Yes – Ontario entrepreneurs can access real, non-repayable grants, but they’re targeted rather than universal. Programs like Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000), Summer Company (for youth aged 15–29), and sector-specific funds through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) are available right now, alongside federal options like the Canada Small Business Financing Program. Most require you to already operate – or be about to register – an Ontario corporation or registered sole proprietorship, since almost every funder asks for proof of legal business status before releasing money.
That last point trips up more applicants than anything else. In three years of helping founders register and fund their businesses, I’ve seen more grant applications rejected for missing incorporation paperwork than for weak business plans. This guide walks through what’s actually available, how registration fits in, and how to apply without wasting a cycle.
💰 What Types of Business Grants Exist in Canada?
The word "grant" is often used broadly, but not every funding program works the same way. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right program and avoid surprises during the application process.
True Grants
Non-repayable funding that often supports new businesses, expansion projects, or specific industries. Some programs may require matching contributions.
Repayable Contributions
Government funding that is repaid only under certain conditions, typically if the business reaches agreed financial milestones.
Wage Subsidies
Programs that reimburse part of an employee's wages for a limited period to encourage hiring and workforce growth.
Tax Credits
Reduce the amount of tax your business owes instead of providing cash upfront. Often available for innovation, research, and media industries.
Cost-Share Programs
The government reimburses a percentage of eligible project costs while your business pays the remaining portion.
🏛️ Where Do Business Grants Come From?
National funding offered through federal departments and regional development agencies for innovation, exports, hiring, and business growth.
Funding tailored to businesses operating within a specific province, often supporting job creation, technology, manufacturing, and expansion.
Local grants and advisory programs delivered through municipalities and Small Business Enterprise Centres.
Before applying, confirm who administers the program—federal, provincial, or municipal. Each level of government has different eligibility requirements, deadlines, application forms, and supporting documents, so qualifying for one program does not automatically qualify you for another.
What Business Grants Are Available in Ontario Right Now?
Ontario doesn’t run one central grant portal the way some provinces do – funding is split across several standing programs, each with its own eligibility rules. Here’s a comparison of the main ones entrepreneurs ask about.
| Program | Funding Amount | Who Qualifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Company Plus | Up to $5,000 | Ontario residents 18+, not full-time students, new or early-stage business | Requires a 25% matching contribution (cash or in-kind); delivered through local Small Business Enterprise Centres |
| Summer Company | Up to $3,000 | Students aged 15–29 starting a summer business | Includes mentoring and a business plan workshop |
| NOHFC (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund) | Covers up to 50% of eligible costs | Businesses launching or expanding in Northern Ontario | Tied to specific postal codes and regional job-creation targets |
| Futurpreneur Canada | Up to $75,000 (loan, not a grant) | Entrepreneurs aged 18–39 | Combines Futurpreneur and BDC financing with up to two years of mentorship |
| Regional Development Program | Cost-share, varies by project | Manufacturers and exporters in Eastern/Southwestern Ontario | Focused on productivity and market expansion, not startup costs |
figures above reflect publicly listed 2026 program details; always confirm current amounts and intake dates directly with the program before applying, since budgets and eligibility windows shift year to year.
How Do I Apply for Starter Company Plus?
Starter Company Plus is the program most first-time founders ask about, so it’s worth walking through the actual steps.
- Contact your local Small Business Enterprise Centre (Ontario has more than 50 of them, one per region).
- Attend an intake session or complete an initial eligibility screening.
- Submit a business plan – most centres provide a template.
- Complete the required training hours (commonly up to 15).
- Confirm your matching contribution (cash or eligible in-kind assets covering at least 25% of the grant).
- Wait for adjudication; approved applicants typically receive funds in installments tied to milestones, not as a lump sum.
Because the program is delivered locally, requirements can vary slightly by centre – a founder applying through the Ottawa centre may face a different intake calendar than one applying through Hamilton’s.
Do You Need to Be Incorporated to Get a Business Grant in Ontario?
Not always, but it helps more than most applicants expect. Sole proprietors and partnerships are eligible for many programs, including Starter Company Plus. But grant reviewers consistently favor applicants who can show a registered legal structure, because it signals the business is operating formally and has a traceable business number with the CRA.
For larger programs – NOHFC funding, most federal innovation grants, and anything tied to hiring or payroll subsidies – incorporation is often a hard requirement, not a preference. If you’re planning to scale past the “side hustle” stage, registering an Ontario corporation before you apply removes an entire category of rejection risk.
How Do I Register an Ontario Corporation?
Incorporating provincially in Ontario is handled through the Ontario Corporation Registry (Ontario Business Registry - OBR) under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA). The process is largely self-serve online.
Choose Your Corporation Name
Register a named corporation or choose a numbered corporation, which skips the name search process.
Obtain a NUANS Report
If using a business name, order a NUANS Report to verify your proposed name is available. Typical cost: $50–$100.
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles through the Ontario Business Registry, including your registered office, directors and share structure.
Pay Government Filing Fee
Complete your online filing by paying the government fee (approximately $300).
Receive Your Certificate
Most straightforward online incorporations receive their Certificate of Incorporation within minutes.
Register CRA Accounts
Apply for your CRA Business Number and any required HST or Payroll accounts when needed.
Want Someone to Handle Everything?
Instead of managing the NUANS search, name reservation, and Articles of Incorporation yourself, many entrepreneurs choose Biz Ontario .
More than 5,000 businesses have successfully incorporated through Biz Ontario. Their done-for-you filing service helps ensure your paperwork is completed accurately the first time - especially if you're working toward grant eligibility or a tight deadline.
Incorporate Your Ontario Corporation →Ontario Incorporation vs. Federal Incorporation: Which Should You Choose?
This decision comes up constantly, especially for founders who plan to operate outside Ontario eventually.
- Ontario (provincial) incorporation costs about $300 and is the simpler, cheaper route if you’re only operating within the province.
- Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada costs about $200, but if you’re doing business in Ontario, you’ll also need to register extra-provincially, which adds roughly $330 – bringing the effective total above the provincial route.
- Federal incorporation makes more sense if you’re planning multi-province operations from day one, since it gives you name protection across Canada.
My rule of thumb with early-stage clients: unless you already have a concrete reason to operate in more than one province within the next 12 months, provincial incorporation through the Ontario registry is the lower-friction, lower-cost choice – and it satisfies the legal-entity requirement most grant programs are checking for.
How Does Incorporation Status Affect Which Grants You Can Access?
Here’s the original insight that doesn’t show up in most grant round-up articles: the order of operations matters more than the funding amount. I’ve watched founders spend six weeks assembling a strong Starter Company Plus application, only to get flagged during adjudication because their business number didn’t match the legal name on their bank account. Incorporating first – even a simple numbered corporation – and then applying for grants keeps every downstream document consistent: your CRA business number, your bank account, your grant application, and eventually your T2 corporate tax return.
If you’re still deciding between a sole proprietorship and incorporating, and you already know you’ll be applying for grants, the incorporation paperwork is worth doing before you submit anything, not after a reviewer asks for it.
Are There Grants for Specific Groups of Ontario Entrepreneurs?
Yes. In addition to general small business grants, Ontario and the federal government offer funding programs designed for entrepreneurs from specific communities and industries. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for more than one program.
Women Entrepreneurs
Access targeted funding through Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) programs, along with federal opportunities under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.
Youth (15–29)
Programs such as Summer Company and Futurpreneur Canada provide grants, financing and mentorship for young founders.
Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Dedicated provincial and federal funding supports Indigenous-owned businesses, often delivered through Indigenous financial institutions and community partners.
Northern Ontario
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) provides funding that can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs for qualifying businesses in eligible regions.
Exporters & Manufacturers
Regional Development Program funding helps businesses expand, improve productivity, and grow exports through cost-sharing support.
Funding Tip
If you qualify under multiple categories, don't assume you can apply to only one program. Many grant programs are not mutually exclusive, so it's worth reviewing each program's eligibility separately to maximize your funding opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are business grants in Ontario taxable?
Generally, yes. Grant income is typically treated as taxable business income by the CRA, so factor it into your projected tax bill rather than treating it as free money.
How long does Ontario Business Registry incorporation take?
Online filings through the Ontario Business Registry are often processed within minutes for straightforward Articles of Incorporation, though complex filings or those requiring manual review can take longer.
Can a sole proprietor apply for Ontario government grants?
Yes, many programs - including Starter Company Plus - accept sole proprietors and partnerships, but larger or sector-specific programs increasingly require a registered corporation.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in Ontario?
No. You can file Articles of Incorporation yourself through the Ontario Business Registry for the base government fee. A lawyer becomes useful once you need a custom share structure, shareholder agreements, or multiple share classes.
What's the difference between a grant and a loan like Futurpreneur's?
A grant doesn't need to be repaid; Futurpreneur's funding is a loan, which must be repaid over time, though it comes with more favourable terms and structured mentorship than typical commercial financing.