Manufacturing Business Grants: 51 Funding Programs Currently Available
If you’re looking for manufacturing business grants, you’re in the right place!
Because we have the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide on grants and other types of funding for entrepreneurs running manufacturing businesses.
In this guide you’ll learn what’s available, eligibility requirements, how much you can get, and much more!
What Can Manufacturing Business Grants Be Used For?
Manufacturing business grants can be used to pay for many aspects of starting or running a business. Here are some of the uses that are covered by programs in our grants database:
See the section below with a complete list of grants available for manufacturing business.
How Much Grant Money Can I Get for My Manufacturing Business?
In our database we currently have grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.
Am I Eligible for a Manufacturing Business Grant? Common Eligibility Criteria
Two of the most common questions we get asked at Ontario Business Grants are “Am I eligible?” and “How do I qualify?”.
We analyzed the manufacturing business grants in our grants database, and these are the most common qualifications we identified:
Note: these are just the most common eligibility criteria – there are many grants with different requirements.
Manufacturing Business Grants for Ontario: Current Grants Available
In the table below we list the grants currently available to Ontario manufacturing businesses.
To learn more about each program, just click the program name and you’ll be taken to a web page that provides detailed information on the program, including eligibility, the dollar amount of the program, and how to apply for the grant:
Grants for Ontario Manufacturing Businesses
Other Types of Funding for Manufacturing Businesses
Our goal is for this guide to be a complete source of funding information for Aboriginal businesses. So, in this section you’ll find all the other money programs (besides grants) that are available to Manufacturing businesses:
Loans for Manufacturing Businesses
A loan might not sound as good as a grant, but many loans for Manufacturingbusinesses have a low interest rate. While they might not be free money, if you don’t qualify for a grant, a low-interest loan is probably the next best thing.
The programs below include government loans:
Government Loans for Manufacturing Businesses
If you’re not eligible for a government loan, you might consider one of the commercial loans available for Manufacturing entrepreneurs. Although no bank on our list provides financial products especially for manufacturing businesses, many of their products are a good fit for your business. As such, below is a sample of current loan programs offered by Canadian banks and credit unions that are a good fit for Manufacturing businesses:
A tax credit reduces the tax that a business pays on its taxable income.
There are a handful of tax credits available for Manufacturing businesses:
Tax Credits for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Full Expensing for Manufacturers and Processors | no fixed amount | Tax Credit |
A rebate is a partial refund made to a business by a government, utility company, etc. Common rebates include tax rebates, energy rebates, etc.
In the table below you’ll find rebates currently available for Ontario Manufacturing businesses:
Rebates for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Ministry of Northern Development - Northern Energy Advantage Program | no fixed amount | Rebate |
A subsidy is a type of financial assistance usually provided by the government in order to promote a social good or an economic policy. Wage subsidies are the most common subsidies.
In the table below you’ll find the subsidies currently available for Manufacturing businesses:
Subsidies for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Career Launcher Digital Tech Internships (2022) | $28000.00 | Wage Subsidy |
| Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities (2022) | $5000 | Grant |
| Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) – WILWorks | $7000 | Subsidy |
Investment is a form of financing where capital is provided in exchange of ownership in the company. It is an alternative to conventional methods of raising capital (loans, issuing stocks, selling bonds) and the good thing about it is that you do not have to make monthly payments. Common investment includes private equity and venture capital. Here are some investment programs currently available for Manufacturing businesses:
Investment for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| District Ventures Capital - Venture Capital Funding | no fixed amount | Investment |
| Ontario Center of Innovation - Ready 4 Market | $250000 | Investment |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Growth Venture Co-investment Fund | no fixed amount | Investment |
| Georgian Angel Network - GAN Xcelerate Fund | $30000 | Investment |
| ArchAngel Network - StarForge fund | no fixed amount | Investment |
| ArchAngel Network - Axion FundArch | no fixed amount | In-Kind Support, Investment |
| Creative Destruction Lab (2022) | No Fixed Amount | Investment |
Competition usually refers to pitch competition, a contest where entrepreneurs give a pitch (a short and compelling presentation of their business concept) to a panel in the hope of winning a cash prize or investment capital.
Here are the competitions currently available for Manufacturing Businesses:
Competitions for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ventureLAB - HardTech Pitch Competition | $50000 | Competition, In-Kind Support |
| Haltech Regional Innovation Centre – Hi5 Pitch Competition | $ 5000.00 | Competition |
| Innovation Factory – LiONʼS LAIR (2022) | No Fixed Amount | Grant |
In-kind support refers to non-cash resources provided to support businesses. In kind-support can take various forms: access to coaching, mentorship, investors, logistical and technical resources (space, equipment, computers, internet and software, free testbed), training programs, business advice and counseling. Entrepreneurship centres, accelerators and incubators provide valuable in-kind support to new and existing entrepreneurs.
Accelerators for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ventureLAB – Accelerated Growth Program | Not Applicable | Accelerator |
| ventureLAB – Pre-Accelerator Support Program | Not Applicable | Accelerator |
| Innovation Guelph - Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad Activate Circular Accelerator | $30000 | Accelerator, Grant, Loan |
| Leap Junction – LeapIN Business Accelerator | $5000.00 | Accelerator, Grant |
Other In-Kind Support Programs for Manufacturing Businesses
| Name of Program | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ventureLAB - HardTech Pitch Competition | $50000 | Competition, In-Kind Support |
| Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) – ProtoZone Program | $ 5000.00 | Grant, In-Kind Support |
| Haltech Regional Innovation Centre – ““Start Me Up!” | Not Applicable | In-Kind Support |
| ArchAngel Network - Axion FundArch | no fixed amount | In-Kind Support, Investment |
| Altitude Accelerator – RevUP | Not Applicable | In-Kind Support |
| Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) (formerly NWOIC) – Kenora and Rainy River District Business Accelerator Fund | $5000 | Investment |
Best Manufacturing Business Grants, Loans & More
While there are lots of good programs available, below we highlight some of the best grants, loans, tax credits & more for Manufacturing businesses:
Best Government Grants for Manufacturing Businesses
National Research Council of Canada (NRC) – Cluster Support Programs
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched the Global Innovation Clusters to support business-led innovation and large-scale collaboration among industry leaders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and post‑secondary institutions, to develop and scale high-potential technologies in advanced manufacturing, agri‑food, clean technology, digital technology, health, bioscience and clean resources, infrastructure and transportation.
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade – Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream
The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. It will provide investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development.
Best Government Loan for Manufacturing Businesses
FedNor – Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario: Productivity Improvements under Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program (REGI)
Through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, FedNor provides repayable assistance to existing Northern Ontario manufacturers to upgrade and improve capital equipment used in manufacturing processes, including information and communications technology, to improve their competitiveness and productivity.
Best Tax Credit for Manufacturing Businesses
Canada Revenue Agency – Full Expensing for Manufacturers and Processors
The Full Expensing for Manufacturers and Processors allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of machinery and equipment used for the manufacturing or processing of goods, subject to the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) rules.
Best Government Rebate for Ontario Manufacturing Businesses
Ministry of Northern Development – Northern Energy Advantage Program
The Northern Energy Advantage Program (NEAP) supports Northern Ontario’s largest industrial electricity consumers with competitive, stable and predictable electricity price rates. The program helps them improve their competitiveness and their ability to secure investments, while continuing to create and sustain good jobs in Northern Ontario.
Best Government Investment for Manufacturing Businesses
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – Growth Venture Co-investment Fund
The $300 million Growth Venture Co-Investment Fund 2 targets late-stage innovation-based businesses that are at an inflection point and show strong potential for meaningful scale.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – Industrial Innovation Venture Fund
The 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 fund support innovation-oriented Canadian companies with next-generation solutions for strategic industries including:
Best Non-profit Grants for Manufacturing Businesses
MaRS Discovery District – The Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)
The Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) provides up to $500,000 in seed funding to qualified emerging companies in Ontario to support the launch and development of innovative companies in Ontario’s priority sectors of advanced materials and manufacturing, information technology, cleantech and life sciences.
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) – Supercluster Projects
NGen Supercluster Projects provides funding for lead or partner in transformative manufacturing and technology projects that will leave a lasting legacy for Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) – Cluster Building Projects
The objective of a Cluster Building Project is to support a group of Canadian for-profit SMEs to work together to within an industry-lead membership-based organization to enhance the capabilities and growth of those organizations through the application of, or access to, advanced manufacturing technologies, best practices, global benchmarks, workforce development, enhanced training and/or market expansion.
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) (formerly NWOIC) – Next Level Program
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.
Best Non-profit Loans for Manufacturing Businesses
Community Futures Oxford – Sand Plains Community Development Fund
The Sand Plains Community Development Fund provides loans of up to $250,000 to new or existing businesses in Oxford County. The goal of this Fund is to foster entrepreneurship in the region by increasing the availability of patient capital for small business start-ups and expansions in priority sectors. Patient capital provides flexible repayment terms, negotiated to encourage the long-term viability of the borrower.
Loans can be used for the following:
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (Northumberland CFDC) – DELIA
DELIA is an automated lending platform for women-owned and women-led innovation-driven enterprises located anywhere in Southern Ontario. Fast forward to today, with the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED Canada), DELIA is now available across all of Canada.
Best Non-profit Subsidies for Manufacturing Businesses
Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA) – Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities
The Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program provides non-repayable contributions to eligible employers to subsidize the wages of new hires or the upskilling of existing employees that meet the program eligibility. Funding is 50% of wages paid to a maximum of $5,000 for each experiential work placement.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) – WILWorks
WILWorks will provide value to manufacturing employers by providing wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements.
Best Non-profit Investment for Manufacturing Businesses
ArchAngel Network – StarForge Fund
The StarForge fund invests in innovative, early-stage B2B Canadian companies with disruptive technologies, significant scale-up potential, and valuation advantages over the U.S. market. The fund aims to drive returns for investors through actively sourcing deals mostly within the Toronto-Waterloo start-up ecosystem and growing portfolio businesses by leveraging the power of alliance networks in North America.
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) – Ready 4 Market (R4M)
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.
Best Non-profit Competitions for Manufacturing Businesses
Innovation Factory – LiONʼS LAIR
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.
ventureLAB – HardTech Pitch Competition
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!
Best Private Organization Investment for Manufacturing Businesses
District Ventures Capital – Venture Capital Funding
District Ventures Capital is a venture capital fund investing in innovative companies in the food & beverage and health & wellness sectors.
Round13 Capital – Round13 Capital
Round13 Growth invests in growth opportunities including those in technology and healthcare, as well as more traditional industries where there is an opportunity for technology enablement. They focus solely on Canadian based growth companies where their knowledge, experience and relationships can be utilized to help drive growth and to positively and actively influence outcomes. They help to bridge the late-stage growth funding gap in Canada between traditional venture capital and public market investors.
Best In-kind Support Programs for Manufacturing Businesses
Have a look at the in-kind support programs below! Some of them provide both in-kind support and funding for your Manufacturing business.
Accelerators
Innovation Guelph – Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) Activate Circular Accelerator
The COIL Activate Circular Accelerator helps scalable businesses reach new markets through circular knowledge and practices.
ventureLAB – Accelerated Growth Program
The Accelerated Growth Program is a six-month incubation program for companies who have launched their product or are in-market. Our hands-on advisory services and tailored programming will help accelerate your company’s growth while also offering you the tools and resources to build sustainably.
Other In-kind Support Programs
Altitude Accelerator – RevUP
RevUP is a self-directed learning module for early-stage startup founders who are looking to test their new business idea – from problem identification to market sizing, customer persona development, competitive analysis, and more.
Haltech Regional Innovation Centre – “Start Me Up!”
“Start Me Up!” is a 2-part workshop featuring 10 modules designed to help early-stage start-ups progress through the Idea, Discovery and Validation stages, and to assist latter-stage start-ups review their core business frameworks. This on-demand learning program takes early-stage start-ups through the process of building a successful business foundation.
