Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade: Funding Guide for Business Owners
This guide for business owners covers current Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade funding programs, including loans, grants, and other types of financing for entrepreneurs.
This is our dedicated “hub” page for Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade funding programs. We’ll continuously update this page to reflect changes in programs – so bookmark this page and check back often for updates!
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Mandate
The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade remains committed to protecting existing jobs, creating new employment opportunities, and fostering a resilient competitive economy that is innovation driven. Specifically, MEDJCT is focused on supporting economic growth by focusing on the growth small and medium sized businesses, facilitating growth across sectors and regions, driving innovation, unlocking trade and investment opportunities, and enabling red tape and burden reduction.
By collaborating with partners both within and outside the ministry, the mandate to protect and grow jobs while accelerating the province’s economic competitiveness remains strong and resolute. The ministry supports entrepreneurship and business growth through its support for the 17 Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) across the province focussed on innovative entrepreneurs and for the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).
The Ministry seeks to drive economic growth in Ontario across five priority areas:
- Growing small and medium businesses,
- Facilitating growth across sectors and regions,
- Driving innovation,
- Unlocking trade and investment opportunities, and
- Ensuring red tape and burden reduction.
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Priorities
The Ministry’s key priorities include:
You can learn about the Ministry’s priorities by reading its latest Published Plans.
Types of Funding Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Offers
The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade offers loans, grants and more.
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Funding Programs
Below are links to the Ministry’s specific programs:
- Eastern Ontario Development Fund:
- Business projects
- Southwestern Ontario Development Fund:
- Business projects
- Summer company – program for student entrepreneurs
- Starter Company Plus
Both programs are delivered by the province’s Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC). Click here to find your nearest SBEC.
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Contact
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
College Park
777 Bay Street, 18th floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2N4
Tel: 416-326-8475
TTY: 416-325-3408
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
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