Small Business Grants in Ontario (2026)

Q: Do Ontario grants have to be paid back?

True grants like Starter Company Plus do not. Financing programs and loans do. Always confirm whether a program is a grant, a loan, or a tax credit before you build a plan around it.

Ontario has more small-business funding than any province: grants, loans, training, and hiring support. Here are the programs worth knowing in 2026 and how to find the ones you qualify for.

Ontario has more small-business funding floating around than any other province — grants, loans, hiring support, training money, and tax credits, spread across city, provincial, and federal programs. The catch is that it’s scattered across a dozen websites, and most of it is quiet about who actually qualifies. Here are the Ontario programs worth knowing in 2026, and a faster way to find the ones with your name on them.

Who this is for

If you run — or are about to start — a business based in Ontario, some of this is aimed at you. The programs below cover a range of situations: brand-new founders, students, main-street shops going digital, employers who want to hire or train, and businesses in Northern and rural Ontario. You don’t need to be a tech startup. Cafés, trades, salons, and retailers pull from these every year.

The Ontario programs worth knowing

Amounts and intake windows shift year to year, so use these as a shortlist to chase down, not a guarantee.

Starter Company Plus Up to $5,000

The flagship for new and growing Ontario businesses. You get training, a mentor, and a grant of up to $5,000. It runs through your local Small Business Enterprise Centre, so availability and intake dates depend on your region — find your nearest centre and ask what’s open.

Summer Company Up to $3,000

For students aged 15 to 29 returning to school in the fall. Run a summer business, get mentorship, and earn up to $3,000 — typically paid in two parts, some at the start and the rest once you finish. A great first taste of running something real.

Canada–Ontario Job Grant Training support

If you want to train staff, this covers the majority of eligible training costs, up to a set amount per employee. It’s one of the most-used and least-known programs for Ontario employers — especially handy when you’re upskilling a team rather than hiring.

Digital Main Street Go-digital grant

Aimed at main-street and brick-and-mortar businesses building an online presence. When funding rounds are open, it offers a grant plus hands-on help to set up a website, online store, or digital marketing. Availability comes and goes, so check whether a round is live in your municipality.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) Northern ON

If your business is in Northern Ontario, NOHFC runs some of the most generous provincial funding around — support for startups, expansions, and hiring. Worth a serious look if you’re north of the usual programs’ reach.

Don’t forget the federal side. On top of these, Ontario businesses can tap national programs like Futurpreneur (young founders), the Canada Small Business Financing Program (loans), Canada Summer Jobs (wage support), and FedDev Ontario. Stack the provincial and federal layers and the total available is bigger than most owners realize.

See your Ontario matches in one place

Skip the dozen tabs. Tell Inceptium your industry, stage, and location, and get a ranked shortlist of the Ontario and federal programs you actually qualify for — free to start.

Get your matches free →

How to actually land one

Get clear on what the money is for — hiring, training, going digital, equipment. Ontario programs are tied to specific purposes, and knowing yours narrows the list fast.
Check eligibility line by line before you invest time. A revenue cap, a location requirement, or a “must not have started yet” clause can quietly disqualify a strong application.
Apply before you spend. Most grants won’t reimburse costs you’ve already paid — line up approval first.
Mind the intake windows. Several of these open and close on a schedule or run out of budget mid-year. Being early matters.

Frequently asked questions

What grants can a new small business in Ontario get?

New Ontario businesses most often start with Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000 plus training) or, for eligible students, Summer Company. From there, training grants and go-digital programs open up as you grow.

Do Ontario grants have to be paid back?

True grants like Starter Company Plus don’t. Financing programs and loans do. Always confirm whether a program is a grant, a loan, or a tax credit before you build a plan around it.

How do I find the Ontario grants I qualify for?

Create a free Inceptium profile, describe your business once, and we’ll match you to the Ontario and federal programs you’re eligible for and flag new ones as they open.

Funding programs change often. This guide is reviewed regularly, but always confirm the details and deadlines on the official program page before you apply, or let Inceptium keep track for you.