Resources for New Businesses

Starting or growing a Canadian business? We’ve got you covered! Our resources hub is packed with valuable tools, funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and business essentials to help Canadian entrepreneurs thrive. Whether you're launching a startup, scaling an existing business, or just looking for grants, loans, and networking opportunities, you'll find everything you need right here.

✔ Funding & Grants – Explore Canadian programs that support small businesses
✔ Marketing & Growth – Tips, strategies, and tools to build your brand
✔ Legal & Compliance – Understand Canadian business laws & requirements
✔ Tech & E-commerce – Resources to help you sell, automate, and

 

Federal Resources

  1. Canada Business App / Innovation Canada Portal
    • The Government of Canada offers an online portal (Innovation Canada) and the Canada Business app that help entrepreneurs find relevant funding, tax credits, wage subsidies, and other incentives.
    • Website: innovation.canada.ca
  2. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
    • A Crown corporation providing financing, advisory services, and capital to small and medium-sized businesses.
    • Offers specialized programs for entrepreneurs under 35, women entrepreneurs, and technology ventures.
    • Website: bdc.ca
  3. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
    • Helps small businesses obtain loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
    • Useful for financing real estate, renovations, or purchasing equipment.
    • Website: Canada Small Business Financing Program
  4. Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
    • Administered by the National Research Council (NRC).
    • Provides grants, advisory services, and R&D assistance to small and medium-sized businesses that pursue technology-driven innovation.
    • Website: nrc.canada.ca/irap
  5. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive
    • A federal tax credit for businesses conducting R&D in Canada.
    • Reduces federal and provincial tax payable and may also yield refundable tax credits.
    • Website: SR&ED Program
  6. Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
    • Various RDAs across Canada provide region-specific support, grants, and loan programs to local businesses. Examples include:
      • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
      • Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
      • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
      • Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) / PrairiesCan
      • Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
    • Each RDA has its own programs tailored to local economic priorities.

Provincial Resources (Selected Examples)

Ontario

  • Ontario’s Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs)
    • Located across the province to provide free consultations, business plan reviews, workshops, and networking events.
    • Website: ontario.ca/page/small-business-advice-support-services
  • Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
    • Offers programs and funding for research, commercialization, and startup growth, especially in the technology sector.
    • Website: oc-innovation.ca

Quebec

  • Investissement Québec
    • Provides financing solutions, investment capital, and mentorship to help businesses start up and grow.
    • Website: investquebec.com
  • Services Québec: Entreprises
    • Government portal providing tools, guides, and information on business registration and grants.
    • Website: quebec.ca/en/business

British Columbia

  • Small Business BC
    • Offers advisory services, business registration support, and education (workshops, seminars).
    • Website: smallbusinessbc.ca
  • Innovate BC
    • Supports tech startups with funding, mentorship, and connections to industry partners.
    • Website: innovatebc.ca

Alberta

  • Alberta Innovates
    • Supports research and innovation projects, grants, and business accelerators.
    • Website: albertainnovates.ca
  • Business Link
    • Provides free business advice and startup guidance; organizes events and mentorship programs.
    • Website: businesslink.ca

Saskatchewan

  • Economic Development and Export (Ministry of Trade and Export Development)
    • Offers guidance on Saskatchewan-based grants and incentives, including the Small Business Emergency Payment programs (when available).
    • Website: saskatchewan.ca

Manitoba

  • Economic Development and Jobs
    • Provides entrepreneurship training, funding opportunities, and business consulting services.
    • Website: gov.mb.ca/jec

Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador)

  • Each province offers its own set of small business resources and startup grants through departments of economic development or business.
  • For example:
    • Nova Scotia Business Inc. (novascotiabusiness.com)
    • Opportunities New Brunswick (onbcanada.ca)
    • Innovation PEI (princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/business-and-economy)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador — Business (gov.nl.ca/business)

Territorial Resources

Yukon

  • Department of Economic Development
    • Provides business support, funding programs, and start-up help.
    • Website: yukon.ca/en/department-economic-development

Northwest Territories

  • Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI)
    • Delivers the SEED (Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development) Policy program to help small businesses.
    • Website: iti.gov.nt.ca

Nunavut

  • Department of Economic Development and Transportation
    • Offers financial assistance programs for startup and expansion.
    • Website: gov.nu.ca/economic-development-and-transportation

Additional Federal and National Organizations

  1. Futurpreneur Canada
    • A national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and business resources to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18–39.
    • Programs often include low-interest loans, skill-building workshops, and mentorship pairings.
    • Website: futurpreneur.ca
  2. Export Development Canada (EDC)
    • Assists Canadian businesses looking to export products or services.
    • Provides trade credit insurance, financing solutions, and market intelligence.
    • Website: edc.ca
  3. Startup Visa Program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
    • A federal immigration program that grants permanent residence to innovative entrepreneurs who secure support from designated venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators.
    • Website: canada.ca/startup-visa
  4. Startup Canada
    • A national network supporting entrepreneurs through digital programs, grassroots startup communities, and events.
    • Website: startupcan.ca
  5. Canadian Technology Accelerator Program (CTA)
    • Organized by Global Affairs Canada, it helps high-potential tech startups to access global markets through short-term accelerator programs in key technology hubs (e.g., Silicon Valley, Boston, London).
    • Website: tradecommissioner.gc.ca/cta-atc.aspx

Programs for Underrepresented Groups

  1. Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)
    • A government initiative to increase women-owned businesses’ access to financing, talent, networks, and expertise.
    • WES Ecosystem Fund supports organizations delivering support and resources to women entrepreneurs.
    • Website: ic.gc.ca/wes
  2. Indigenous Entrepreneurs
    • National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA): A network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) offering financing and business support to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis entrepreneurs.
    • Aboriginal Business Financing Program: Funding from the federal government for start-up, expansion, and marketing.
    • Ulnooweg (Atlantic Canada): Offers funding and advisory services to Indigenous entrepreneurs.
    • Various provincial or territorial Indigenous economic development agencies also offer specialized programs.
  3. Black Entrepreneurs
    • Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP): A federal initiative providing loans, mentorship, and ecosystem support to Black-led small businesses and entrepreneurs.
    • Delivery partners: Canadian financial institutions, Black-led business organizations.
  4. Young Entrepreneurs
    • BDC Young Entrepreneur Financing: Custom financing solutions and business advice for those under 35.
    • Futurpreneur mentioned above also focuses on young entrepreneurs.
  5. Newcomer Entrepreneurs
    • Programs through local immigration partnerships or settlement organizations often provide tailored advisory services, networking, and language support.
    • Incubators such as Access Community Capital Fund (Ontario) can offer microloans and financial literacy training to newcomers.

Intellectual Property (IP) Considerations

  • Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
    • Guides businesses on how to protect their innovations (patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs).
    • Provides resources on IP strategy and how to file applications.
    • Website: cipo.ic.gc.ca
  • Patent and Trademark Agents
    • Consider consulting with a registered agent to ensure your IP filings are executed properly and strategically.

Professional Services and Advisory Support

  1. Accountants and Bookkeepers
    • Budget for professional accounting advice early on to ensure compliance with tax requirements (GST/HST, payroll, etc.).
  2. Lawyers
    • Corporate lawyers can assist with incorporation, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, and IP protections.
  3. Mentorship and Advisory Networks
    • Local Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, and sector-specific industry associations provide excellent networking, events, and mentorship connections.
    • Many accelerators and incubators (e.g., Communitech, MaRS Discovery District, DMZ at Ryerson University) offer structured programs to help startups refine their ideas and connect with investors.

Local and Community-Based Resources

  • Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) (in rural areas)
    • Offer loans, business coaching, and training to entrepreneurs.
    • Particularly helpful for those in smaller communities who might not have access to large urban incubators.
  • Regional Innovation Centres
    • In provinces such as Ontario, there are multiple Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) (e.g., Communitech in Waterloo, Spark Centre in Durham Region) providing tailored startup support.
  • Municipal Economic Development Offices
    • Many cities have economic development offices that focus on attracting and growing local businesses. They can often direct entrepreneurs to local incentive programs or real estate opportunities.

Other Important Considerations

  1. Business Planning and Market Research
    • Thoroughly research your target market, competitors, and industry trends.
    • Develop a solid business plan that outlines your value proposition, revenue streams, and financial projections.
  2. Funding Strategy
    • Decide whether to bootstrap, seek loans, or pursue equity investment (angel investors, venture capital) depending on your growth plan and industry.
    • Keep an eye on federal and provincial/territorial grant deadlines, as these can be highly competitive.
  3. Taxation and Compliance
    • Familiarize yourself with both federal (CRA) and provincial/territorial tax obligations, including payroll taxes, sales taxes (GST/HST/PST), and corporate taxes.
    • Set up a reliable bookkeeping system early to avoid compliance issues down the line.
  4. Networking and Relationship Building
    • Attend industry conferences, meetups, and virtual events to build a support network of peers, mentors, and potential customers.
    • Engage with local startup communities on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to stay informed about new programs and opportunities.
  5. Risk Management and Insurance
    • Explore suitable insurance options (liability, property, product liability, etc.) to protect your company’s assets and stakeholders.

 

Contact Us