17 Sources of Start-Up Funding In Ontario In 2022

Start-ups cannot grow without funding, but many professionals are unsure of where to find the additional financial assistance they need. In Ontario, numerous financing opportunities are available for start-ups. This list highlights 17 sources of start-up funding in Ontario to help entrepreneurs obtain financing and grow their businesses.

Ontario Start-Up Loans and Equity Capital

Ontario entrepreneurs can seek assistance through loans and equity capital. These opportunities include the following:

MaRS Discovery District: Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)

This program invests in early-stage health, IT, and cleantech companies close to product commercialization. They provide investments of $500,000 to businesses with addressable market sizes of $100 million.

Spark Angel Network

This group of angel investors offers private equity investment to early-stage, innovative start-ups in Durham and Northumberland. Besides financial support, Spark Angel Network also offers coaching to help enterprises bring products and services to market.

Business In the Streets (BITS) — BITS Bucks

Younger entrepreneurs often struggle to secure loans, making it challenging to start businesses. BITS Bucks program provides affordable and flexible micro-financing to ensure young people can start enterprises.

Community Futures Ontario: Access to Capital

This program delivers investment funds to finance new or existing local businesses and social enterprises. These funds help start-ups expand, stabilize, and develop jobs.

Angel Investors Ontario

Ontario start-ups can gain funding from an angel investor to finance innovative efforts. Angel Investors Ontario provides investments and mentorships to help enterprises achieve their goals, ultimately infusing a greater entrepreneurial spirit across the province.

Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN)

If your enterprise is investment-ready, you may qualify for funding from a GTAN investor. Businesses only receive financial support from GTAN investors if they provide a clear growth plan that delivers sufficient return on investment.

Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF)

Métis businesses in Ontario can receive funding through the MVDF. This Métis-owned and operated agency supports companies with at least one Métis owner who holds 50% or more of the company’s assets.

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)

Aboriginal entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario may seek financial support for their start-ups through the NADF. This program offers multiple funding solutions, including grants, loans, and microloans, as well as financing for companies that rely on the winter road network.

Southwestern Ontario Angel Group

SWO Angels helps fund early-stage start-ups by exposing them to a pool of investors. Entrepreneurs also gain valuable educational and networking opportunities through the group.

VERGE Capital Start-Up Fund

This program extends affordable and flexible loans to for-profit and non-profit start-ups in Southwestern Ontario. The goal is to facilitate more equitable access to business funding, particularly for marginalized groups.

Morrissette Accelerator

The Morrissette Accelerator program provides high-growth start-ups with 12 – 15 weeks of mentorship from business experts. Although the program’s focus is education, participants also gain funding for their enterprise.

Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation Investment Fund

This fund supports entrepreneurial activities and economic development for Mushkegowuk communities. The main goals of this program include enhancing the standard of living, re-circulating money, and creating local job opportunities.

Rise Small Business Lending Program

Although available nationwide, this funding solution can be ideal for Ontario start-ups. The Rise program evaluates the company’s stage of development, ability to repay, and commitment to growth or financial recovery to extend a low-interest loan.

Ontario Start-Up Grants

An ideal non-dilutive financing option for entrepreneurs are start-up grants. Ontario offers various grants for small businesses, several of which support specific industries. Some of these grants include:

Accelerator Centre Start-Up Grants

The Accelerator Centre features unique programs that assist entrepreneurs in starting businesses. Qualifying enterprises can receive financial support from the AC JumpStart or TD Sustainable Future Program.

Farm Credit Canada: Young Farmers Starters Loan

Eligible farmers under 40 can utilize this grant to help purchase livestock, equipment, shares in a business, or other qualifying items. FCC funding helps recipients grow in the agriculture industry.

Ontario Disability Support Program

If you have a disability and wish to start a business, you may qualify for financial assistance through the Ontario Disability Support Program. This funding can support marketing, business planning, mentoring, and work-related disability equipment.

Canada Periodical Fund: Business Innovation

The Business Innovation stream of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides funding to qualifying small and medium-sized print magazine and digital periodical publishers.

Seek Ontario Startup Funding from Easly

Besides these grants and loans, Ontario startups may also seek funding from government tax incentives, such as Ontario Innovation tax credits and the federal and the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program. At Easly, we advance your government issued funds, whether they’re investment tax credit refunds or grants. Accelerate your capital with Easly Advances and grow your business on your schedule.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and start-up funding in Ontario.