Updated 2026 100% Free Canadian Only

Ontario Business Grants & Incentives 2026

Ontario businesses have access to federal, provincial, and municipal grants. Municipal programs vary by city - each guide below includes CIP zones, BIA districts, and local incentive programs specific to your area.

City Grant Guides

Niagara Falls

Niagara Region Pop: 94,415 12+ programs available

Tourism capital with active facade and signage CIPs

St. Catharines

Niagara Region Pop: 136,803 12+ programs available

Largest Niagara city with strong small business incentive programs

Hamilton

Hamilton-Wentworth Pop: 569,353 12+ programs available

23 municipal grant programs for small businesses

Welland

Niagara Region Pop: 55,750 12+ programs available

Aggressive business incentives including tax increment grants

Fort Erie

Niagara Region Pop: 32,573 12+ programs available

Border town with cross-border business opportunity grants

Thorold

Niagara Region Pop: 23,816 12+ programs available

Growing city with Brock University expansion driving business growth

Port Colborne

Niagara Region Pop: 19,927 12+ programs available

NSO home base with waterfront redevelopment grants

Burlington

Halton Region Pop: 186,913 10+ programs available

Affluent market with strong facade and signage improvement programs

Oakville

Halton Region Pop: 213,759 10+ programs available

Premium market with heritage improvement grants for storefronts

Mississauga

Peel Region Pop: 717,961 9+ programs available

GTA's largest suburb with business development centre and startup support

Milton

Halton Region Pop: 132,979 9+ programs available

One of Canada's fastest-growing towns with new business incentives

Brampton

Peel Region Pop: 656,480 10+ programs available

Fast-growing diverse market with dedicated small business centre

Province-Wide Programs

Provincial Open

Starter Company Plus

$5,000

Deadline: Ongoing (intake periods)

Up to $5,000 grant for new Ontario businesses. Includes mentorship and business training. No repayment required.

Apply Full Guide
Provincial Open

Home Retrofit Savings (Heat Pump Rebates)

$7,500 - $15,000

Deadline: November 2026

Provincial rebates of $7,500-$15,000 for heat pump installations. HVAC contractors benefit from increased demand.

Apply Full Guide
Provincial Open

Southern Ontario Development Fund (SODF)

$50,000 - $1,500,000

Deadline: May 27, 2026

Up to $1.5M for southern Ontario businesses creating jobs. Focus on advanced manufacturing, food processing, and technology.

Apply
Federal Open

Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

$50,000 - $1,150,000

Deadline: Ongoing

Government-backed loans up to $1.15M for real property, equipment, and improvements. 85% government guarantee reduces lender risk.

Apply Full Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What Ontario grants are available for small businesses?

Ontario offers 7 provincial and municipal grant programs including Starter Company Plus ($5,000), CIP facade grants (up to $25,000), SODF (up to $1.5M), and city-specific BIA improvement grants.

How do I find grants in my Ontario city?

Use our city-specific grant guides. We cover 12 cities from Niagara Falls to Mississauga, each with their own CIP zones, BIA districts, and municipal incentive programs.

What is the most popular Ontario business grant?

Starter Company Plus is the most widely-used Ontario business grant, offering $5,000 to new businesses with mentorship. CIP facade grants are the most common for established businesses with storefronts.