If you like this article share it with your friends.
From software to clean tech, Canada offers powerful funding programs. Govmoney helps you identify, apply, and secure the grants that fit your industry.
Scale-up capital for Southern Ontario firms to adopt tech, expand capacity, and enter new markets. Great for equipment, automation, and commercialization.
Ontario’s flagship capital/tech adoption stream for advanced manufacturers (SMEs).
Helps SME manufacturers invest in automation/robotics, AI/ML on the line, IIoT, etc.
De-risks commercialization/scale-up in world-class manufacturing projects; consortium model encouraged.
Supports productivity/capacity investments for AB SMEs (equipment, automation, software).
Canada’s cornerstone SME R&D program—excellent for software/IT development, prototyping, and technical de-risking.
Applied R&D talent to advance software/IT R&D, algorithm design, data/AI, cybersecurity, etc.
Collaborative AI projects that measurably improve supply-chain/value-chain performance; strong fit for SaaS/IT vendors working with adopters.
Targets digital adoption (ERP/MES, data stack, cybersecurity, e-commerce, AI pilots) for Ontario SMEs, including software/IT implementers.
For software/IT firms building/validating 5G-enabled products/services (IoT, XR, edge AI).
Funds purchase/installation of commercially available clean technologies for ag/food operators to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
Supports community-driven clean energy projects to reduce diesel reliance in rural/remote/Indigenous communities.
Many cleantech manufacturers use BSP for pilot lines, automation, and commercialization capacity.
• BC: sector streams (e.g., agri-food export/market supports that complement clean processing upgrades).
• BC Community Climate Funding Guide – searchable catalogue of clean/energy funding.
• Ontario/Quebec frequently post clean/innovation calls; use provincial directories to cross-check actives.
Complements CERRC for Northern/Indigenous energy transition projects.
Employer-led third-party training (software, equipment, leadership, safety, etc.).
Wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students for work-integrated learning (common for IT/engineering, but cross-sector).
Entrepreneur capacity-building plus micro-grant for eligible founders.
Supports hiring youth for summer roles; helpful for seasonal/workforce pipeline.
Complements capital/tech programs by subsidizing skills development tied to process improvements.
Travel/missions, partner development, marketing localization, trade shows in new target markets.
Helps innovators formalize cross-border R&D partnerships that can lead to commercialization.
Helps AB firms attend trade events, buyer meetings, and promotional activities abroad.
While not SME-direct, it aligns with regional export/FDI strategies that benefit local firms.
Québec’s regional export organizations (ORPEX) and PEX initiatives help SMEs prepare/export, sometimes with cost-shared activities via MEIE-administered frameworks.
BC and federal partners periodically open export-focused streams to help food/beverage producers reach new markets.
See how founders, CFOs, and innovators across Canada have used Govmoney to unlock funding, reduce audit risk, and extend their runway with confidence.
Our blog helps founders, CFOs, and innovators navigate programs, policy changes, and best practices to maximize returns.
Getting government funding for startups and government grants for businesses can significantly accelerate the growth of your company, mitigate risk, and give you capital to invest in strategic ventures instead of spending it on research and development or capital investments. At GovMoney, we focus on assisting innovators in finding, filling, and winning the most applicable grants, whether in starting up or expanding internationally.Across Canada (and internationally), a wide range of government grants for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) exists, from regional programs like FedDev Ontario to sector-specific programs targeting clean tech, advanced manufacturing, software, and export-ready companies.
Unlike loans, government grants for businesses don’t need to be repaid, meaning every dollar you secure goes straight toward growth rather than debt service. These programs aim at rewarding innovation, stimulating the creation of jobs and assisting in commercializing new technologies.Some of the ways grants can help include:Equipment and Automation Purchases: Support for capital investments that modernize production or operational workflows.
Technology Adoption & R&D: Funding to develop or integrate new technologies.
Market Expansion Support: Grants that help you enter new markets, domestically or internationally.
Hiring & Training Programs: Subsidies to onboard and upskill staff.
Collaborative Innovation Projects: Multi-party grants for large-scale industry initiatives.
Whether you’re applying for FedDev Ontario – Business Scale-up & Productivity (BSP), the Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant (AMPG), or regional innovation streams, these funds are structured to complement your business strategy and unlock new opportunities.
If you’re an early-stage company looking for government funding for startups, the grant landscape might seem overwhelming at first. Many early-stage programs are designed to:Help you develop a proof of concept
Provide working capital for product development
Support commercial readiness and launch
Encourage adoption of best practices and operational excellence
In other cases, grants are used together with other incentives such as tax credits, investor financing, or strategic partnerships to further lengthen their runway and prove the technology sooner. The point is to understand which programs can be stacked (e.g., tax incentives + grants) and which will need to be coordinated to avoid funding conflicts.
Here’s a deeper look at some of the real grant opportunities that GovMoney helps businesses pursue:FedDev Ontario – Business Scale-up & Productivity (BSP)Funding Range: $125K–$10M (repayable, no interest)
Focus: Tech adoption, capacity expansion, commercialization
Best for: Established Ontario firms with scalable offerings
Ontario Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC)Funding Type: Mix of grants & loans
Focus: Advanced manufacturing and innovation competitiveness
Best for: Small to mid-sized manufacturers
CME Technology Investment Program (TIP)Funding: Up to $50,000 (50% match)
Use: Production tech upgrades (automation, AI/ML, IIoT)
NGen – Project CallsFunding Style: Collaborative cost sharing
Focus: Advanced manufacturing innovation
Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant (AMPG)Funding: Up to $30,000 matching
Use: Equipment and productivity technology investments
These programs illustrate the diversity of options available when you’re exploring government grants for startups or established operations alike.
Securing government funding for startups or larger business grants isn’t just about filling out an application. It’s about:Understanding eligibility criteria
Structuring projects for maximum funding impact
Preparing audit-ready documentation
Crafting persuasive financial narratives and project descriptions
Timing submission based on intake windows and eligibility requirements
Our team of experts at GovMoney strives to assist you with all the processes required to complete your business, including eligibility screening, claims processing, and audit assistance, so you can focus on what matters most: business growth.
Canada’s cornerstone SME R&D program—excellent for software/IT development, prototyping, and technical de-risking.
Applied R&D talent to advance software/IT R&D, algorithm design, data/AI, cybersecurity, etc.
Collaborative AI projects that measurably improve supply-chain/value-chain performance; strong fit for SaaS/IT vendors working with adopters.
Targets digital adoption (ERP/MES, data stack, cybersecurity, e-commerce, AI pilots) for Ontario SMEs, including software/IT implementers.
For software/IT firms building/validating 5G-enabled products/services (IoT, XR, edge AI).
Funds purchase/installation of commercially available clean technologies for ag/food operators to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
Supports community-driven clean energy projects to reduce diesel reliance in rural/remote/Indigenous communities.
Many cleantech manufacturers use BSP for pilot lines, automation, and commercialization capacity.
• BC: sector streams (e.g., agri-food export/market supports that complement clean processing upgrades).
• BC Community Climate Funding Guide – searchable catalogue of clean/energy funding.
• Ontario/Quebec frequently post clean/innovation calls; use provincial directories to cross-check actives.
Complements CERRC for Northern/Indigenous energy transition projects.
Employer-led third-party training (software, equipment, leadership, safety, etc.).
Wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students for work-integrated learning (common for IT/engineering, but cross-sector).
Entrepreneur capacity-building plus micro-grant for eligible founders.
Supports hiring youth for summer roles; helpful for seasonal/workforce pipeline.
Complements capital/tech programs by subsidizing skills development tied to process improvements.
Travel/missions, partner development, marketing localization, trade shows in new target markets.
Helps innovators formalize cross-border R&D partnerships that can lead to commercialization.
Helps AB firms attend trade events, buyer meetings, and promotional activities abroad.
While not SME-direct, it aligns with regional export/FDI strategies that benefit local firms.
Québec’s regional export organizations (ORPEX) and PEX initiatives help SMEs prepare/export, sometimes with cost-shared activities via MEIE-administered frameworks.
BC and federal partners periodically open export-focused streams to help food/beverage producers reach new markets.
For a lean startup or an eight-year-old innovator, government grants for businesses are an influential source of capital that can reduce risk and accelerate scaling. These funds may be included in an intelligent financial plan during the first stages of its development (since early development), in the commercialization phase, and during the growth of the market share.Book an Appointment with GovMoney today to explore the best grants available to your business and let our experts help you secure funding with confidence.
Work with subject matter experts to secure government funding today!
