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Innovation Expansion

Before pursuing larger funding opportunities, businesses typically have:

  • Consistent revenue or signed contracts
  • Financial records and statements
  • A defined growth strategy
  • A clear expansion plan 
  • The capacity to manage larger capital investments
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Business Tools & Advisory Services

Tools, strategic advisory, and networks to help identify large-scale funding, partnerships, and expansion opportunities.
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Business Benefits Finder

A free, online tool that provides a tailored list of government programs and services for your business. Results include grants, loans, advisory services, tariff support, and more.

Search across federal, provincial and territorial programs tailored to your business.

Eligibility requirements vary by program.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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GrantWatch

A searchable directory of grants, loans and funding opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits.

GrantWatch provides access to thousands of funding listings. Paid subscription tiers include detailed eligibility requirements, grant alerts, and proposal writing tools.
Eligibility varies by individual funding opportunities.

Region: Global

Find more information here.

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Foundersuite

An all-in-one software platform designed to help entrepreneurs manage the fundraising process and investor relationships.

Foundersuite provides tools and resources to help startups organize and streamline funding. 
Features include:
- Investor database
- CRM for investor outreach
- Startup legal documents and templates
- Fundraising management tools

Note: Use code IC10 for 10% off services. 

Find more information here.

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Tax Credits

The CRA provides a range of federal tax credits aimed to help you and your business save money.

Best for: Those looking to reduce their tax liability and reduce their taxable income.
Eligibility varies based on business activity.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Health Innovation Pathway

A program designed to accelerate the evaluation and adoption of innovative health technologies within Ontario's healthcare system.

Typical eligibility includes:

  • Having Health Canada approval
  • Must be Technology Readiness Level 8 or higher

Find more information here.

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Innovation Venture Farm

Mentorship and investor connections for entrepreneurs developing innovative businesses. 

Supporting founders through mentorship, advisory services, and connections to investors through their network of managers and industry experts.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Ontario Centres of Innovation (OCI)

Funding and support programs designed to help Ontario-based companies develop, commercialize, and scale innovative technologies.

OCI offers a range of programs supporting businesses across different stages of growth, including:
- Early-stage and co-investment funding
- Product development and commercialization support
- Sector-focused innovation programs
- Access to technical resources and expertise

Region: Ontario

Find more information here.

Loans & Financing

Growth-focused financing options to support expansion, hiring, capital investment, and operational scaling.
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Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

A federal program that helps small businesses access loans through participating financial institutions.

This program makes it easier for small businesses to obtain financing by sharing loan risk with lenders. Funds can be used for equipment, leasehold improvements, and other startup or expansion costs. 

Find a participating lender here.

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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) - Business Loans

A range of loan and financing options designed to support Canadian entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. 

Loans include: equipment financing, small business loans, technology and innovation loans, working capital financing and more. 
Eligibility and loan structures vary depending on the program.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Community Futures - Small Business Loans

Micro business loans, inventory loans and expansion loans delivered through local Community Futures organizations.

Applications are submitted through your local Community Futures office.

Region: Canada

Find your local office here.

 

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Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada - National Loan Program

Loans up to $50,000 designed to improve access to financing for women entrepreneurs. 

Supporting women-owned businesses across Canada. In Ontario, applications are delivered through the PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise. 

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (WELF)

A loan program designed to help improve access to financing for women entrepreneurs starting or growing a business, with loan portions being non-repayable.

Supporting activities such as starting a new business, expanding operations, purchasing equipment or inventory, and more.
Loans are delivered through partner organizations across Canada.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Indigenous Women's Entrepreneurship Fund (IWE)

Funding support designed to help Indigenous women start, grow and scale their businesses. Combined financing packages with micro loans and a non-repayable grant component. 

Funding may support activities such as business expansion, equipment or tech upgrades, market development and more.

Region: Canada 

Find more information here.

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Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Tis collaborative fund between financial institutions and government partners helps Black entrepreneurs access capital to start or grow their business. Loans up to $250,000.

Appilcants must provide a business plan, financial statements and projections, tax returns and identification.

Applications are submitted through FACE (Federation of African Canadian Economics).

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Nishawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)

Providing loans, business training and support programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in Northern Ontario.

Helping Indigenous entrepreneurs starting, growing or expanding their business. Typical eligibility includes being 18+, of Indigenous heritage and located in Northern Ontario.

Region: Northern Ontario

Find more information here.

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SOFII Loan Program

This program, offered through Community Futures Eastern Ontario, provides loans ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 to support business growth, job creation and regional economic development.

Typical eligibility includes:
- Employ 50-500 employees
- Demonstrate strong growth potential
- Have a strategic plan to create or retain jobs
- Unable to secure sufficient financing from traditional lenders
- Provide required matching funding

Region: Southern Ontario

Find more information here.

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Kawartha Lakes CFDC

The Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation provides loans and advisory services supporting entrepreneurs in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Providing financing and business advisory services designed to help local entrepreneurs start, expand, or strengthen their business.

Region: Kawartha Lakes

Applications are submitted through Launch Kawartha.

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Regional Defence Investment Initiative

Repayable, interest-free funding to help businesses grow within Canada's defence and security sectors. 

Funding helps businesses strengthen manufacturing, technology development, and commercialization. Typical eligibility includes being an incorporated, for-profit business, employ at least 5 full-time employees and be active in defence supply chains.

Region: Southern Ontario

Find more information here. 

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RBCx - Early Stage Startup Banking

Providing founder-friendly banking services and advisory support for technology-focused businesses from startup through growth and expansion. 

Supports includes banking and credit solutions, strategic financial guidance and networking connections.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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FedDev Ontario

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario offers repayable funding to support businesses as they innovate, grow, and scale. 

Funding is typically offered as repayable contributions, often covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. 
Must be a for-profit business with at least 5 full-time employees, incorporated and operating for at least 3 years, and focused on innovation and growth.

Region: Southern Ontario

Find more information here.

Angel Investors

Early-stage investors who provide capital, mentorship, and connections to help startups grow, typically in exchange for equity.
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Angel Investors Durham

A network of private investors who provide early-stage capital and mentorship to startups, often in exchange for equity or convertible debt. 

Companies seeking angel investment should typically have financial statements and projections (up to 5 years), a product prototype and a clear investment pitch.

Helpful preparation resources include an Angel Readiness Quiz and Angel Readiness Checklist.

Find more information here.

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Maple Leaf Angels

Toronto's largest angel investor network connecting startups with accredited investors.

Members invest in seed and early-stage companies, while providing mentorship, guidance, and industry connections.

Region: Ontario 

Fund all funds available here.

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Angel Investment Network

An online platform that helps entrepreneurs to build and pitch to a network of investors across Canada.

The platform provides pitch templates and guidance, access to a network of investors and funds, and direct messaging and connection tools. 

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Angel Investors Ontario

A network that connects Ontario's angel investors with innovation-driven startups. 

Bringing together angel investors across the province to support early-stage companies through capital investment, mentorship, advisory services and access to investor networks. 

Region: Ontario

Find more information here.

Venture Capital

Equity investment for high-growth companies looking to scale quickly, enter new markets, or raise significant capital. 
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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) - Venture Capital

BDC Capital invests in startups and high-growth companies through a variety of funds focused on different technologies and industries.

Investment is provided in exchange for equity ownership, alongside strategic guidance and access to industry networks.

Region: Canada 

Fund all funds available here.

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BKR Capital

Canada's first institutional venture capital firm led by Black investors. Investing in innovative early-stage companies.

Typically eligibility: have at least one Black founder, pre-seed or seed stage, and having product-market fit and large market potential.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

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Venbridge

A searchable directory of venture capital firms across Canada. 

Helping founders explore Canadian venture capital firms by stage, focus area, and location.

Region: Canada

Find more information here.

Intellectual Property

Support to strengthen, manage, and commercialize IP as a key business asset.
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Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)

Funding and expert support for Ontario companies to develop, protect and leverage intellectual property.

Looking for those in high-growth sectors with the ability to demonstrate economic or social benefit. 
Funding can cover up to 80% of eligible costs.

Region: Ontario

Find more information here.

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ElevateIP

Funding and expert support to help Canadian startups develop intellectual property strategies. 
Sprocket Rocket lets you transform your rapid prototype into a beautiful design by adjusting every aspect to fit brand standards.