Grant Guidebook for Small Businesses in Ontario
Who qualifies for small business grants in Ontario?

Summary

• If you are an incorporated Canadian company in Ontario with fewer than 500 employees, you likely qualify for small business grant funding. 
• Each program has specific eligibility requirements so be sure to read the applicant guide carefully. 
• Maintaining good financial health will influence your likelihood of approval. 
• Startups qualify for grant funding, however, the programs will be different from grants for small businesses.

The Ontario Provincial Government has grants available for small businesses, large corporations, and nonprofits, giving Ontario businesses a range of options in their search for grant funding. 

For small businesses, each grant will have its own eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to be considered for approval. The very first requirement for a small business grant is to be a small business! As shocking as that may sound, the Ontario government defines SMEs as companies with fewer than 500 employees. This also rings true at the federal level. Beyond this, each program will have its own requirements. There are some consistencies across grant programs, so let’s take a look!

1. The business must be registered in Ontario. Having a business number is an absolute must across all programs. 
2. Typically, the business needs to be incorporated. While there are some grants for unincorporated businesses – it’s very limited. 
3. You’ll need to be established for at least 1-2 years. Small business grants in Ontario generally don’t include funding for startups. 
4. The company must employ a certain number of people. SMEs must have fewer than 500 employees to be eligible; some grants are for smaller businesses with <50 employees, so always double-check the criteria. 

You’ll see the ‘eligibility requirements’ emphasized throughout this guide. Each program has its own requirements that applicants must meet, and they could vary from the points listed above. It’s very important to read through the entire applicant guide so you know exactly what to expect, and how to apply. At Granted, we take care of all the leg work involved in identifying the right grants for SMEs in Ontario. 

Regardless of the grant you’re applying for, your business must be in good financial health. It’s common to provide balance sheets or income statements as part of an application. This proves you have the financial resources to participate in the grant and help the program meet its targets. 

We get a lot of questions about grant funding for startups in Ontario. While there are grants to support startups, the scope is very different compared to SMEs. In most cases, to secure free government money, you’ll need to be established for at least 1-2 years. For more information on grants for startups, head over to our blog.