Ontario Small Business Grants in 2026: Programs That Are Actually Open

Search for "Ontario small business grants" and you'll find long lists of programs, many of them closed for years. This guide does the opposite. It lists only the Ontario and federal programs we could confirm on official pages as open or about to open in October 2026, says clearly which popular ones have closed, and explains what each one really offers — because most "grants" for Ontario businesses are either small, competitive, or repayable. If you're starting out, running a shop, or growing a manufacturer, you'll know within five minutes which doors are actually open.

Quick answer

In October 2026, the main non-repayable option for a new Ontario business is Starter Company Plus (up to C$5,000, through your local Small Business Advisory Centre). Established businesses can apply to FedDev Ontario and its Regional Tariff Response Initiative, and the Eastern and Southwestern Ontario Development Funds reopen on 3 November 2026. Most start-up money comes as loans from Futurpreneur, the CSBFP or BDC.

• Summer Company (students, up to C$3,000) closed for 2026 on 15 May

• The Canada Digital Adoption Program has ended — no new applications

• FedDev and the regional funds need 3+ years of operations and 5–10+ employees

• No real program charges a fee or guarantees approval

The honest picture: few grants, many loans

Governments in Ontario fund small businesses in three ways. Grants are non-repayable but usually small (a few thousand dollars for start-ups) or tied to big projects at established firms. Repayable contributions — the bulk of FedDev Ontario's and the province's business funding — are interest-free or low-cost loans with conditions, sometimes partly forgivable if you hit job or investment targets. Loans and guarantees, such as the Canada Small Business Financing Program, BDC and Futurpreneur, are ordinary credit made easier to get.

For a new business, that means a realistic funding plan rarely starts with a grant. It starts with your own money, adds a start-up loan, and uses a small grant like Starter Company Plus to fill a gap. For an established business with employees, the bigger programs open up — but they want three years of financial statements, a defined project and matching money from you.

Program status changes constantly. Budgets run out, intakes open and close on fixed dates, and new initiatives appear in response to events such as US tariffs. Every program below was checked against its official page in October 2026; check again before you invest time in an application.

Ontario and federal small business funding — status in October 2026

Program	Who it's for	Type and amount	Status
Starter Company Plus	Adults starting, buying or expanding	Grant up to C$5,000	Open through local centres
FedDev Ontario — business funding	Southern Ontario, 5–500 FTEs, 3+ years	Mostly repayable	Accepting applications
FedDev — Regional Tariff Response Initiative	Tariff-hit firms, C$1 million+ revenue	Up to C$3 million non-repayable	Accepting applications
FedNor — Northern Ontario Development Program	Northern Ontario	Varies	Open, limited budget
Ontario Together Trade Fund	Tariff-hit, 5+ FTEs, 3+ years	Grants/loans up to C$5 million	Continuous intake
Eastern / Southwestern Ontario Development Fund	10+ employees (5 rural), 3+ years	Loans/grants up to 15% of costs	Opens 3 November 2026
Futurpreneur	Founders 18–39	Loan up to C$75,000 with BDC	Open
CSBFP	Revenue ≤ C$10 million	Bank loan up to C$1.15 million	Open
Summer Company	Students 15–29	Grant up to C$3,000	Closed for 2026
Canada Digital Adoption Program	—	—	Ended

Starter Company Plus

Who it's for

Adults starting, buying or expanding

Type and amount

Grant up to C$5,000

Status

Open through local centres

FedDev Ontario — business funding

Who it's for

Southern Ontario, 5–500 FTEs, 3+ years

Type and amount

Mostly repayable

Status

Accepting applications

FedDev — Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Who it's for

Tariff-hit firms, C$1 million+ revenue

Type and amount

Up to C$3 million non-repayable

Status

Accepting applications

FedNor — Northern Ontario Development Program

Who it's for

Northern Ontario

Type and amount

Varies

Status

Open, limited budget

Ontario Together Trade Fund

Who it's for

Tariff-hit, 5+ FTEs, 3+ years

Type and amount

Grants/loans up to C$5 million

Status

Continuous intake

Eastern / Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

Who it's for

10+ employees (5 rural), 3+ years

Type and amount

Loans/grants up to 15% of costs

Status

Opens 3 November 2026

Futurpreneur

Who it's for

Founders 18–39

Type and amount

Loan up to C$75,000 with BDC

Status

Open

CSBFP

Who it's for

Revenue ≤ C$10 million

Type and amount

Bank loan up to C$1.15 million

Status

Open

Summer Company

Who it's for

Students 15–29

Type and amount

Grant up to C$3,000

Status

Closed for 2026

Canada Digital Adoption Program

Who it's for

—

Type and amount

—

Status

Ended

Starter Company Plus: the main start-up grant

Starter Company Plus is Ontario's flagship grant for people starting a business, buying an existing one, or expanding a young one. It combines training, mentoring and a grant of up to C$5,000. Ontario's page for the program was updated on 23 September 2026 and continues to direct applicants to their local centre.

Who can apply. You must be 18 or older, live in Ontario, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and not be in full-time school or returning to school. To receive the grant, you must put in a contribution of at least 25% of the grant amount, in cash or in kind — so C$1,250 for a C$5,000 grant.

How it works in practice. The program is delivered by the province's network of Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres, the local offices long known as Small Business Enterprise Centres, usually run with the municipality. Each centre runs its own cohorts: an information session, a series of workshops on business planning, marketing and finance, one-on-one advice, then a business plan and a pitch to a selection panel. Not everyone who completes the training gets a grant, and amounts vary up to the maximum.

Timing. Because intakes are local, there's no single provincial deadline. Some centres run cohorts several times a year; others once. Call or email your nearest centre, ask when the next intake opens and what it expects, and get on the list.

What it's good for. Equipment, a website, initial inventory, marketing or professional fees — the kind of first purchases that make a small business real. It won't fund a restaurant fit-out on its own, but it pairs well with a loan.

Summer Company: closed until next spring

Summer Company gives students aged 15 to 29 up to C$3,000 to run a business over the summer — up to C$1,500 at the start for start-up costs and up to C$1,500 on completing the program — plus coaching from a local centre. Applicants must be returning to school afterwards and starting a brand-new business.

The 2026 intake took applications through 15 May, so it's closed now. Based on the program's usual cycle, the next intake should open in spring 2027; watch Ontario's Summer Company page and ask your local centre in the new year. If you're a student with a business idea, use the winter to build a simple plan and test demand, so you're ready the day applications open.

FedDev Ontario: funding for established southern Ontario firms

FedDev Ontario is the federal regional development agency for southern Ontario. It isn't for start-ups, but it's the largest source of federal money for growing businesses in the region. Its business funding page, updated on 5 October 2026, says it is accepting applications.

Who can apply. For-profit businesses, co-operatives and Indigenous businesses located and operating in southern Ontario, with at least 5 and no more than 500 full-time employees, that have been incorporated and registered in Canada or Ontario for at least the past three years.

What it funds. Three broad kinds of project: late-stage product or process innovation, productivity improvements such as automation, equipment upgrades and clean technology, and business expansion such as new products, supply-chain integration or reshoring. FedDev's business funding has historically been a repayable contribution — an interest-free loan with a repayment schedule — rather than a grant; confirm the terms for your project with FedDev.

How to apply. Download the application form (it needs Adobe Acrobat Reader), complete it with the application guide, attach financial statements, projections, organisational documents and job-impact details, and submit. A business can only have one application in at a time. FedDev recommends talking to its staff early; its general line is 1-866-593-5505.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a newer federal program for businesses hurt by US tariffs, delivered in southern Ontario by FedDev. Its page, updated on 24 September 2026, shows it accepting applications.

It targets businesses facing tariff pressure with minimum annual revenue of C$1 million, in any sector. Funding comes in two forms:

• Liquidity assistance of up to C$2 million, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to help a business get through the disruption;
• Pivot projects to change products, markets or supply chains: up to C$1 million non-repayable at up to 50% of costs for projects with local or regional benefits, or repayable funding above C$1 million at up to 75% of costs for larger transformations.

Combined non-repayable support is capped at C$3 million, and total RTRI funding including repayable support at C$20 million. Liquidity assistance projects must wrap up by 31 March 2028 and pivot projects by 31 March 2029.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative — southern Ontario

C$1 million

Minimum annual revenue

C$3 million

Max non-repayable

Liquidity + pivot combined

C$20 million

Max total

Including repayable

Up to 75%

Cost share

Repayable pivot projects

FedNor for northern Ontario

Businesses in northern Ontario deal with FedNor instead. Its Northern Ontario Development Program includes a business growth and competitiveness priority for small and medium-sized businesses — modernisation, access to capital, exports and new markets. FedNor says budget availability is limited because of high demand and asks applicants to speak with a FedNor officer before applying (1-877-333-6673).

Ontario's own business funds

Eastern and Southwestern Ontario Development Funds

Ontario's Regional Development Program runs the Eastern Ontario Development Fund and the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. Both use fixed application periods. The last one closed on 23 September 2026; the next opens on 3 November 2026 and closes on 21 January 2027, with decisions expected around 20 April 2027.

They're for growing companies, not micro-businesses. You need at least three years of operations and financial statements, at least 10 employees (5 in rural areas), a commitment to create at least five new jobs (or grow headcount 30% if you have fewer than 15 staff), and a project of at least C$500,000 (C$200,000 in rural Ontario).

Support is usually a loan of up to 15% of eligible costs, up to C$5 million, interest-free during the project, with up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of C$500,000) forgivable if you hit your targets. Grants of up to 15% of costs are available in narrower cases — capped at C$500,000 for rural businesses with under 100 employees, and C$1.5 million for strategic foreign investment. You start with an online self-assessment, then speak to a regional advisor and register on Transfer Payment Ontario.

Regional Development Fund intake dates

23 Sept 2026

Period 23 closed (decisions by 17 Dec 2026)

3 November 2026

Period 24 opens — Eastern and Southwestern funds

21 January 2027

Period 24 deadline

20 April 2027

Period 24 decisions

18 Feb 2027

Period 25 opens (closes 20 May 2027)

Ontario Together Trade Fund

The Ontario Together Trade Fund helps Ontario businesses affected by US tariffs invest in serving customers in other provinces, finding new markets or reshoring supply chains. It has run with continuous intake since 23 April 2025. Eligible businesses are for-profit, registered in Ontario, have at least five full-time-equivalent employees and three years of financial statements, can show tariff impact, and have at least C$200,000 of eligible project costs. Support is usually a grant or loan covering 10–20% of costs, up to C$5 million. The official page was last updated in December 2025, so confirm with the ministry that funds remain before you apply.

Loans that fill the gap for start-ups

Since grants for new businesses are small, most founders in Ontario combine one with a loan.

Futurpreneur lends to founders aged 18 to 39 whose business has been running full-time for up to 24 months. Its Core Startup Program offers up to C$75,000 — up to C$25,000 from Futurpreneur and up to C$50,000 from BDC, under limits raised in September 2024 — with up to two years of one-to-one mentoring. You'll need to show training or experience in your field.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program lets banks and credit unions lend up to C$1.15 million to businesses with revenue of C$10 million or less, including start-ups, with the government sharing the lender's risk. It's the main route for equipment, fit-outs and premises. Our CSBFP guide explains the limits, rate caps and fees.

BDC's online Small Business Loan goes up to C$350,000 but is for businesses that have operated for at least 24 months, are profitable and meet BDC's credit and revenue tests — a growth loan, not a start-up loan.

Building a realistic start-up funding plan in Ontario

1. 1

   Cost the launch

   List equipment, fit-out, inventory, deposits, licences and three months of fixed costs.

2. 2

   Decide what you'll put in

   Every program expects owner money — Starter Company Plus requires 25% of the grant; lenders want to see equity.

3. 3

   Talk to your local advisory centre

   Ask about the next Starter Company Plus intake and get free help with your plan.

   Find an Ontario Small Business Advisory Centre
4. 4

   Line up the loan

   Futurpreneur if you're 18–39; a CSBFP loan at your bank for equipment and fit-outs.

5. 5

   Register the business properly

   Lenders and grant panels want a registered name or corporation and a CRA Business Number.

Worked example: a Hamilton coffee roaster

Aisha, 31, is launching a small coffee roastery in Hamilton. Her budget is C$95,000: a C$45,000 roaster and grinder, C$25,000 for fit-out of a leased unit, C$10,000 of green coffee and packaging, and C$15,000 for a website, licences and three months of rent. She has C$15,000 saved.

Starter Company Plus. She joins her local centre's next cohort and wins a C$5,000 grant, putting in the required C$1,250 contribution from her savings. Grant money goes on the website and packaging design.

Futurpreneur. As a 31-year-old with roasting experience, she qualifies for Futurpreneur's program. Say she's approved for C$50,000 combined from Futurpreneur and BDC, with a mentor for two years.

CSBFP. The remaining C$25,000, for the roaster, comes from a CSBFP term loan at her credit union, secured on the equipment. The 2% registration fee adds C$500, which she finances.

The result: C$15,000 own money + C$5,000 grant + C$50,000 Futurpreneur/BDC + C$25,500 CSBFP covers the C$95,000 plus the fee. Only about 5% of it is a grant — typical for a new Ontario business. Work through your own figures with the startup cost calculator and test the payments with the break-even calculator.

How to write an application that gets funded

Grant panels and funding officers see hundreds of applications. The ones that succeed share a few traits:

• A specific project with a specific cost. "Buy a C$45,000 roaster to triple capacity" beats "grow the business". Attach quotes.
• Numbers that tie together. Your projections, cash flow and the funding you're asking for should reconcile. Officers check.
• Your own money in. Every program on this page expects a contribution, and showing more than the minimum helps.
• Clear outcomes. Jobs created, revenue, exports or new markets — the measures each program is designed to deliver.
• Clean paperwork. Registered business, CRA Business Number, up-to-date tax filings and financial statements. If you haven't set those up, start with our Ontario registration guide.

Don't spend money you expect a grant to cover before you have a signed agreement. Most programs only reimburse costs incurred after approval.

Closed and ended programs you'll still see online

Many grant lists haven't been updated. As of October 2026:

• Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) — the Boost Your Business Technology grant closed to new applications because of demand, and program funding was slated to end on 31 March 2025. The program's site has been taken down. There's no intake.
• Summer Company — closed for 2026 on 15 May; expect the next intake in spring 2027.
• Eastern and Southwestern Ontario Development Funds — between intakes until 3 November 2026.

If a website or consultant offers to get you into CDAP, or any program that isn't taking applications, walk away.

Grant scams: how to spot them

Fraudsters know people search for "free government grants". The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes the usual pattern: an ad or call says you qualify for free money, you fill in a form, you're told you're approved — and then you're asked for an upfront fee to release the funds or to see a list of grants. The more you pay, they say, the more you'll get. No money ever arrives.

The rules are simple. Government programs don't charge to apply, don't guarantee approval, and don't involve private companies in approval decisions. Sites that copy government logos or call themselves "official grant centres" are not the government. Legitimate consultants exist and can help with large FedDev or regional fund applications, but they can't promise success, and you should never pay a large fee upfront. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Before you apply for any Ontario grant or loan

0/7

• Confirm on the official page that the program is open today
• Register your business name or corporation and get a CRA Business Number
• Prepare a business plan with 12–24 months of cash-flow projections
• Gather quotes for every item you want funded
• Decide how much of your own money you'll contribute
• Check you meet employee, revenue and years-in-business rules
• Never pay a fee to apply or to release funds

Share Print

Official links

• Ontario — Starter Company Plus
• Ontario — Summer Company
• Ontario Small Business Advisory CentresFind your local centre
• FedDev Ontario — how to apply
• FedDev Ontario — Regional Tariff Response Initiative
• FedNor — Northern Ontario Development Program
• Ontario — Eastern Ontario Development Fund
• Ontario — Southwestern Ontario Development Fund
• Ontario — Ontario Together Trade Fund
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — grant and loan scams

What to do next

If you're starting out, contact your local Ontario Small Business Advisory Centre this week about Starter Company Plus, and line up Futurpreneur or a CSBFP loan for the bigger costs. If you're an established southern Ontario business with a growth or tariff-response project, read FedDev's application guide now, and diarise 3 November 2026 if you're in eastern or southwestern Ontario. Whatever you apply for, get the basics right first: a registered business — see how to incorporate in Canada — and a plan that adds up. The free business plan generator is a good place to start.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice — confirm on the official source or with a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free grants for starting a small business in Ontario?

A few, and they're small. Starter Company Plus offers up to C$5,000 to adults starting, buying or expanding a business, through local Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres, and requires you to contribute at least 25% of the grant. Students can get up to C$3,000 through Summer Company, but the 2026 intake closed in May. Most start-up money in Ontario is loans: Futurpreneur, the CSBFP and BDC.

How do I apply for Starter Company Plus?

Contact your local Ontario Small Business Advisory Centre (formerly called Small Business Enterprise Centres). Each centre runs its own intakes, training sessions and selection, so timing differs across the province. You'll typically attend workshops, prepare a business plan and pitch to a panel. You must be 18 or older, an Ontario resident, a citizen or permanent resident, and not in full-time school.

Is the Canada Digital Adoption Program still open?

No. The Boost Your Business Technology grant closed to new applications because of demand, and the program was scheduled to wrap up on 31 March 2025. Its website has since been taken down. Existing approved agreements were honoured, but there is no new intake. Be wary of anyone still offering to help you apply for CDAP.

What FedDev Ontario funding can a small business get?

FedDev Ontario funds established businesses in southern Ontario, not start-ups. Its main business stream is accepting applications from for-profit firms with 5 to 500 full-time employees that have been incorporated for at least three years. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is also open to tariff-hit businesses with at least C$1 million in revenue. Most business funding is repayable.

How can I spot a fake small business grant?

Real government programs never charge a fee to apply, never guarantee approval and never ask you to pay to release funds. Treat any website, call or social media ad promising guaranteed Ontario or federal grants for a fee as a scam. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

When does the next Eastern or Southwestern Ontario Development Fund intake open?

The next application period for both regional funds opens on 3 November 2026 and closes on 21 January 2027, with decisions expected in April 2027. They're for established businesses with at least three years of financial statements, ten or more employees (five in rural areas) and a project of at least C$500,000.

Sources & verification

Figures on this page were checked against the sources below when it was last reviewed on 8 October 2026. Each rate and limit is stored once with its own official source and review date, and official update channels are monitored daily so changes are picked up. How we verify

1. 1.Starter Company Plus — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
2. 2.Summer Company: how it works — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
3. 3.Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
4. 4.Eastern Ontario Development Fund — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
5. 5.Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
6. 6.Ontario Together Trade Fund — Government of Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
7. 7.Funding for businesses in southern Ontario: How to apply — FedDev Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
8. 8.Funding for businesses in southern Ontario: Who can apply — FedDev Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
9. 9.Regional Tariff Response Initiative in southern Ontario — FedDev Ontario · accessed 8 October 2026
10. 10.Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) — FedNor · accessed 8 October 2026
11. 11.Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) — Question Period note — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada · accessed 8 October 2026
12. 12.2025 Committee of the Whole — Background for Minister — PacifiCan (Government of Canada) · accessed 8 October 2026
13. 13.Get started — Core Startup Program — Futurpreneur Canada · accessed 8 October 2026
14. 14.A boost for new business: Futurpreneur raises loan amounts up to $75,000 — Futurpreneur Canada (via Cision) · accessed 8 October 2026
15. 15.Small business loan — Business Development Bank of Canada · accessed 8 October 2026
16. 16.Grant and loan scams — Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre · accessed 8 October 2026