7 programs on this page
The townships have a few programs the cities don't: Wellesley's improvement grants, Woolwich's tourism funding and the rural loans from Wellington Waterloo Community Futures. Start-up grants come through the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.
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
$500 to $7,500 per project or property depending on the program, up to $10,000 for priority sites
The Township of Wellesley offers 9 grant programs under its Community Improvement Plan, updated in 2025. They cover fees, studies, façades and signs, building and accessibility work, conversions, extra housing units, agri-tourism, placemaking and sustainability. Owners, and tenants with the owner's consent, can apply.
Township of WellesleyWellesley
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
Paid for verified capacity delivered; rates not stated on the official page
GrandBridge Energy pays business customers to cut their electricity use during summer peak periods. Customers bid the amount they can cut, and GrandBridge picks bids based on cost and grid needs. It's for business customers in Cambridge and North Dumfries who can cut at least 25 kW.
GrandBridge EnergyCambridge, North Dumfries
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
Destination Development Fund up to $4,000 (15% applicant share); Marketing Material Fund up to $1,500 (50% match)
Two Township of Woolwich funds that help local businesses and organizations build tourism products and marketing aimed at visitors. Projects must be finished within the calendar year of the application. The 2026 round is closed.
Township of WoolwichWoolwich
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
