In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.
Suggestions for Obtaining Capital
With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process.
There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business:
- Government Funding: This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.
- Personal Savings: This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.
- Personal Loans: This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.
- Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending: Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.
- Private Financing/Equity Financing: This types of financing come in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.
Need More?
Check out this page in the Learn Business Basics section of our site to review a growing list of different ways to raise capital for Canadian businesses. It has many funding resources to explore that fall into the categories above, and well as sections with opportunities specifically for Indigenous, women, and youth entrepreneurs, as well as regional funding opportunities.
Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:
Green Business Funding Opportunities
AgriInnovate Program | A Government of Canada funding program aimed at accelerating innovative and sustainable technologies in the agriculture sector.
BC Hydro Energy Studies & Audits: Energy Efficiency Feasibility Study | Provides businesses with a report on how they might upgrade their energy efficiency. Funding available.
BC Hydro Project Incentives: Distribution | Provides funding to businesses engaged in energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Clean Foundation | This program offers funding to facilitate the hiring of student interns for clean technology initiatives.
Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) | A Government of Canada funding project focused on the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Offers multiple streams: SME Projects, MUSH retrofits, and rebates for energy usage.
Export Development Canada (EDC): Clean Tech | Finances Canadian clean technology projects, including those led by small and medium businesses.
Indigenous Forestry Initiative | Funds Indigenous-led economic development in the forestry sector, with a sustainable focus.
MaRS Catalyst Fund | Provides funding and support to Canadian companies pursuing social and environmental outcomes with business models that scale.
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF): Net Zero Accelerator | A Government of Canada funding initiative which aims to “rapidly expedite decarbonization projects with large emitters, scale-up clean technology and accelerate Canada's industrial transformation across all sectors.”
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) | Clean Tech Fund | Provides funding for qualifying SME’s working with clean technologies.