Small business funding in Canada

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency support for business growth in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Term loans, working capital and advisory services from Canada's development bank for entrepreneurs. This is lending, not grant funding.

Federal support for Black Canadian business owners through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, a National Ecosystem Fund, and a Knowledge Hub.

Rebates of up to 50% on energy-efficient equipment for Nova Scotia businesses, or interest-free financing.

Non-repayable contributions of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $200,000 over 24 months, for businesses starting, innovating, scaling or growing sales.

Repayable term loans for small and medium businesses in strategic growth sectors, priced at the Bank of Canada rate plus 0.5%.

Federal funding of up to $50,000 for small and medium businesses developing new export markets. The current intake closed on 31 August 2026, the next intake has not been announced.

A federal wage subsidy for small businesses, non-profits and public institutions hiring young people aged 15 to 30 for summer positions.

Export credit insurance, working capital guarantees and market knowledge for Canadian companies selling internationally.

Startup financing plus two years of mentorship for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39, often combined with a matching BDC loan.

Up to $25,000 of seed capital for a new innovative venture on PEI, with no matching contribution required.

Start-up financing and non-repayable contributions for Indigenous businesses, through Indigenous Financial Institutions.

Prince Edward Island's economic development agency, running seed and growth funding for Island companies including the Ignition Fund and Small Business Assistance.

A rebate for Nova Scotia companies making large capital investments in innovation, automation or new production processes. Minimum project investment is $350,000.

Funding for New Brunswick companies to access research talent and facilities, for example paying a university lab to solve a technical problem.

Advisory services and cost-shared funding for small and medium businesses developing new technology, delivered through a network of Industrial Technology Advisors.

New Brunswick's business development agency, offering payroll incentives, loan guarantees and free Business Navigator support for permits and regulations.

An earned rebate on eligible gross payroll, paid annually over three to five years once a company hits agreed job-creation targets.

Provinces and territories may offer employer training support under their own programs and rules.

ACOA's main innovation stream for Atlantic Canadian businesses scaling up, commercialising technology, or improving productivity.

Canada's largest federal support for business R&D, refundable and non-refundable tax credits for experimental development and applied research.

A non-repayable grant covering 15% of eligible capital purchases, up to $3,750 a year.

A federal strategy funding women-owned and women-led businesses through ecosystem partners, the WES Loan Fund, and regional delivery organisations.

New Brunswick's employer-facing labour programs, covering workforce training support and wage subsidies for hiring.