Financing your new business

Entrepreneurs often report that getting financing is the most challenging aspect of starting a business. There are both government and private-sector sources of financing that you can tap into to get your business off the ground.

Government financing

The government provides financing to help entrepreneurs like you start a business. Some of this financing is targeted at specific demographic groups and industry sectors, and some of it is available to a wider audience. The financing includes grants and contributions (which generally do not have to be repaid), loans, and loan guarantees (which generally do have to be repaid).

• Aerospace Tax Holiday
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  Your PEI aerospace business may be eligible for a tax rebate.
• Agriculture Financial Services Corporation Lending
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  Access loans and services to start or grow farm, agribusiness or other small business.
• ATB BoostR
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  This crowdfunding platform can help your Alberta business raise money through a community of supporters, in exchange for a reward.
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grants
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  Learn about grants and resources for artists in Alberta.
• APEX Investment Fund
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  If your business is in one of three key industry sectors, you may be able to attract an equity investment of up to $5 million from this private fund.
• Appui financier à la relève dans le secteur de la capture
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you between the ages of 18 and 39 and want to buy your first fishing business? If so, you may be eligible for financial support to do so.
• ATB Financial
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  If you are looking for money to help you start or operate your small business in Alberta, you may be eligible for financing opportunities.
• Atlantic Association of Community Business Development Corporations
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandNova ScotiaNew Brunswick
  If you live in a rural region of Atlantic Canada, you can access business counselling, financing and training to help start or grow your business.
• AVAC Ltd.
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  If you operate a new Alberta agricultural business, you can apply for money for R&D; and to help you market your product or service.
• BDC Buying a businessFind out how you could get financing to buy an existing business.
• BDC CapitalAccess a wide range of specialized financing to match the various stages of growth of your business.
• BDC business loansYou could get money to help you start or grow your business.
• BDC Financing for starting a businessLearn how you could get a loan to start or buy a business or to buy property or equipment to set up your business.
• BDC Small Business Loan — for existing businessGet a loan of up to $100,000 within 5 business days. There are no application fees or hassles and the entire process is online.
• Black Business Initiative — Financial support
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  As an African Nova Scotian entrepreneur, you could access a loan of up to $25,000 to start or expand your business.
• Investment Attraction Fund
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  You could get a loan or equity investment to establish your company in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Business Development Program
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandNova ScotiaNew Brunswick
  Access funds to start, expand or improve your business in Atlantic Canada.
• Business Start Program
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Are you ready to begin your business journey? Access this 3-day business workshop and loan guarantee program to start things off on the right foot.
• Canada Small Business Financing ProgramAccess funds for your small business with the help of this loan guarantee program.
• Canadian Agricultural Loans Act programFind out how this loan guarantee could help you secure credit for your farming business.
• CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandNova ScotiaNew Brunswick
  If you're a first-time entrepreneur living in a rural community in Atlantic Canada, you could get help to buy an existing business or start your own.
• CBDC General Business Loan
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandNova ScotiaNew Brunswick
  If you’re an entrepreneur living in a rural community in Atlantic Canada, you could get help to expand your existing business or buy a new one.
• Centre for Entrepreneurship Education Development — Financing
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  If you live in Halifax, Dartmouth or Bedford, you may be eligible for several financing programs to help fund your venture.
• City of Saskatoon Business Development Incentives Program
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Your business may be eligible for a tax abatement from the City of Saskatoon.
• Community Business Development Corporations — Social Enterprise Loan
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandNova ScotiaNew Brunswick
  You could get a loan of up to $150,000 to start-up, renovate or grow your social enterprise in rural Atlantic Canada.
• Community Futures Self Employment Program
  Only Applies to : British Columbia
  If you live in BC and are underemployed, unemployed or have made an EI claim in recent years, you could get help to start a business.
• Craft Business Development
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Access skills development and funding assistance to develop or grow your craft business in Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave.
• Development Capital
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could receive funding of $2 million or more for your growth project.
• Direct Equity Tax Credit Program
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  Invest in a new or expanding small business in Newfoundland and Labrador and receive a provincial income tax credit.
• Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities: Financing
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  If you are a Francophone living in Manitoba, you may be able to get financing to start or grow a business.
• Economic Development Initiative (Southern Ontario)
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Funding may be available for your organization if you provide business support services in French to a Francophone community in southern Ontario.
• Entrepreneur Loan Program
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  You may be eligible to receive up to $100,000 directly from authorized lenders backed by a government guarantee for your new or expanding business.
• ESSOR Program — Funding support for development projects
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could get funding to create a new business, or to upgrade your processes or facilities.
• FACTOR funding for the sound recording industryIf your business operates in the English sound recording industry in Canada, you could qualify for funding to support various business activities.
• Farm Credit Canada — loans and lending optionsYou could access flexible financing options for your farming, agri-food or agribusiness operation.
• FarmNEXT
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  As a new farmer, you could be eligible for funding to reduce the loan principal on your first commercial business by up to $30,000.
• Fishing Licence Loan Program
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Apply for a loan to buy a New Entrant or New Species fishing licence.
• Fonds afro-entrepreneurs — Loans to Afro-Québécois businesspeople
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you a member of one of Quebec's black communities? You could receive a loan or loan guarantee for your business' needs.
• Fonds d'aide à l'économie de Lac-Mégantic
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could receive financial assistance if you carry out studies or projects promoting economic and tourism development in the town of Lac-Mégantic.
• Fonds d'appui au rayonnement des régions
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you have a development project that meets a regional priority, with the exception of the Capitale-Nationale and Montreal, you could receive funding.
• Fonds de développement économique de la région de la Capitale-Nationale
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could get financial assistance if your project has a structuring effect on the economic development of the National Capital Region.
• Fonds de diversification économique du Centre-du-Québec et de la Mauricie
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you looking to start or expand your business development project in the Centre-du-Québec and Mauricie regions? You could get financial support.
• Fonds de diversification économique — MRC des Sources
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you looking to start or expand your business development project in the Regional County Municipality of Des Sources? You could get financial assistance.
• Fonds d'investissement en agroalimentaire Nicolet-Yamaska
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could receive financial assistance of up to $10,000 to start or expand your non-conventional-sized agri-food business.
• Fonds d'investissement pour la relève agricole
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you an agricultural entrepreneur 39 years old or younger? You may be eligible for assistance to acquire or lease agricultural land with option to purchase.
• Fonds Jeunes Entreprises
  Only Applies to : QuebecMontréal-EstMontréal-EstAnjouSaint-LéonardMontréal-NordMontréalMontréalWestmountWestmountVerdunLaSalleMontréal-OuestMontréal-OuestCôte-Saint-LucLachineCôte-Saint-LucHampsteadHampsteadOutremontMont-RoyalMont-RoyalSaint-LaurentDorvalDorvalL'Île-DorvalPointe-ClairePointe-ClaireKirklandKirklandBeaconsfieldBeaconsfieldBaie-d'UrféSainte-Anne-de-BellevueSainte-Anne-de-BellevueSennevilleSennevillePierrefondsSainte-GenevièveDollard-des-OrmeauxDollard-Des OrmeauxRoxboroL'Île-Bizard
  If you are an entrepreneur living on the Island of Montreal, you could get a grant to start or grow your business.
• Fonds Tourisme PME
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you are starting a business or have a growth project in the tourism industry, you may qualify for a loan of up to $250,000.
• Forestry Financing
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you are a forestry producer in Quebec, you could benefit from support and funding for your private woodlot development projects.
• Grants and professional development — Arts sector
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Are you a Saskatchewan resident looking for funding or professional development in the arts? Learn about the various programs available to entrepreneurs.
• Grants for registered family child care homes
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  Thinking of starting a registered family child care home in Newfoundland and Labrador? You may be eligible for start-up grants and yearly supplements.
• Impact Loan program
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  If you are starting or expanding your business in the London area and you cannot access traditional financing, you may qualify for a loan of up to $5,000.
• Industry-Academic Collaboration Programs
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Learn about financing and support that may help you develop and commercialize innovative techniques, products and services in Ontario.
• Investment Fund Grant Programs
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  If you are an artist or creative producer in Saskatchewan with a product ready to sell, you can apply to receive a grant to support your efforts.
• Jeunes entreprises collectives
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you operate a collective start-up, you could receive funding of at least $23,000 in the form of a grant, subsidy or loan.
• Junior Exploration Assistance Program
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  You could receive a grant to conduct advanced mineral exploration and prospecting activities.
• Local investment fund
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Apply for financing to start or expand a business in Quebec.
• Local Poverty Reduction Fund
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Your registered charity, not-for-profit or Indigenous-led organization may be eligible for a grant for sustainable projects that aim to reduce poverty.
• Marketing Support Program
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  You could obtain financial assistance for marketing costs from start-up through to international exporting.
• Metis-Dene Development Fund
  Only Applies to : Northwest Territories
  You could get a loan to help you develop your business in the Northwest Territories.
• Micro-Loan Program
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  You may be eligible to receive financing to help start or expand your PEI-based business.
• MicroEntreprendre
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could obtain microfinancing from this network to start a business in Quebec.
• Music PEI Funding Program
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  If you are a musical artist from PEI, you may apply for a grant to assist you in developing your craft.
• New Business Growth Program
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  If you are an established musician in PEI, you could get help in developing your career, particularly through revenue streams.
• New Entrant Farmer Loan Program
  Only Applies to : New Brunswick
  You could get up to $750,000 in loans to help you buy a farm.
• Nunavut Business Credit Corporation
  Only Applies to : Nunavut
  You could get up to $1 million to start or grow a business in Nunavut.
• Ontario Catapult Microloan Fund for Social Enterprises
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  You may be eligible for a loan of $5,000 to $25,000 for your innovative Ontario-based social enterprise.
• Opportunities Fund for Persons with DisabilitiesIf you are a person with a disability who wants to start a business or if would like to hire someone with a disability, you could qualify for funds.
• PME MTL Fund
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could obtain a loan and technical assistance to carry out your business project if you have a business in Montreal at the start-up or development stage.
• Prêt à entreprendre
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Are you starting a business or thinking of buying an existing one in Quebec? If so, you could get a loan on trust and support services.
• Programme de soutien à la reprise collective
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Do you want to transfer or buy a business? If so, you can receive funding to help you.
• Prospectors Assistance
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  You could receive funding for mineral exploration activities and prospector training.
• Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP)
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  Find out about financial and other resources that can help you develop your Quebec business.
• Self-Employ PEI
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  Interested in starting your own business? If you are currently unemployed, you may be eligible to receive benefits to help you do so.
• Self-Employment Assistance
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  If you are unemployed and want to create a job for yourself by starting your own business, you may be eligible for financial and entrepreneurial assistance.
• Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion
  Only Applies to : New Brunswick
  Do you want to start a business and be your own boss? Find out about a program that could help you get started.
• Self Employment Option
  Only Applies to : Northwest Territories
  Interested in starting your own business in the NWT? If you are unemployed, you could continue to receive benefits and get help to start your business.
• Self Employment Program (Manitoba)
  Only Applies to : Manitoba
  Are you collecting Employment and Income Assistance? Are you ready to be your own boss? The Self Employment Program might be the next step for you.
• Self-Employment Program (Saskatchewan)
  Only Applies to : Saskatchewan
  Are you currently unemployed and interested in starting your own business? You can apply to get training and support.
• Self-Employment Program (Alberta)
  Only Applies to : Alberta
  If you are unemployed, you could get self-employment training, continue to receive benefits, and get assistance for living expenses.
• Self-Employment Program (Nova Scotia)
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Get support and training to start a business to create your own job.
• Support for Self-Employment
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could get financial and technical support to start a business or create your own job.
• Small Business Assistance
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  You could obtain a small business loan to purchase or expand a business, to consolidate debt, or undertake new construction.
• Social Enterprise Loan Program (Support)
  Only Applies to : St. John'sMount Pearl
  Your non-profit organization could receive funding to start or grow a social enterprise.
• Social Enterprise Ontario
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  Your social enterprise with an environmental or social goal for Francophones may be eligible for grants of up to $16,000 or loans of up to $40,000.
• Starter Company Plus
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  You may be eligible for funding of up to $5,000 and business skills training to help you a start or expand a business.
• Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development
  Only Applies to : Northwest Territories
  You may be eligible to receive financial support to start a new business or improve your business' capacity.
• Support for Québec Farm Business Development
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  If you run development projects for your agriculture and agri-food business, you could be eligible for an investment grant.
• New Small Business Tax Deduction
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Find out how you can avoid paying Nova Scotia corporate income tax for the first 3 years of your new incorporated business.
• Prince's Operation EntrepreneurIf you are a transitioning Canadian Armed Forces member looking to establish a small business, this program could be for you.
• Toronto Enterprise Fund
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  You could receive funding to start or manage a social enterprise that provides employment or training for socially marginalized people.
• Tourism Financing Assistance
  Only Applies to : Prince Edward Island
  If you own a tourism establishment, you may be able to get a loan to buy, build, renovate or expand your business or consolidate debts.
• Town of Conception Bay South Business Incentive Programs
  Only Applies to : Newfoundland and Labrador
  If you are opening a business or expanding an existing business in the Town of Conception Bay South, you can apply for a business tax reduction.
• SMBs and Large Corporations — Project Financing
  Only Applies to : Quebec
  You could get a loan, a loan guarantee or financing in "quasi-equity" for up to 100% of project costs related to the growth of your business.
• Vessel Loan Program
  Only Applies to : Nova Scotia
  Apply for a loan to purchase, build or modify your fishing vessel.
• York Entrepreneurship Development Institute programs
  Only Applies to : Ontario
  You may be able to access training, certification, and mentoring for your innovative small business or established not-for-profit enterprise.

Private-sector financing

You can also turn to the private sector for financing for your business. You can look to Canada's major financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, and cooperatives. Depending on the type of business you want to start, you might also be able to secure venture capital or financing from angel investors.

• Sources of private sector financing
  Find out about the debt and equity financing available from the private sector for your business needs.

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