Find out exactly how much government funding your women-owned businesses business qualifies for in Toronto. Take our 60-second assessment below.
The government of Ontario and federal Canadian agencies provide millions of dollars in non-repayable grants, wage subsidies, and interest-free loans specifically targeted at the Women-Owned Businesses sector in Toronto.
Unlike traditional bank loans, government grants do not need to be repaid and do not require giving up equity in your company. Whether you are looking to hire new employees, invest in research and development, purchase new equipment, or expand your Women-Owned Businesses operations globally, there are active funding programs designed to accelerate your growth.
The key to accessing these funds is understanding exactly which programs your business in Toronto qualifies for, what the specific intake periods are, and how to structure your application to match the government's current economic priorities for Ontario.
One of the most accessible forms of funding in Toronto. Programs can cover between 50% to 70% of the wages for new hires, particularly for youth (under 30), recent graduates, or specialized technical roles within the Women-Owned Businesses space.
Grants designed to help Toronto businesses modernize. If your Women-Owned Businesses company needs to implement an ERP system, upgrade cybersecurity, adopt AI infrastructure, or digitize operations, you can secure up to $100,000 in support.
Looking to sell your Women-Owned Businesses products or services outside of Ontario? The CanExport program and regional equivalents provide up to $50,000 to cover travel to trade shows, marketing localization, and legal fees for new market entry.
Grant programs in Canada are highly competitive and operate on specific intake cycles. Many Ontario provincial funds operate on a "first-come, first-served" basis and often deplete their annual budgets long before their official posted deadlines.
We strongly recommend continuously monitoring intakes and assessing your Toronto business eligibility immediately using the calculator to secure your position in the queue.
While specific requirements vary by the exact grant program, the vast majority of government funding for the Women-Owned Businesses sector requires your business to meet these baseline criteria:
Depending on the specific program and the size of your business, funding amounts range significantly. Small hiring grants provide $5,000 to $15,000 per new employee. Technology adoption grants typically offer $15,000 to $100,000. For large-scale innovation commercialization projects in the Women-Owned Businesses sector, companies in Ontario can secure upwards of $500,000 to $1,000,000+.
No. True government grants are non-repayable, meaning you do not have to pay the money back, provided you complete the project exactly as described in your approved application. However, the government also offers highly favorable "repayable contributions" (interest-free loans with flexible terms) which are also valuable tools for Toronto businesses.
Yes, but the options are more limited. Pre-revenue Women-Owned Businesses startups can access specific research and development funding (like SR&ED tax credits or IRAP funding) and some localized incubator/accelerator grants in Toronto. However, the majority of large scaling grants require the business to have established commercial revenue (often $500k+) and at least 3-5 full-time employees.
The timeline varies wildly by program. Simple wage subsidies for hiring an intern in Toronto can be approved in 2-4 weeks. Complex federal innovation grants requiring deep technical reviews of your Women-Owned Businesses technology can take 3 to 6 months. We always advise businesses in Ontario to apply well in advance of their planned project start dates.
Government funding requires strict compliance and reporting. If your Women-Owned Businesses company deviates from the approved budget or scope of work without prior written permission from the funding agency, those expenses will be deemed ineligible. You will not be reimbursed, and in cases of severe breach, you may be required to return funds already disbursed.