5 programs on this page
Kitchener's own business funding is mostly for downtown storefronts and designated heritage buildings. Start-up grants come through the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, and most other help comes from Ontario and federal programs that any Kitchener business can look at.
No per-grant maximum stated; about $50,000 to $60,000 is shared among successful applicants this window
The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation gives grants for projects that preserve, study or celebrate the heritage of Waterloo Region. There are property, project or event, and publication grants. Any individual or group in the Region can apply.
Waterloo Regional Heritage FoundationAll of Waterloo Region
Up to $10,000 per street address or storefront ($20,000 corner lot with work on both frontages, $30,000 for buildings with multiple storefronts)
A City of Kitchener grant for street-facing façade work on downtown buildings. It can pay up to half the cost of a project. It's for property owners and tenants in the Downtown Community Improvement Area with a commercial use on the ground floor.
City of KitchenerKitchener
Up to $5,000, with a 25% personal contribution
An Ontario program delivered in Waterloo Region by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. It combines an 8-week training program and mentoring with a chance to pitch for a grant of up to $5,000. It's for people starting, buying or growing a business under 5 years old in Waterloo Region.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, funded in part by the Government of OntarioAll of Waterloo Region
Up to $3,000
An Ontario program for students aged 15 to 29 who want to run their own business over the summer, delivered locally by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. It offers up to $3,000 plus training and mentoring. Students must be returning to school after the summer.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, funded in part by the Government of OntarioAll of Waterloo Region
Grant up to 50% of eligible costs: $500 minimum, $5,000 maximum for General Projects, $15,000 for Special Projects. Tax refund up to 40%.
Two City of Kitchener supports for owners of designated heritage property. The grant can pay up to half the cost of conserving, rebuilding or restoring significant heritage features. Owners of designated property may also be able to get a property tax refund of up to 40%.
City of KitchenerKitchener
Up to 50% of the provincial adult minimum hourly wage for private and public sector employers (up to 100% for not-for-profits)
Employment and Social Development CanadaAll of Canada
Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)All of Ontario
$125,000 to $5 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)All of Ontario
Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan: up to $15,000. Retail Modernization Project Grant: up to $5,000. Technology Demonstration Program: up to $50,000 (closed).
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)All of Ontario
Liquidity help up to $2 million for up to 12 months (non-repayable, up to 50% of costs). Pivot projects up to $1 million non-repayable (up to 50%), or over $1 million repayable (up to 75%). Up to $3 million non-repayable and $20 million in total.
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)All of Ontario
Up to $99,999 for individual Indigenous entrepreneurs; up to $250,000 for eligible Indigenous community businesses
Indigenous Services Canada, administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) through Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital CorporationsAll of Canada
Up to $17,000 per apprentice, paid in $1,000 steps as the apprentice finishes in-class levels and earns their certificate, with registration and extra payments for some apprentices.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)All of Ontario
$10,000 to $350,000 for the Small Business Loan. BDC lists other loans for larger or specific needs.
BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada)All of Canada
Loans of $10,000 to $250,000. FACE says start-ups get up to $50,000 and existing businesses up to $250,000.
Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), with BDCAll of Canada
Up to $1.15 million in total: up to $1 million in term loans and up to $150,000 in lines of credit
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through banks and credit unionsAll of Canada
25% to 30% of the student's wages and agency fees, up to $3,000 per work placement.
Government of Ontario (administered by the Canada Revenue Agency)All of Ontario
No dollar amounts stated on the official pages. EDC's small business group covers businesses with revenue up to $10 million.
Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Trade Commissioner ServiceAll of Canada
Normally $125,000 to $10 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)All of Ontario
Up to $75,000 in total: up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur and up to $50,000 from BDC
Futurpreneur Canada, with BDCAll of Canada
Not stated on the official page. Funding is decided case by case and usually comes after a period of advice.
National Research Council of CanadaAll of Canada
No money. Free export consulting, webinars and workshops, plus business missions.
Government of OntarioAll of Ontario
Innovation Tax Credit: 8% refundable, on up to $3 million of spending (max $240,000 a year). R&D Tax Credit: 3.5% non-refundable, no maximum stated.
Government of Ontario (administered by the Canada Revenue Agency)All of Ontario
40% of eligible Ontario labour and marketing costs for products you sell yourself; 35% of labour for products made for a client. No overall maximum is stated.
Ontario Creates and the Canada Revenue AgencyAll of Ontario
Up to $10,000 per trainee. Employers with under 100 staff can get up to $15,000 per trainee for a new hire who was unemployed.
Government of Ontario (Employment Ontario)All of Ontario
Typically 10% to 20% of eligible project costs, up to $5 million. Up to 75% only for projects with exceptional benefit to Ontario.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario
Up to $5,500 in installed upgrades at no cost: up to $3,000 for lighting and up to $2,500 for refrigeration and smart thermostats.
Save on Energy (Independent Electricity System Operator)All of Ontario
35% of qualified SR&ED spending up to $6 million a year for most Canadian-controlled private corporations (tax years starting after December 15, 2024), and 15% on spending above that
Canada Revenue AgencyAll of Canada
Up to $5,000 for each placement offered to a student
Employment and Social Development Canada, through partner organizationsAll of Canada
Loans of up to $50,000
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through delivery organizationsAll of Canada
$10,000 to $50,000 per project, up to 50% of eligible costs (total project value $20,000 to $100,000)
Canadian Trade Commissioner ServiceAll of Canada
