Need cash to start your business? Canadian and provincial governments can help.
If you're interested in starting a business in Canada, there are many government grants available to help you get the capital funding you need. Which grants you qualify for depends on what your business will do, and where in Canada you plan to set up shop. Consult this list for grants that entrepreneurs will find most useful, and visit the Government of Canada's Grants, Contributions, and Financial Assistance website to learn more about grants specific to your industry or geographic area.
Aboriginal Business Canada
If you're a Canadian Aboriginal and you want to start a new business, you can get up to $99,999 to support your start-up venture. If you need it, you can also receive free business planning support. This grant is available to Aboriginal entrepreneurs across Canada, and does not need to be paid back.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/961
Alberta Energy Research Institute
Get up to $50,000 if you live in Alberta and have an invention that will positively affect the energy industry. You can use the money to make engineering designs, build prototypes or secure patents.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2506
Eastern Ontario Development Fund
If your eastern Ontario business will create jobs, bring new technologies to the marketplace or incite growth in new areas, you can receive up to 15 percent reimbursement for your business expenses.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2417
Environmental Technology Program
If your business is based in Nova Scotia and you want to develop and commercialize a technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, this grant can cover up to 50 percent of your business costs.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3765
International Science and Technology Partnership Program
Businesses collaborating with universities, research institutes and colleges to develop their product can receive special funding if they participate jointly in research with specified partner countries: China, India, Israel or Brazil. Cover up to 50 percent of your research costs with this grant, available to new and existing businesses across Canada.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/1136
Jeunes Promoteurs
This grant is for young entrepreneurs in Quebec between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to start a new business. Receive up to 75 percent of your business plan start-up costs, and get up to 50 percent of your expenses covered once your business is running.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2558
Northern Development Fund
If you've been living in northern Saskatchewan for ten years or more or you plan to run your business out of northern Saskatchewan, you can receive grants for young entrepreneur training, marketing, promotion, R&D and business skills development.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2408
Self-Employment
If you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island or the Yukon and you're having trouble finding work (or you can't find satisfying work), apply for this benefit to start your own business. You'll need to match 25 percent of the funding you receive with your own cash or capital. Keep in mind that you cannot receive this grant if you've already started your own business before applying, or if you quit your current job to apply for the grant.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1231
Summer Company
If you're a student between the ages of 15 and 29 anywhere in Canada and you want to run your own company over the summer, you could receive up to $3,000 to get started.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2409
Support for Business Start-Up, Entrepreneurial Assistance Program
Entrepreneurs starting a technology-based business in Quebec can receive up to 50 percent of their start-up costs through this grant, to a maximum of $300,000.
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/4110
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