Resources for Business

Written By Don Rice

As a business owner it's easy to feel overwhelmed or isolated.

Yet, the truth is that you're far from alone!

An abundance of resources, support networks, and opportunities are at your fingertips, waiting to propel your business to new heights. Whether you're seeking financial assistance through grants and loans, looking to amplify your brand with the latest marketing strategies, or are eager to upskill with educational platforms, there's a world of possibilities out there.

Thankfully Hastings County’s Small Business Coordinator, Graham Copestake, has been working to update the current offerings that are available to businesses, please note, some funding opportunities may no longer be available.

Grants/Contests/Awards

CanExport SMEs funding is now open until May 31, 2025.(Get up to $50,000 to cover 50% of costs of exporting products or services to countries where you have little or no sales)

Ontario Together Trade Fund - Financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Futurpreneur - Core startup program and flexible, equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000 including up to $50,000 in financing from BDC

Starter Company Plus Grant (Small Business Centre). Open until May 23, 2025

Summer Company grant 2025  Applications opened May 2. Space is limited and the program reaches capacity quickly!

Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (Up to $10,000 for training)

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (up to 15% funding to a maximum of $5 million)

(SR&ED) Scientific Research and Experimental Development (earn tax incentives that reduce income tax payable) 

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program Open (until funds are used) 

Grants for Theatre Creators (Ontario Arts Council)

Exhibition Assistance (Ontario Arts Council)

Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials (Ontario Arts Council)

2025 - Market Development Travel (Ontario Arts Council)

Open:

100 Women Who Care (Bancroft)

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital

Applied Research and Development Grant
Alliance Grant (R&D partnerships with educational institutions and businesses)

Benefits and Grant Finder (search tool)

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (FACE)

Black Opportunity Fund (contact for current funding availability)

BITS Bucks (Up to $5,000 grant/loan for youth 18-34)

Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (Up to $10,000 for training)

Canadian Digital Adoption Program (Up to $15,000)

CIP Programs – Marmora and Lake, Tweed, Centre Hastings, Bancroft (2024 closed)

Community Futures Development Corp. - Local Initiatives Program (L.I.P.) (Up to $3,500 for incorporated not-for-profits)

Community Futures Development Corp. - Facade Improvement Grant

Digital Main Street (Up to $2,500)

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (up to 15% funding to a maximum of $5 million)

First Nations Women’s Entrepreneurship program (FNWE) (Loans and grants up to $15,000)

Funding for WMCO wood manufacturing members (expenses up to $100,000 at 45% funding)

Futurpreneur - Core startup program and flexible, equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000 including up to $50,000 in financing from BDC

Grow Your Business Online Grant ($2,400)

Hockey Canada - Call for Indigenous Artists 

Honey Bee Health Initiative (cost-sharing up to $25,000)

Mitacs Entrepreneur International (up to $5,000 travel grant)

ODSP Start Up Benefit (Up to $500 for training and business costs)

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (partial funding)

PEFIP (Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program)

R.A.I.S.E (Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs, up to $10,000)

Rhyze Up! (Female-led businesses)

(SR&ED) Scientific Research and Experimental Development (earn tax incentives that reduce income tax payable) 

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (various programs)

Venture-Capital Ready (investment training for women entrepreneurs)

 

See Training and Workforce section for recruitment funding support

 

Loans
December 20 deadline - Funding for businesses in southern Ontario (FedDev)

December 20 deadline - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in southern Ontario (FedDev)

BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) 
BITS Bucks (Business In The Streets) - Up to $5,000 grant/loan for youth 18-34

Black Opportunity Fund 

Business Scale-up and Productivity - FedDev Ontario

Community Economic Development Diversification - FedDev Ontario 

Community Futures 

DELIA - Microloans for underserved women

FACE (Federation of African Canadian Economics)

FCC Women Entrepreneur Program

Futurpreneur - Ages 18-39

IAPO First Nations Farm & Business Financing
PARO - Women
WEOC (Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada)

Marketing

Education

Recruitment

Networking

Professional Associations

Don Rice
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