Grants for Small Business Startups in Canada

Starting a new business requires ingenuity, planning, research and of course, money. The Canadian government provides a number of aids for small business startups in Canada but many come in the form of low interest or interest-free loans rather than grants. Nonetheless, there are grants available to entrepreneurs who meet the specific criteria required. Many grants are province- or territory-based and only available to designated industries, like agriculture, for example.

Alberta

The Canadian government offers a grant for producers and/or processors of agricultural goods. The grant can be applied to the development of a new healthier product, the commercialization of the product, or the expansion of your business. Specifically, Agri-Business and Product Development is a government iniative to fund market research, business plans, feasibility studies and value chain development.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is eager to support the struggling print industry with grants available to book and periodical publishers to be used for producing new works, marketing those works, translating texts into French, English, Mi'kmaq or Maliseet, and for publishing books on Aboriginal culture. The guidelines for qualification vary depending on the nature of the publication--book or periodical--as does the amount granted. Within this same grant program there is also funding for programs that are designed to promote provincewide reading initiatives.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is interested in supporting new or emerging television producers who would like to produce a 6- to 16-minute program. The award consists of a $10,000 CBC regional broadcasting license, $10,000 in CBC services, and an investment of $20,000 from Film Nova Scotia Equity. In order to qualify for this grant the producer must have an experienced mentor ready to assist in development.

Ontario

Ontario offers grants to research and develop new technology but the grant does require that you incorporate your business before application. The grants are funded by the provincial government in conjunction with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and thus the business must be located in northern Ontario. Specifically, the government and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund are looking for biotechnology and life science projects, development of communication technology and film development and production.

Quebec

Fondation du Maire de Montréal pour la Jeunesse provides startup grants to young people interested in opening a business in Montréal. In order to qualify, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 35, must earn $35,000 a year or less and must have a personal net worth of $25,000 or less. It is also necessary to attend an information session provided by the foundation and to meet with a coordinator several times.

References

• Canada Business