Business Expansion Grants
The success of today’s business depends on its ability to leverage its competitive advantage through innovation and exposure to export markets. The Ontario government offers several funding programs that help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) foster development and accelerate growth. The Ontario government offers the following federal and provincial grants.
About the Program
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund offers funding for economic development for businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in eastern Ontario. The fund supports projects that create jobs, encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development, and attract private sector investment.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- Up to 15% of eligible project costs to a maximum grant of $1.5 million
- Investments of more than $10 million that create more than 50 new jobs may be eligible for a loan of up to $5 million
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses must do the following:
- employ a minimum of 10 people;
- commit to creating at least 10 new jobs;
- provide three years of operations/financial statements;
- be located in, or plan to locate to, a community in eastern Ontario; and
- invest a minimum of $500,000 in their project.
- For the regional stream, projects need to do the following:
- focus on economic/business development and job creation in the area;
- align with provincial and regional priorities (e.g., introduce new forms of innovation, take part in province-led economic development initiatives);
- invest more than $100,000 in their project; and
- have private sector support.
About the Program
As part of the Global Expansion Program, the Trade Show Grants, Export Market focus is designed to assist small and medium-size organizations (SMEs) with access to and growth in foreign markets.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- 50% of eligible costs incurred to develop export sales up to a maximum of $30,000
Eligibility Criteria
- SMEs with an export mandate, whose goods and services currently exist and are produced in Ontario
- For-profit organization must be in business and registered for at least 2 years, with a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 500 employees, and less than $500,000 in revenue
About the Program
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to encourage innovation, competitiveness and market development, and adaptability and industry sustainability in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based bio-products sector.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- Up to 35% of eligible project costs
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must fit with one of the six GF2 focus areas:
- Animal & plant health
- Assurance systems (food safety, traceability, animal welfare)
- Business & leadership development
- Environment & climate change adaptation
- Labour productivity enhancements
- Market development
About the Program
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) provides financial support to qualified SMEs in Canada develop innovative technologies.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- 65% for payroll to a maximum of $140,000
Eligibility Criteria
- SMEs in Canada who have been incorporated for a minimum of 2 years, with less than 500 full-time employees
About the Program
The Investing in Business Growth and Productivity (IBGP) initiative focuses on established businesses that have the potential to be global players in accelerating growth and supporting job creation. IBGP supports economic growth and job creation by helping businesses expand their markets and facilities, adopt new technologies and processes that improve productivity, and increase business capacity to participate in global markets and integrate into global value chains.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- Up to 50% of eligible project costs (labour, expertise, non-capital and capital)
Eligibility Criteria
- SMEs located in southern Ontario, with at least 15 employees, a sustainable business model and a profitable track record with the potential to become a strong global player
- Not-for-profit industry associations and/or regional economic development organizations with a history of successfully delivering productivity enhancement initiatives to SMEs
- SMEs with activities related to the following:
- adapting or adopting new technologies, processes, and related skills development;
- business opportunity development, growth and integration in global value chains;
- facilities improvement or expansion;
- market development and expansion; and
- business expansion to support greater economic diversification.
About the Program
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund offers funding for economic development to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in southwestern Ontario. The fund supports projects that create jobs, encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development, and attract private sector investment.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- Up to 15% of eligible project costs to a maximum grant of $1.5 million
- Investments of more than $10 million that create more than 50 new jobs may be eligible for a loan of up to $5 million
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses must do the following:
- employ a min 10 people;
- commit to creating at least 10 new jobs;
- be able to provide three years of operations/financial statements;
- be located in, or plan to locate to, a community in southwestern Ontario; and
- invest at least $500,000 in their project.
- For the regional stream, projects need to do the following:
- focus on economic/business development and job creation in the area;
- align with provincial and regional priorities (e.g., introduce new forms of innovation, take part in province-led economic development initiatives);
- invest more than $100,000; and
- have private sector support.
About the Program
The Yves Landry Foundation combines the collective efforts of industry, the education sector and government to provide opportunities for Canadians to build great careers in manufacturing and technology.
Funding Limits
Ontario | Grants and Non-Repayable Contributions
- 25-50% up to a maximum of $50,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a southern Ontario manufacturer with facilities located in southern Ontario, in business for three or more years, with a solid financial track record and 15-1500 employees