$125,000 to $5 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs
RAII lends interest-free, repayable funding to southern Ontario businesses that are adopting AI or bringing their own AI products to market. You pay it back, normally starting a year after the project ends. There are two streams, with different size and age rules.
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.
SWODF helps established businesses in southwestern Ontario pay for growth projects that create jobs. Most support is an interest-free loan covering up to 15% of project costs. Waterloo and Wellington are on the list of eligible areas.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario
$10,000 to $350,000 for the Small Business Loan. BDC lists other loans for larger or specific needs.
BDC is the federal Crown bank for small businesses. Its Small Business Loan offers $10,000 to $350,000, applied for online, for businesses already making sales and profits. It's a loan you repay with interest.
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.
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund lends $10,000 to $250,000 to Black business owners across Canada. Start-ups can get up to $50,000. FACE runs it in partnership with BDC. It's a loan, repaid with interest.
Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), with BDCAll of Canada
Rural Women in Business Loans up to $250,000; CIP Matching Loan up to $20,000 at 3%; general business loan amounts not stated
Wellington Waterloo Community Futures makes small business loans in rural townships of Waterloo Region and Wellington County. It has general business loans, a 3% CIP Matching Loan for projects approved for a township Community Improvement Plan grant, and loans of up to $250,000 for women in business. Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph are NOT in its service area.
Wellington Waterloo Community FuturesWellesley, Woolwich, North Dumfries, Wilmot
Up to $1.15 million in total: up to $1 million in term loans and up to $150,000 in lines of credit
The CSBFP helps small businesses get loans from banks and credit unions by having the government share the risk with the lender. It's a loan you repay with interest, not a grant. It can be used for equipment, property, leasehold improvements, working capital and more.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through banks and credit unionsAll of Canada
Normally $125,000 to $10 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs
FedDev Ontario lends interest-free, repayable funding to established businesses in southern Ontario for growth projects, such as new products, better productivity or new markets. You pay it back, usually starting a year after the project ends. It's aimed at businesses with at least 5 employees and 3 years in business.
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 lends to Canadians aged 18 to 39 who are starting or buying a business, and pairs them with a mentor for up to 2 years. The loan comes in two parts, one from Futurpreneur and one from BDC. Both are repaid with interest.
The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund offers loans of up to $50,000 to help women start or grow a business, or reach international markets. You apply through a delivery organization, not to the government. In southern Ontario the listed organizations are Nventure and NACCA.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through delivery organizationsAll of Canada
