Funding Programs and Incentives

Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness

Announced in January 2022, this is a two-year, $40-million investment to support innovation and growth and secure high-skill, well-paid jobs. The AMIC program is a new stream of the Regional Development Program (RDP) designed to help companies get the tools, technology and talent they need to grow, compete and innovate in an increasingly competitive global market. 

• minimum of 10 employees
• three or more years of financial statements, and
• minimum of $500,000 in eligible project costs.

 Application period: February 1 - March 16, 2023.

Learn more on the provincial government webpage.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W)

 The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a Designated Red Seal Trade where women are underrepresented.

• The AIG-W is a taxable grant worth $3,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices
• You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG‑W
• You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $6,000)
• You can apply for your second AIG-W after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training

NOTE: The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women pilot project will end March 31, 2023. Applications will not be accepted after this date.

For more information visit the program webpage. 

Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP)

The BEP is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. With an investment of up to $265-million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.

For more information visit the program webpage. 

Business Scale-up and Productivity 

Funding under this stream helps to accelerate the growth of firms and assist with the adoption of new, innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity, and the development of and entry into new markets to help companies become globally competitive.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact FedDev Ontario prior to submitting an application for funding through the website.

For more information visit the program webpage. 

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) - Grow Your Business Online

Canada Digital Adoption Program - Grow Your Business Online

As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with four organizations to provide the ‘Grow Your Business Online’ grant to small businesses across the Ontario.

Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting e-commerce and supported by a network of e-commerce advisors.

Applications can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:

• Is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
• Is a registered or incorporated business
• Is a consumer-facing business
• Can be accessed by consumers or provides in-person services to consumers
• Has at least one employee

Where to Apply?

 For businesses in Gananoque, Kingston and surrounding areas (Lennox and Addington, Frontenac County)

• Kingston Economic Development Corporation

 For Aboriginal businesses

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses

 All other businesses

• Digital Main Street  OR Ontario Chamber of Commerce

For more information on the Canadian Digital Adoption Program visit the website. 

Canada Digital Adoption Program - Boost Your Business Technology Grant

This grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies.

Eligible businesses will have access to a marketplace of digital adoption experts to help them develop a digital adoption plan tailored to their needs.

Eligible businesses can leverage the grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor. These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies that will help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy.

The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan.

Eligibility:

Before applying, your business must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Be incorporated federally or provincially, or be a Canadian resident sole proprietor
• Be a for-profit, privately owned business
• Have between 1 – 499 full time equivalent employees
• Have at least $500,000 of annual revenues in one of the previous three tax years

For more information, visit the program webpage. 

CanExport for Businesses (SMEs)

Small- and medium-sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. The CanExport SME program covers up to 50% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales.

CanExport SMEs is now accepting new applications for projects starting in fiscal year 2022-2023, i.e. after April 1, 2022

For more information visit the program webpage.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership

This is designed for producers, processors and ag-related businesses. Farmers and Businesses can again apply for support under the Partnership for projects to boost innovation, economic development, environmental stewardship and food safety. Learn more on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership webpage.

DELIA Microloan for Women-Owned Business

DELIA offers $15,000 microloans to Women-owned businesses in Canada with an attractive term sheet, and prioritizes diverse, intersectional and under-served Women.

Successful DELIA applicants will be contacted by a member of the DELIA team who will organize an onboarding and orientation session.

Select DELIA loan recipients may benefit from additional 1:1 mentoring and support including business advisory, networking and referrals, group-based training and workshops and other supports.

Click here for more information (https://ncfdc.ca/delia/) 

Digital Transformation Grant

• Open to small businesses registered in Ontario and/or is incorporated with a brick-and-mortar location and 1-50 employees including those in shopping malls
• $2,500 grant to assist with technology adaptation, including training and advisory support
• Businesses who have previously received this funding are not eligible
• Application period is now closed.  Digital Service Consultations still available. For assistance see the Digital Services webpage.

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario.

• funding support
• complementary services and support

• create jobs and build talent
• attract and encourage private sector investment
• lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
• encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development

EDC Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Sized Businesses

• EDC guarantees a new one-year term or operating line of credit for 80% of its value, up to $6.25M allowing businesses to deal with payroll and operating cost issues and enabling their financial institution to take on less risk. Available for all Canadian companies, including non-exporting businesses that sell domestically.
• Apply now.

FedDev Ontario - Investing in Business Innovation Guidelines

Investing in Business programs, which provides funding to boost private sector investment in start-up businesses to accelerate the development of new products, processes and practices and bring them to the market, is found on this page.

Learn more.  Read More.

Futurpreneur Canada

• Financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 to launch successful businesses across Canada.
• Up to $60,000 in financing (in partnership with the BDC), an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.
• Collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.
• For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit the Futurpreneur Canada website.

Grassroots Growth Initiative

The objectives of the GGI are to:

• increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food and rural development
• build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector
• enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
• strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
• encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes

For full details about the program and application process, click here (https://www.ontario.ca/page/grassroots-growth-initiative-guidelines#) 

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program

The Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) is a partnership with small- and medium-sized automotive parts suppliers in Ontario. The goal is to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain and make it more competitive.

Your business could get up to $100,000 to help cover up to 50% of eligible project costs. As a successful applicant, you are required to contribute at least 50% of remaining project costs through:

• your own business resources
• private or bank financing

To be eligible, you must be a small- or medium-sized Ontario-based business in the automotive supply chain. Specifically, you must meet these requirements:

• be a for-profit business (with a business number)
• less than 500 employees in Ontario
• less than $1 billion in global revenues
• have at least two years of financial statements
• at least 50% of the company’s total sales revenue comes from the auto supply sector

Learn more about the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program.  See the Eligible Project Costs Guidelines and the Applicant Guide.

Reconnect Ontario - Closes February 9, 2023

Reconnect Ontario supports festivals and events that have a tourism economic impact and motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and increase tourism spending. 

The program aims to support innovative events in Ontario that will:

• offer safe experiences that encourage people to travel locally, participate and rediscover the beauty and diversity of all that Ontario communities have to offer 
• draw tourists and local visitors, whether in-person or virtually, through innovative programming, and generate positive economic impact for the local community, the region and the province
• provide job opportunities for Ontarians, particularly in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors
• increase Ontario’s profile through media and/or social media exposure to generate interest in future travel to the province.

Festival and event organizers who continue to adopt innovative approaches in delivering programs that have a tourism economic impact and motivates visitors to rediscover Ontario can apply for this funding program. 

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, however you must submit your application at least four months before your event start date.

Information about how to apply to the program is available at Ontario.ca.

Rural Economic Development (RED) Funding Program

• Marketing and outreach campaigns to grow rural Ontario’s workforce.
• Connecting youth and apprentices to job opportunities and placements.
• Creating dedicated spaces such as innovation hubs and youth centres to develop partnerships and foster innovation.

Starter Company Plus

Starter Company Plus is open to a Canadian/Ontario/Leeds Grenville resident aged 18 and over who is working in their business full time (30-40 hours per week) and is in the first 5 years of business, proposing a new business, expanding or purchasing a new business. To qualify for funding of up to $5,000, you need to be able to contribute at least 25% (in cash or in kind) of the grant amount.

In this area, these programs are offered through the Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre in Brockville (see Starter Company Plus) and the Small Business Enterprise Centre serving Smiths Falls / Lanark County / northern northern Leeds Grenville (see Starter Company Plus).

thriveFORWARD

thriveFORWARD is a new initiative, aimed at accelerating sustainable industrial investment in innovation capital across southern Ontario. thriveFORWARD will assist participants in future-proofing their business, building resiliency, and preparing for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy.

Eligible projects include the commercialization of innovation or the adoption of an innovation by start-ups and SMEs that are investing in sustainable and inclusive growth. This new program is coordinated through the Northumberland CFDC and is available to eligible SME across Southern Ontario.

For more information about the program, please visit https://ncfdc.ca/thriveforward/