Contrary to popular belief, grants for business start-ups are few and far between. Aside from there being a limited pool of accessible money, the application process and reporting requirements can be a serious drain of your time. In most cases, the procedure required to obtain a grant is simply not a practical use of the new business owner’s time.

WeBC does not have a grant program, but we do offer small business loans. We are not associated with the Small Business Finance Centre or The Centre.

When looking into small business grants, remember: You should never have to pay for grant information!

We recommend checking with Better Business Bureau before paying money for information about grants.

FUNDING SOURCES AND GRANTS FOR BC BUSINESSES

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

To help navigate through various government programs, we recommend visiting the Innovation Canada Platform. To learn how to use this resource watch this how-to video.

Agriculture Grants

• Investment Agriculture Foundation

Grants for Business and the Arts

• Food Processing Growth Fund
• Grow Your Business Online Micro grants up to $2,400
• Workplace Accessibility Grant
• BC Arts and Culture Grants Alliance for the Arts
• BC Sports, Art and Culture Events
• Columbia Basin Trust – full grants list
• Economic Trust of the Southern Interior
• Buy BC Partnership
• Strategic Innovation Fund
• Venture Capital Programs
• Employee Share Ownership Program
• Labour Sponsored Funds Program
• The British Columbia Arts Council
• ARTS BC
• Canada Council for the Arts Grants
• City of Vancouver Cultural Services, Grants, Awards & Support Programs
• Northern Development Competitiveness Consulting Rebate 
• Canada Periodical Fund – for print media
• Film Incentive BC Tax Credit
• Production Services Tax Credit

Grants for Environmental Initiatives

• Canada’s funding programs for the Environment and Climate Change
• Northern Industries Innovation Fund
• Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD)
• Climate Action Fund

Export Support Grants

• CanExport Grant
• Canadian International Innovation Program

Research and Technology Grants

• Innovator Skills Initiative
• Digital Skills for Youth
• Boost Your Business Technology
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
• Mitacs

Trades Grants

• Government of Canada support for apprentices
• Apprenticeship Completion Grant
• Women in Trades Training

Grants for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

• Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Program
• Grant writing support through Northern Development Initiative Trust
• Aboriginal Financial Institutions by Province

Grants for Wage Subsidies

• BC Employer Training Grant
  • Application link
• Canada Summer Jobs Grant
• Province of BC – Targeted Wage Subsidies employment program
• Province of BC – Job Creation Partnerships employment program
• Province of BC – Labour Market Partnerships employment program
• Douglas College – Career Focus Wage Subsidy Program
• Get Youth Working Program
• Hiring Grants from Innovate BC
• New Ventures BC – up to $10,000 student grant program
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver Youth Employment Wage Subsidy 
• Career Launcher
• Experience Matters (Workers aged 55+)

Other Grants

• Windmill Microlending Program
• Enabling Accessibility Fund
• Canada-BC Job Grant
• Federal Government – Employee / Skills Subsidy or Grant Programs
• Grants in support of Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program
• Vancouver Foundation Grants

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.