurs, aged 15 to 29, looking to launch and operate a small business during the summer.

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!

Ready 4 Market (R4M) is Ontario’s leading pre-seed investment fund. Through the fund, OCI co-invests with angel and other investors in early-stage Ontario-based start-ups with competitive IP commercializing transformative technologies to support their growth into scalable businesses. R4M is a competitive co-investment fund, with hundreds of companies considered for funding closing around 20 investments each year.

The Summer Company program provides students aged 15 to 29 start-up money to kick-off a new summer business and advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running.
Applicants must start their business from May to July and end it on Labour Day or they can choose to keep running their summer business while in school.

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.

Mitacs Entrepreneur International offers a travel grant to Canadian start-ups that are housed in an incubator or accelerator linked to an academic institution to connect them with host incubators abroad and explore new business development opportunities in international markets.

Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur provides early-stage support to postdoctoral fellows (PDF) and graduate student entrepreneurs. Accelerate Entrepreneur funds student entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their business when hosted by an incubator facility. This helps student entrepreneurs to take real, meaningful advantage of the supports provided by the incubator, with the goal of commercializing the technology, product, or service rapidly. In a nutshell, they get paid to grow their company and get to market faster.

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.

LiONʼS LAIR is an annual competition presented by Innovation Factory in partnership with the City of Hamilton Economic Development office, which brings together the entrepreneurship and innovation community in Hamilton. The competition gives up-and-coming entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of Hamilton’s top business experts for a chance to win cash prizes.

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.

A 10-week program for entrepreneurs who want to validate a tech startup idea and establish a solid foundation to build their business on.

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

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 – Launch Stream provides a conditional contribution of up to 50% of total eligible project costs to a maximum of $200,000 for businesses starting-up operations in Northern Ontario.

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 Immigrant Founder Launchpad is a collaboration between Invest Ottawa and Maple Bridge Ventures.
The Immigrant Founder Launchpad will prepare first-generation immigrant tech founders to raise investment.

In five weeks, we will cover topics like developing your financing strategy, achieving and demonstrating traction, and perfecting your pitch. Most importantly, the program will open doors by providing exclusive networking opportunities and warm introductions to potential funders.

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.

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 agriculture and food industry startups and to agriculture, agribusiness or food and beverage-related business that were established within the past three years.

This 5-week introductory program aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to start a business. The program is open to individuals who have an idea but have not registered a business and want to journey from uncertainty to entrepreneurial readiness.

This bootcamp is designed for early-stage startups designing a solution to tackle challenges in the healthcare industry. In just five weeks, we will cover a variety of topics including data protection and privacy regulations, selling into health care institutions and hospitals, legal and IP strategies, regulatory landscape, investments, and US vs. Canadian markets. Our goal is to bring together experienced founders, industry experts and healthcare professionals. Most importantly, it will provide the critical knowledge and connections to push the startup forward.

Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre staff can provide one-on-one consultations, including a free review of your business plan.

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.

Communitech’s Startup Programming is built to help tech leaders at every stage—whether you’re just coming up with an idea, refining it or gaining early traction, we’ve got your back! Get access to expert mentorship, funding opportunities, and the right connections to accelerate growth. From tailored workshops to hands-on coaching, we provide the support, structure, and community you need to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses.

The Innovative Solutions Canada is a program for Canadian innovators who want to go into business, grow their companies and bring their innovations to market. It provides funding for research and development and allows prototypes to be tested in an operational setting.

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.

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.

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

Young businesses need the right financing and the right partners to succeed. Our experts provide advice to help guide you as you take your business to the next level and up to $250,000 to get you there.

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.

The Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (the Initiative) provides funding to organizations to support underrepresented groups in starting or growing their own business in the agri-food sector.

This program promotes entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities and seeks to increase the number of viable Indigenous-owned businesses. The program has 2 components: access to capital and business opportunities.
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital provides Indigenous businesses with access to non-repayable contributions of up to $99,999 for: supporting eligible business proposals and leveraging additional funds.