Available Grants in Ontario

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Showing 20 of 89 grants available in Ontario
Strategic Innovation Fund

Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Amount: Up to $50 million

Supports large-scale, transformative and collaborative projects between industry, researchers and non-profit organizations that help grow Canada's economy.

Eligibility: For-profit corporations incorporated in Canada

innovation manufacturing technology
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Black Entrepreneurship Program

Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Amount: Up to $250,000

Provides financing and support to Black entrepreneurs and business owners to start and scale their businesses.

Eligibility: Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada

all industries
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Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)

Organization: Canada Revenue Agency

Amount: Up to 68% tax credit

Federal tax incentive program that encourages Canadian businesses to conduct research and development in Canada.

Eligibility: Canadian businesses conducting eligible R&D activities

technology tax credit R&D
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Canada Small Business Financing Program

Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Amount: Up to $1 million

Helps small businesses get loans by encouraging financial institutions to provide financing for small business loans.

Eligibility: Small businesses with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less

all industries loan
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Clean Growth Program

Organization: Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Amount: Up to $10 million

Supports the development and demonstration of clean technology solutions that address climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil.

Eligibility: Canadian companies developing clean technologies

clean-tech environmental energy
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CanExport SMEs

Organization: Global Affairs Canada

Amount: Up to $99,999

Helps small and medium-sized enterprises pursue new export opportunities and markets.

Eligibility: Canadian SMEs seeking to develop export markets

export international
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Youth Employment and Skills Program

Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada

Amount: Up to $25,000

Helps employers create quality work experiences for youth while addressing their human resource needs.

Eligibility: Employers hiring youth aged 15-30

youth employment
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Innovative Solutions Canada

Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Amount: Up to $1 million

Helps Canadian entrepreneurs bring their innovations to market by connecting them with federal departments and agencies that have a challenge to solve.

Eligibility: Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises

technology innovation
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AgriInnovate Program

Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Amount: Up to $10 million

Supports the development and commercialization of innovative agri-food products, technologies, processes or services.

Eligibility: For-profit organizations in the agriculture and agri-food sector

agriculture food innovation
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Ontario Job Grant

Organization: Government of Ontario

Amount: Up to $10,000 per employee

Provides direct funding to employers to train their employees. Employers can receive up to $10,000 per person for training costs.

Eligibility: Ontario employers with employees requiring skills training

Provincial training
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Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

Organization: Government of Ontario

Amount: Up to 8% tax credit

Refundable tax credit for eligible R&D expenditures incurred in Ontario by qualifying corporations.

Eligibility: Qualifying corporations conducting R&D in Ontario

Provincial tax credit R&D
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Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program

Organization: City of Toronto

Amount: Up to $12,500 (50% of costs)

Provides matching grants to commercial property owners for facade improvements to street-facing commercial buildings.

Eligibility: Commercial property owners or tenants in Toronto (in eligible areas)

Municipal retail commercial
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Creative Industries Funding

Organization: City of Toronto

Amount: Varies by program

Supports programs and events that foster entrepreneurship in film, music, and creative technology sectors through grants and sponsorships.

Eligibility: Creative industry organizations and initiatives in Toronto

Municipal creative film
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Main Street Innovation Fund

Organization: City of Toronto

Amount: Up to $50,000

Supports innovative and revitalization projects for main street business areas through grants to Business Improvement Areas and non-profits.

Eligibility: BIAs and not-for-profit business organizations in Toronto

Municipal innovation community
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Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program

Organization: Futurpreneur Canada

Amount: Up to $60,000

Provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 to launch their businesses.

Eligibility: Canadian residents aged 18-39 starting a business

Federal youth startup
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Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program

Organization: Futurpreneur Canada

Amount: Up to $60,000

Provides financing, mentoring and culturally relevant support to Black entrepreneurs aged 18-39.

Eligibility: Black Canadian residents aged 18-39 starting a business

Federal startup
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Showing 20 of 89 grants available in Ontario

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Top Ontario Small Business Grants Comparison (2026)

Program Amount Best For Repayment Timeline
Starter Company Plus $5,000 New entrepreneurs None 4-6 weeks
IRAP Up to $1M Tech R&D None 2-3 months
SR&ED Tax Credit Up to 68% R&D activities Tax credit Annual
Futurpreneur Up to $60K Ages 18-39 Partial 6-8 weeks
CanExport SMEs Up to $99,999 Export expansion None Rolling
Ontario Job Grant $10K/employee Employee training None Ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Small Business Grants

What Ontario grants are available for small businesses in 2026? +
Ontario offers 89 grants for small businesses including Starter Company Plus ($5,000), Summer Company for students, IEDF for Indigenous entrepreneurs (up to $500K), and federal programs like IRAP (up to $1M). Many programs require no repayment. The most popular programs are Starter Company Plus for new businesses and IRAP for technology companies.
How much money can I get from Ontario business grants? +
Ontario grant amounts range from $5,000 to over $1 million. Popular programs include: Starter Company Plus ($5K), Futurpreneur ($60K), Main Street Innovation Fund ($50K), and IRAP (up to $1M). The Strategic Innovation Fund can provide up to $50 million for large transformative projects. Most small businesses qualify for programs in the $5,000-$100,000 range.
Am I eligible for Ontario small business grants? +
Eligibility varies by program. Generally you need: Ontario business registration, Canadian citizenship/permanent residency, viable business plan, and meet specific program criteria. Some programs target startups, others established businesses, women, Indigenous, or youth entrepreneurs. Starter Company Plus requires you to be 18+ and own at least 51% of the business. IRAP requires less than 500 employees.
Do I have to pay back Ontario business grants? +
Most Ontario grants are non-repayable if you meet program requirements. This includes Starter Company Plus, Summer Company, and many federal grants. However, some programs like Futurpreneur combine grants with loans, or offer "forgivable loans" that become grants if conditions are met. Tax credits like SR&ED are refunds, not loans. Always check specific terms before applying.
How long does it take to get approved for Ontario grants? +
Processing times vary: Starter Company Plus takes 4-6 weeks, IRAP can take 2-3 months, federal programs may take 3-6 months. Submit applications early as many programs have limited funding and operate on first-come basis. The Ontario Job Grant processes applications on a rolling basis, typically within 4 weeks.

Summary: Ontario Small Business Grants in 2026

Ontario offers 89 government grant programs for small businesses in 2026, with funding ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million. The most accessible program is Starter Company Plus, providing $5,000 non-repayable grants to new entrepreneurs through local Small Business Enterprise Centres. For technology companies, the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) from the National Research Council offers up to $1 million for R&D projects. The SR&ED tax credit returns up to 68% of eligible research expenses. Federal programs like CanExport (up to $99,999 for export activities) and the Canada Digital Adoption Program (up to $15,000 for digital transformation) are also available to Ontario businesses. Toronto businesses can also access city-specific grants including the Commercial Facade Improvement Grant (up to $12,500) and Main Street Innovation Fund (up to $50,000). Most grants require no repayment, though some programs like Futurpreneur combine grants with low-interest loans. Application processing typically takes 4-12 weeks depending on the program. Source: GrantCompass.ca, updated February 2026.

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