Both the provincial and federal governments offer small business funding programs and services. There are two common ways companies search for Canadian government funding programs, including looking by their province/operating region and exploring by their project/investment area.

Companies can also refer to our library of programs for a comprehensive view of the various small business funding grants and low interest repayable loans available to Canadian businesses. These programs can be applied to a numerous variety of activities such as hiring and training, research and development, capital investment, and business expansion.

In order to be eligible for most Canadian government funding programs, businesses need to be incorporated for at least two years and have at least 4-15+ people on payroll, although each program has their own eligibility requirements. This is to establish the financial stability of the organization. Generally speaking, most Canadian government grant programs are positioned to support incorporated small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations.

No. Most programs support businesses with at least 4-15+ employees, but there are other programs, such as for hiring and training grants, that support from 1 to 50 employees. Canadian government grants and loans are tailored to support small businesses and each have their own eligibility criteria.

Yes, typically Canadian government funding programs will only approve applications from businesses that have been incorporated for at least two years, but there are also small business funding programs available for unincorporated businesses, although this funding is limited.

If you are unsure about whether or not your Canadian small business qualifies for grants and loans, contact us to learn more.

To be awarded Canadian government funding, a business’s financial health is important. Generally, a current balance sheet and income statement must be submitted with the application. At a minimum, some financial information will be required, such as a letter from your financial officer.

There are also several Internet resources to support the planning components. As part of our process, we support the development of customized business and project plans to act as supporting documentation for your funding application where necessary.

The process for obtaining Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits and incentives is significantly different. It is often more complex and time-consuming to pursue tax refunds compared to the typical Canadian government grant process. We’ve also seen the complexity of the claims process increase in recent years while the total value of claims is decreasing.

As well, business owners are only entitled to SR&ED tax credits once per year. As such, no immediate or regular cash flow improvements are gained. Small business grants and Canadian government funding programs are available at different points throughout the year and can provide immediate cash flow impacts and direct support to upcoming projects.