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Grants and Funding Programs for BC Businesses

WeBC December 16, 2024
BC Business Grants

Start-Up Grants: What You Need to Know

You’ve probably heard about grants for start-ups, but the truth is they are very rare. Not only is the pool of funding small, but the application process and reporting requirements can take a lot of your time – time that could be better spent building your business.

If you’re looking into grants, here’s an important tip: you should never pay for grant information. Before spending any money, double-check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the service is legitimate.

At WeBC, we don’t offer grants, but we do provide small business loans to help you grow. We lend based on the viability of your plan and the strength of your vision, so you may qualify with us even if you haven’t with other lenders.

IMPORTANT NOTE – WeBC is NOT connected to the Small Business Finance Centre or The Centre.

Grants and Funding Sources for BC Businesses

There are funding sources and grants for specific purposes, for which you may be eligible. The websites below contain more information on some available sources.

To help navigate through various programs, we recommend visiting the Business Benefits Finder (Government of Canada) and Work BC Loans and Grants (Province of BC), in addition to the list below.

Click on each topic to view the list of programs.

Agriculture and Food & Beverage

BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
Buy BC Partnership Opportunities
Investment Agriculture Foundation

Business and the Arts

ARTS BC
BC Alliance for Arts + Culture
BC Arts Council
BC Sports, Art and Culture: Event Funding
Buy BC Partnership Opportunities
Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Periodical Fund – (Print Media & Digital Periodicals)
City of Vancouver Cultural Services, Grants, Awards & Support Programs
Columbia Basin Trust – Grants & Programs Directory
Creative BC – Film & Production Incentives (BC Tax Credit)
Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) Current Offerings
Employee Share Ownership Program
Food Processing Growth Fund
Labour Sponsored Funds Tax Credit
Northern Development – Partner Programs
Northern Industries Innovation Fund
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) – ISEDC
Venture Capital Programs – Government of BC

Environmental Initiatives

Canada Nature Fund
Climate Action Fund
EcoAction Community Funding Program
Natural Resources Canada
Northern Industries Innovation Fund

Exporting Support

CanExport Funding
Canadian International Innovation Program

Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital
First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)
Indigenous Financial Institutions in Canada
Indigenous Food Pathways Program
Indigenous Growth Fund
NACCA Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur Program – Loan Fund
Northern Development – Grant Writing Support

R&D and Innovation

BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
Digital Skills for Youth (closed until 2025)
Heavy-Duty Low and Zero Emission Vehicles Trucking Project (HDZEV)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Innovator Skills Initiative
Mitacs
National Research Council Canada (NRC)
NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentives

Trades & Apprentice Support

Apprenticeship Completion Grant
BC Tax Credits for Apprentices
Canada Apprentice Loan
Employment Insurance for Apprentices
Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Training
Women in Trades Training

Wage Subsidies

BC Employer Training Grant
Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy
Colleges & Institutes Canada – Career Launcher
Douglas College – CAVE Career and Vocational Exploration
Get Youth Working Program
Innovate BC
Jobs, Skills Training & Social Development Projects (Government of Canada)
Work BC – Job Creation Partnerships
Work BC – Labour Market Partnerships
YMCA BC – Self Employment Program

Other Opportunities

Government of Canada – Enabling Accessibility Fund
Government of Canada – Employee/Skills Subsidy or Grant Programs
Government of Canada – Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program
Vancouver Foundation Grants
Windmill Microlending Program

Questions?

If you have further questions about your small business financing options, call us at 1.800.643.7014 ext. 112 or send us a note and our Client Services Coordinator will be in touch.


Disclaimer: The funding sources and grants listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only. WeBC does not administer these programs and cannot guarantee eligibility, funding availability, or program intake dates. Each program has its own criteria, deadlines, and application process. Please refer to the official websites for the most up-to-date information and to confirm your eligibility. Additional funding opportunities may also be available beyond what is listed here.

About WeBC

WeBC is a not-for-profit that has been supporting women business owners across the province for over 25 years. Working with our regional partners, we’ve provided thousands of entrepreneurs with business loans and expertise, training, resources, and peer network support to help businesses grow and thrive.

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