14 Years of Granted: What Canadian Businesses Need to Know About Government Funding
To celebrate 14 years of Granted, we sat down with our CEO to discuss the evolution of government funding in Canada, common misconceptions, and the opportunities businesses should know about today.
What inspired you to start a grant consulting company 14 years ago, and what problem were you trying to solve for Canadian businesses?
I started Granted Consulting because I found that many small business owners, including entrepreneurs in my own family, struggled to find the available government resources that could help their businesses grow. It really shouldn’t be that difficult.
My mom worked at the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) and learned that while funding support was available, it was often difficult to apply for, and many people didn’t understand how or where to find the right grants. I created Granted to solve this problem.
What are the most common government grants or wage subsidies in Canada that businesses are still missing or underutilizing today?
There is a range of grants and subsidies available through the Canadian government, and it often starts with hiring and training grants that help support the growth of the Canadian workforce.
Once businesses grow to a certain size, there are other funding programs, including market expansion and business advisory grants, that can help fuel further growth beyond their local markets.
Research and development is one of the strongest areas of government funding, where programs seek to support companies that are developing novel and innovative solutions to compete both domestically and internationally.
How does the grant application process typically work for a small business applying for funding for the first time?
The grant application process varies depending on the type of grant a business is applying for. Typically, a company needs to find a suitable program that matches the needs of its business and identify the criteria, which might include:
- Finding the right candidate if it’s a hiring grant;
- Identifying the appropriate course if it’s a training grant; or
- Expanding internationally into a new market beyond our borders to support business growth.
The grant application process has two parts:
- Submitting an application; and
- Once the application has been adjudicated, completing the claims and reporting process.
What is the biggest misconception business owners have about qualifying for government funding in Canada?
There are many misconceptions that business owners have about qualifying for government grants in Canada. These include assumptions around eligibility and who can access funding.
For example:
- Grants are only available for businesses owned by certain demographics, such as women-owned, visible minority-owned, or youth-owned businesses (with some exceptions, such as programs supporting Indigenous businesses);
- There is funding available to simply pay businesses to start up their company;
- Grants come without strings attached, meaning businesses can use the funding however they choose; and
- Grants are only available for highly technical or scientific businesses, which is absolutely not the case.
Can you share an example of a business that received funding and what impact it had on their hiring or growth
There are many small businesses that seek grant funding and are often surprised by what they are able to secure for business activities they are already investing in, such as hiring and training.
Here are two examples:
A small business in Ontario with 10 staff members, operating in the professional services sector, leveraged training grants to help upskill its existing employees. The company also accessed a hiring grant to bring on a digital marketing specialist, with the opportunity to incorporate AI into the role. Total grant funding amounted to more than $23,000 over the course of a year.
A small manufacturer in BC with 43 employees recently secured $30,000 to help expand into a new market in Europe. The funding is being used to offset the costs of travel and to engage legal, accounting, and business development advisors who can help the company explore the best approach for successful expansion while reducing risk.
How has the government funding and wage subsidy landscape in Canada changed over the past 14 years, and what trends are you seeing today?
Government funding has not only become more competitive, but there are also more programs available for niche businesses.
Grant values have increased for research and development programs. The government is looking to support companies that have the ability to offset the costs of growth while also having reliable revenue sources to help meet the matching requirements of different grants.
The government has also become more selective about how funds are claimed, making the second part of the application process, the claims and reporting component, much more challenging for small businesses to manage.
As grants have become more competitive, application timelines have also changed. For example, some grants may open and close within a couple of weeks, and businesses may not have another opportunity to apply until the following year. It is important for small businesses to stay on top of available programs and deadlines.
If you had to give one piece of advice to Canadian business owners about government funding today, what would it be?
It’s important for small businesses to understand how government funding can support growth. Businesses that take the time to explore available funding opportunities can unlock resources to invest in their operations, while those that don’t may miss out on valuable opportunities that their competitors are already leveraging.
One example is when our team at Granted secured $9.5 million in government funding to support a company’s electrification of its transportation fleet. This funding is helping the company invest in sustainability initiatives while supporting its continued growth.
There are tools available today that can help businesses identify the best programs and better understand what is required to apply. I often ask business owners how long it takes them to generate $5,000 to $10,000 in profitability. Sometimes, one grant and a few hours of your time can provide that return.
Grants are not available for everything within a business, so it is important to understand how to identify the opportunities that best align with your business goals.
Closing Thoughts: 14 Years of Helping Canadian Businesses Grow
Reflecting on 14 years of Granted, our mission remains the same: helping Canadian businesses access the funding opportunities they need to grow.
What started as a goal to make government funding more accessible has grown into a team dedicated to supporting small businesses through every stage of their journey, from identifying opportunities to navigating complex programs and securing funding that drives real results.
Government funding can be a powerful tool for growth, helping businesses hire, innovate, expand, and invest in their future. We are proud to continue supporting Canadian businesses as they turn opportunities into growth.
Want to find out what funding opportunities your business may be eligible for? Explore your options today: https://granted.ca/get-started/
