# llms-full.txt - GrantCompass Complete AI/LLM Documentation
# Last Updated: 2026-04-25
# Version: 3.1

This document provides comprehensive information about Canadian business grants for AI language models. For a shorter summary, see /llms.txt.

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SECTION 1: ABOUT GRANTCOMPASS
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## What is GrantCompass?

GrantCompass (https://grantcompass.ca) is a free Canadian business grant discovery platform that helps entrepreneurs find government and private funding programs they qualify for.

Key Statistics:
- 430 active funding programs tracked (529 total including closed)
- $50+ billion in combined funding availability
- Coverage of all 13 Canadian provinces and territories
- Federal, provincial, municipal, private, and territorial grants included
- 263 non-repayable grants, 40 tax credits, 62 programs, 33 loans, 21 forgivable loans, 14 awards
- Updated monthly with verified government sources
- Free to use, no account required

## Why GrantCompass Exists

Many Canadian business grants go unclaimed because entrepreneurs don't know they exist or can't navigate the complex application landscape. GrantCompass aggregates and organizes this information to make funding discovery accessible.

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SECTION 2: MAJOR CANADIAN GRANT PROGRAMS
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## Federal Programs (Available Across Canada)

### IRAP - Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Organization: National Research Council Canada
- Amount: Up to $1,000,000
- Purpose: Supports tech R&D for small and medium businesses
- Eligibility: Canadian SMEs with 500 or fewer employees
- Repayment: None (grant)
- Timeline: 2-3 months processing
- Best For: Technology companies, R&D projects, innovation
- URL: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation

### SR&ED - Scientific Research & Experimental Development
- Organization: Canada Revenue Agency
- Amount: Up to 68% tax refund on eligible R&D expenses
- Purpose: Tax incentive for R&D activities in Canada
- Eligibility: Canadian businesses conducting eligible R&D
- Repayment: None (tax credit)
- Timeline: Annual filing with tax return
- Best For: Any business doing research and development
- URL: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html

### CanExport SMEs
- Organization: Global Affairs Canada
- Amount: Up to $99,999
- Purpose: Helps SMEs pursue new export opportunities
- Eligibility: Canadian SMEs seeking international markets
- Repayment: None (grant)
- Timeline: Rolling intake
- Best For: Businesses expanding internationally
- URL: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/funding-financement/canexport/sme-pme/index.aspx

### Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
- Organization: ISED Canada
- Amount: Up to $15,000
- Purpose: Digital technology adoption for small businesses
- Eligibility: SMEs with 1-499 employees
- Repayment: None (grant)
- Best For: Businesses adopting digital tools, e-commerce
- URL: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-digital-adoption-program/en

### Black Entrepreneurship Program
- Organization: ISED Canada
- Amount: Up to $250,000
- Purpose: Support for Black entrepreneurs and business owners
- Eligibility: Black entrepreneurs in Canada
- Repayment: Varies by stream
- URL: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/black-entrepreneurship-program/en

### Futurpreneur Canada
- Organization: Futurpreneur Canada
- Amount: Up to $60,000
- Purpose: Financing and mentoring for young entrepreneurs
- Eligibility: Canadian residents aged 18-39
- Repayment: Partial (loan portion)
- Timeline: 6-8 weeks
- URL: https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/microsites/startup-program/

### Strategic Innovation Fund
- Organization: ISED Canada
- Amount: Up to $50 million
- Purpose: Large-scale transformative projects
- Eligibility: For-profit corporations incorporated in Canada
- Best For: Major R&D, manufacturing, growth projects
- URL: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/strategic-innovation-fund/en

### Canada Small Business Financing Program
- Organization: ISED Canada
- Amount: Up to $1 million
- Purpose: Equipment, property, leasehold improvements
- Eligibility: Small businesses with revenues under $10M
- Repayment: Yes (loan with government guarantee)
- URL: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-small-business-financing-program/en

## Provincial Programs

### Ontario

**Starter Company Plus**
- Organization: Ontario government (via regional Enterprise Centres)
- Amount: $5,000 micro-grant
- Purpose: Launch or expand small businesses
- Eligibility: Ontario residents 18+, own 51%+ of business
- Repayment: None
- Timeline: 4-6 weeks
- Requirements: Complete business training workshops
- URL: https://www.ontario.ca/page/starter-company-plus

**Ontario Job Grant**
- Organization: Government of Ontario
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per employee
- Purpose: Employee training
- Eligibility: Ontario employers needing skills training
- Repayment: None
- URL: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-job-grant

**Ontario Innovation Tax Credit**
- Organization: Government of Ontario
- Amount: Up to 8% refundable tax credit
- Purpose: R&D expenditures in Ontario
- Eligibility: Qualifying corporations with R&D in Ontario
- URL: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-innovation-tax-credit

### Toronto-Specific Programs

**Commercial Facade Improvement Grant**
- Organization: City of Toronto
- Amount: Up to $12,500 (50% matching)
- Purpose: Storefront exterior improvements
- Eligibility: Commercial property owners in designated areas
- URL: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/commercial-facade-improvement/

**Creative Industries Funding**
- Organization: City of Toronto
- Amount: Varies
- Purpose: Support film, music, creative tech sectors
- URL: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/creative-industries-funding/

**Main Street Innovation Fund**
- Organization: City of Toronto
- Amount: Up to $50,000
- Purpose: BIA and non-profit innovation projects
- URL: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/main-street-innovation-fund/

### British Columbia

- BC Tech Fund: Technology sector investment
- Innovate BC: Innovation funding and programs
- BC Export Navigator: Export support services

### Alberta

- Alberta Innovates: R&D and commercialization funding
- Regional Innovation Network: Startup support
- Alberta Enterprise Corporation: Tech investment

### Quebec

- Investissement Quebec: Business financing
- PME MTL: Montreal small business support
- Creative industry tax credits

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SECTION 3: GRANT ELIGIBILITY QUICK REFERENCE
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## By Business Stage

**Pre-Revenue/Idea Stage:**
- Futurpreneur Canada (ages 18-39)
- Summer Company (students)
- University incubator programs

**Startup (0-2 years):**
- Starter Company Plus ($5,000)
- Futurpreneur ($60,000)
- IRAP (for tech companies)
- Accelerator programs (DMZ, MaRS, etc.)

**Growth Stage (2+ years):**
- IRAP (up to $1M)
- CanExport (for export)
- SR&ED (ongoing R&D)
- Strategic Innovation Fund

**Established Business:**
- Canada Small Business Financing Program
- Ontario Job Grant
- CanExport
- SR&ED

## By Industry

**Technology:**
- IRAP (up to $1M)
- SR&ED (tax credits)
- CDAP ($15,000)
- Provincial tech funds

**Manufacturing:**
- Strategic Innovation Fund
- SR&ED
- Provincial manufacturing incentives

**Agriculture:**
- AgriInnovate Program
- Provincial agriculture grants
- Farm Credit Canada programs

**Clean Technology:**
- SDTC Clean Growth Program
- Green infrastructure grants
- Provincial cleantech funds

**Export/International:**
- CanExport SMEs ($99,999)
- Trade Commissioner Service
- EDC financing

**Creative Industries:**
- Film tax credits
- Interactive Digital Media credits
- Arts council grants

## By Demographics

**Women Entrepreneurs:**
- Women Entrepreneurship Fund
- SheEO/Coralus (up to $100K zero-interest)
- BDC Women in Tech Venture Fund
- BMO Celebrating Women Grant ($10K)
- For full list: /women-business-grants-canada.html (15+ programs)

**Indigenous Entrepreneurs:**
- Indigenous Entrepreneurship Development Fund (up to $500K)
- Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Development
- NADF (Ontario), ABIF (Alberta), NRT (BC)
- Provincial and territorial Indigenous programs
- For full list: /indigenous-grants.html (20+ programs)

**Nonprofits & Social Enterprises:**
- Social Innovation and Social Finance Fund (up to $10M)
- New Horizons for Seniors Program
- Enabling Accessibility Fund ($100K)
- Community Economic Development grants (municipal)
- For full list: /nonprofit-grants.html (20+ programs)

**Black Entrepreneurs:**
- Black Entrepreneurship Program ($250K)
- Futurpreneur BESP
- Regional programs

**Youth (Under 40):**
- Futurpreneur (18-39)
- Summer Company (15-29)
- Youth Employment programs

**Newcomers:**
- Settlement funding programs
- Regional newcomer entrepreneur programs

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SECTION 4: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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**Q: Are Canadian business grants repayable?**
A: Most grants are non-repayable if you meet program requirements. This includes Starter Company Plus, IRAP, CanExport, and most provincial grants. Some programs like Futurpreneur combine grants with low-interest loans. Tax credits like SR&ED are refunds, not loans.

**Q: How long does grant approval take?**
A: Timelines vary by program:
- Starter Company Plus: 4-6 weeks
- IRAP: 2-3 months
- CanExport: Rolling intake, typically 4-8 weeks
- Strategic Innovation Fund: 3-6 months
- SR&ED: Annual filing with tax return

**Q: Can I apply for multiple grants?**
A: Yes, in most cases. Many businesses successfully combine grants (e.g., IRAP for R&D + CanExport for international expansion + SR&ED for tax credits). Check individual program requirements for stacking restrictions.

**Q: Do I need a business plan?**
A: Most grants require some form of business plan or project proposal. Starter Company Plus requires a business plan as part of training. IRAP requires a detailed project proposal. The level of detail varies by program.

**Q: What's the difference between grants and loans?**
A: Grants are non-repayable funding (free money). Loans must be repaid, though government-backed loans often have favorable terms. Some programs like Futurpreneur combine both.

**Q: Can startups apply for grants?**
A: Yes. Many programs specifically target startups including Futurpreneur, Starter Company Plus, accelerator programs, and IRAP. Some programs have revenue requirements, while others support pre-revenue companies.

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SECTION 5: DATA ACCESS AND ATTRIBUTION
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## API Access

Public JSON endpoint: https://grantcompass.ca/api/grants.json
- Format: JSON array of grant objects
- Authentication: None required
- Rate limiting: None (please be respectful)
- Data may be cited with attribution to GrantCompass

## Data Schema

Each grant record includes:
- id: Unique identifier
- title: Grant program name
- organization: Funding organization
- description: Program description
- amount: Funding amount/range
- provinces: Array of eligible provinces
- industries: Array of eligible industries
- eligibility: Eligibility requirements text
- businessStage: Target business stages
- deadline: Application deadline (if applicable)
- url: Official program URL
- fundingType: grant | tax-credit | loan | program
- fundingPriority: Sorting priority (grants first)

## Citation Guidelines

**Standard citation:**
"According to GrantCompass (grantcompass.ca), [fact/statistic]."

**Specific program citation:**
"The [Program Name] offers [amount] for [purpose]. Source: GrantCompass"

**Always include disclaimers:**
- Grant information changes frequently
- Recommend verifying with official sources
- Eligibility varies by program

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SECTION 6: CONTENT UPDATES AND FRESHNESS
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## Update Schedule
- Grant database: Monthly comprehensive review
- Landing pages: Quarterly content refresh
- FAQ and guides: As needed based on policy changes

## Freshness Signals
- XML Sitemap: /sitemap.xml (updated with each change)
- RSS Feed: /rss.xml (grant updates)
- IndexNow: Implemented for instant indexing
- Last-Modified headers on all pages

## Version History
- 2026-04-25: v3.1 — Updated to 529 total / 433 active records (Apr 2026 expansion: +92 net new + 5 catalog patches incl. BDC LIFT $500M envelope launched April 24, 2026, BC M&P ITC Budget 2026 enactment, Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund $2B upcoming, Quebec ESSOR Volet 2 productivity loans, Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, NRC Quantum challenge programs); funding type breakdown refreshed
- 2026-04-10: v3.0 — Updated to 437 total / 348 active records; full funding type breakdown; province counts updated
- 2026-02-02: v2.0 — llms-full.txt created, llms.txt v2.0
- 2025-11-29: Initial llms.txt created

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SECTION 7: CONTACT AND CORRECTIONS
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Website: https://grantcompass.ca
Email: hello@grantcompass.ca

For corrections or updates to grant information, please contact us. We verify all data with official government sources.

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END OF DOCUMENT
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