Other Funding Sources Directory

Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (Common Good Capital and Tenacity Works Loan Fund)

National federation for worker co-operatives. Its financing options include Common Good Capital (co-op shares held in RRSPs and TFSAs), the Tenacity Works Loan Fund, and technical assistance grants.

Terms / fees: No amounts or rates on the fetched page.

Eligibility: Worker co-operatives and related co-op types. Each program has its own criteria.

How to apply / use: See the Tenacity Works Loan Fund and Common Good Capital pages on the CWCF site. The fetched page did not detail the steps.

The phone number is listed for Common Good Capital. Technical assistance email is infotech@canadianworker.coop. The page did not mention a 'Co-operative Capital Investment Fund', which a search result suggested, so that name is unconfirmed.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) – co-op financing resources

National association of co-operatives and mutuals. Its financing list points co-ops to local credit unions and caisses, and it maintains a list of organizations that fund co-ops.

Eligibility: Co-operatives.

How to apply / use: Use the CMC financing page and the Canadian Credit Union Association and Desjardins locators named there. Funders can be added through the form at canada.coop/en/organizations-providing-funding-to-co-ops/.

The fetched list page did not contain the actual list of funders. It is a directory and information source, not a lender.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale

Quebec social-economy patient-capital lender. Search results point to patient-capital loans for operations and real estate, but I could not read the official site.

Official site could not be read. Only aggregator pages (hellodarwin) surfaced in search. Those were not used for facts.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

Community Futures Network of Canada (national office for 267 Community Futures organizations)

A national network of 267 non-profit, locally governed Community Futures organizations that provide business services, access to capital and community economic development support in rural and remote areas. Local offices offer financing for businesses that are starting, growing or sustaining operations.

Terms / fees: No loan terms published on the national page. The site reports CF financing has reached 141,495 businesses and totalled $6.5B over 24 years of annual reporting.

Eligibility: Set by each local office. The national page gives no criteria.

How to apply / use: Contact your local Community Futures office. The site points to a 'Find your Provinces/Territories Network' page, but the fetched text of that page did not list the individual networks.

National office only. Loan products and terms come from the individual local offices. The page does not use the term 'CFDC'.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Prince Albert & District Community Futures (Micro Loan)

A Community Futures office offering a Micro Loan for new and small businesses. Funds can cover start-up costs, working capital, capital acquisitions or expansion.

Terms / fees: Up to $25,000 at Prime + 2%, fixed for the full term. 3-year term with 6 months interest-only. Processing fee of 3% of the amount on approval and drawdown, minimum $350.

Eligibility: Must live in, or run or plan to start a business in, the Prince Albert service area. Business must be registered with Corporations Canada (ISC). Generally serves applicants who cannot get funding from banks, BDC or credit unions.

How to apply / use: Download the loan application and business plan from the lending page and prepare the cash flow worksheet. Call to set up a meeting, or apply online through the Micro Loan link on the site.

Included as a verified example of a local Community Futures loan. Each office sets its own terms. Hours listed: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Alterna Savings Community Microfinance

Alterna Savings credit union microfinance programs for small and self-employed entrepreneurs, including skilled trades, social impact enterprises and women-led businesses. Loans are decided case by case.

Terms / fees: Income Builder: $1,000 to $5,000. Success Accelerator Professional Development: $1,000 to $5,000. Skilled Professionals and Trades: $1,000 to $15,000. Social Impact Entrepreneurship: $1,000 to $25,000. Working Women Business: $1,000 to $25,000. Alterna and BDC loans may each be up to $25,000. Not guaranteed.

Eligibility: Canadian legal resident, 18 or older, in Alterna's service area. Each program adds its own income and business criteria (for example, Working Women Business needs a business at least 51% women-owned, income under $50,000 and existing revenue).

How to apply / use: Book an appointment with the Community Microfinance team. Documents vary by program and commonly include a business plan, 12 to 24 months of projected cash flow, six months of bank statements, references and photo ID.

The BDC co-lending piece overlaps with the already-listed BDC. Alterna's service area is not spelled out in the fetched text.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Coast Capital Savings (business lending, including Journey Capital alternative financing)

Credit union offering business loans, lines of credit, equipment financing and CSBFP loans. Journey Capital is the alternative-financing option for smaller term loans.

Terms / fees: Journey Capital term loans from $10,000 to $300,000, with a renewal option once 50% paid down. Construction finance $500,000 to $10 million. Rates not published.

Eligibility: Subject to Coast Capital's lending policies. Personal guarantees, security and extra documentation may be required. CSBFP is for businesses with gross annual revenue under $10 million.

How to apply / use: Contact a business advisor or book an appointment online. Journey Capital has an online application. The CSBFP guide can be downloaded from the site.

The page does not describe a start-up-specific program. CSBFP is already in the directory. The page's claim of funding in as little as one business day is the site's own wording.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Desjardins Créavenir and Microcredit (Social Finance)

Desjardins offers Créavenir for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 and Microcredit for those who cannot get traditional financing. Both are delivered through local partner organizations.

Terms / fees: Créavenir: credit package up to $16,000 at prime + 0.5% for 5 years, with a line of credit and credit card. The limit can rise to $30,000 after 6 months. Grant of $3,000 (up to $5,000 for innovative projects), conditions apply. Microcredit: personalized loan up to $20,000 plus coaching.

Eligibility: Créavenir: ages 18 to 39, business no more than 3 years old, unable to get enough traditional financing, main corporate account at Desjardins. Microcredit: viable plan, not eligible for traditional financing, Desjardins caisse member with main business account at Desjardins.

How to apply / use: Submit the business project (model, business plan, financial forecasts) to a partner organization in your region. The partner can refer strong projects to the selection committee. Partner lists are published as PDFs on the site.

No direct phone or email is given for these programs. Examples named on the page: Microcrédit Montréal and École des entrepreneurs du Québec in Montreal, and ACCFutures in Ontario (Créavenir only).

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Meridian Credit Union (small business lending)

Not confirmed from the official site. Only third-party pages (LEDC event listings) mention Meridian small business lending.

Official site could not be read. Official site could not be fetched. No start-up program was confirmed.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

Vancity Startup and Growth Loan (Microloan for Startups)

Vancity credit union loan for early-stage businesses. It is a term loan, or a term loan combined with an operating line of credit.

Terms / fees: Up to $50,000 in year 1 and up to $75,000 in years 2 and 3. 5-year term loan. Line of credit limited to 25% of the approved amount. Rate not published (the page refers to Vancity Prime plus APR compounded monthly).

Eligibility: Business must operate in the listed regions. Personal guarantor who is a Canadian citizen or PR. At least one owner is in or recently graduated from a self-employment or pre-entrepreneurial training program, or the plan has been reviewed by BDC, Futurpreneur or WeBC. Excluded sectors apply (for example tobacco, gambling, bars, pawn shops, gas stations, fossil fuel and extractive industries). Needs a business plan with cash flow projections.

How to apply / use: Check eligibility, build a business plan, then meet with Vancity. Book online, via the business account manager directory, or by phone at appointments.vancity.com/s/Microloan_For_Startups.

The page lists no Vancity loan phone or email. The phone and email figures it shows belong to partner organizations (Futurpreneur, WeBC, BDC), so they are not recorded here. Vancity also has startup pages for women, Indigenous and Black entrepreneurs (surfaced in search, not fetched, so unverified).

Official site checked 2026-10-31

GoFundMe

Donation-based fundraising platform. Its terms restrict commercial use and bar promoting or selling goods or services and offering investments with returns, so it is for causes and community projects, not for selling shares.

Terms / fees: No platform fee to start; payment processors deduct a transaction fee from each donation; donors can add an optional tip.

Eligibility: Causes, individuals and community projects. Non-profits use a separate GoFundMe Pro agreement.

Not suitable for raising equity or pre-selling products.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

CrowdFundMe

Canadian equity crowdfunding platform. Existence and current activity were not confirmed from its official site.

Official site could not be read. Confirm it is operating and registered before relying on it.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

Equifund

Canadian equity crowdfunding portal. Existence and current activity were not confirmed from its official site.

Official site could not be read. Confirm it is operating and registered before relying on it.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

FrontFundr

Canadian equity crowdfunding platform operated by FrontFundr Financial Services Inc. (also SMV Capital Markets), registered as an exempt market dealer. Investments start at $100.

Terms / fees: Due diligence and listing fee from $5,500 upfront; trade fee from 7% in cash and warrants on a successful close.

Eligibility: Private and public companies; campaigns can use the start-up crowdfunding, offering memorandum, accredited investor and family/friends/business associates exemptions.

How to apply / use: Set goals, get a campaign coach, pass due diligence and valuation review, run a campaign (30-90 days recommended). If the minimum is not reached, funds are returned.

Support is at support.frontfundr.com. No general email, phone or street address was published on the pages read.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Netcapital

SEC-registered funding portal and FINRA member running Regulation CF offerings.

Terms / fees: Offering fee 4.9% of funds collected, charged only if the target is reached; the escrow agent keeps its own fee.

Eligibility: Issuers must be organized under US state or DC law, so Canadian-incorporated companies are not eligible.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Republic

US investment platform running Reg CF, Rule 506(c) and Reg A style offerings. Issuer eligibility for Canadian companies was not stated on the pages read.

Eligibility: Not confirmed. Reg CF generally needs a US issuer; ask Republic directly.

Partly verified: confirm before relying on it

StartEngine

US equity crowdfunding platform offering Regulation CF and Regulation A+ raises.

Terms / fees: Reg CF launch generally $4,000-$10,000 for financial review and legal documentation; Reg A+ generally $50,000-$100,000.

Eligibility: Requires a US-based operating company; does not accept Canadian investors per its help center. Confirm with StartEngine.

Not an option for a Canadian-incorporated company.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Wefunder

US Regulation CF platform. Its help center says it cannot accept companies not formed in the United States or the District of Columbia.

Eligibility: US-formed companies only. A Canadian business would need a separate US-formed entity and US legal advice.

How to apply / use: See help.wefunder.com; fees are not stated on the page read.

Listed so you know it is not available to Canadian-incorporated companies.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program – Access to Capital (Indigenous Services Canada)

Federal program providing non-repayable equity contributions and business services to Indigenous entrepreneurs, delivered through Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations.

Terms / fees: Individuals may receive up to $99,999. Eligible Indigenous community businesses may receive up to $250,000. Amounts depend on project scope, need and budget.

Eligibility: Indigenous individuals, including businesses owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples, and Indigenous organizations (not charitable or religious ones). Eligibility varies by IFI or MCC.

How to apply / use: Contact your local IFI or Métis Capital Corporation directly. There is no deadline.

This is a federal program, so it may count as 'already listed' under the federal grants exclusion. Flag for the directory owner. Métis Capital Corporations named: Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc., Métis Financial Corporation of BC, Louis Riel Capital Corporation, Métis Voyageur Development Fund Inc., SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and Indigenous Financial Institutions

National association for a network of more than 50 independent Indigenous Financial Institutions that provide capital, business support and mentorship to First Nations, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs. The site reports more than 54,500 business loans disbursed by IFIs.

Terms / fees: No loan terms on the page. Terms are set by each IFI.

Eligibility: Varies by IFI.

How to apply / use: Use the 'Find an IFI' listings or the interactive IFI map and contact the IFI nearest you. Examples listed include Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (Enoch, AB) and Arctic Co-operative Development Fund (Winnipeg, MB).

The home page lists no phone or email. Check whether the IFI network overlaps with the already-listed regional development agencies before including.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

British Columbia Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit

A non-refundable personal income tax credit for individuals who buy shares in a registered venture capital corporation (VCC) or eligible business corporation (EBC) that invests in B.C. small businesses.

Terms / fees: 30% tax credit on investments in a VCC or EBC. Maximum annual credit is $300,000 for investments made on or after March 4, 2025 (the $300,000 applies to individuals who invested $1 million or more), and $120,000 for earlier investments. Unclaimed certificate amounts carry forward up to 4 years.

Eligibility: EBC registration needs a registration application, a business plan or executive summary, and a central securities register showing $25,000 in equity capital. VCCs and EBCs can raise tax-credit-supported investment only up to their authorized equity and within the dates in their approval letter. Further criteria were not listed on the pages opened.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: open. The venture-capital-programs page (last updated Jan 13, 2026) says Budget 2025 raised the program's annual tax credit budget from $38.5M to $53.5M for 2025 to 2027. The personal tax credit page (last updated Jan 20, 2026) shows no expiry date. Credit budgets are limited, so availability depends on each company's authorization. The 30% rate comes from the venture capital programs page. The personal tax page gives the dollar caps and no percentage. Also opened: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/venture-capital

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Manitoba Community Enterprise Development Tax Credit (CEDTC)

A refundable Manitoba tax credit for individuals who invest in shares of pre-approved community enterprise corporations or co-operatives.

Terms / fees: Refundable Manitoba tax credit of up to 45%, with no minimum investment. Investors can invest up to $60,000 per year, and each investor is limited to 10% or less of the total tax credit issuance.

Eligibility: Pre-approved to issue shares. Must be a cooperative under The Cooperatives Act or a taxable Canadian corporation under The Corporations Act. Assets used in active business. Under $10M net assets and $25M gross assets. Fewer than 200 full-time equivalent employees, at least 25% living in Manitoba. Lifetime limit of $3M in shares issued.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: unclear. The page does not state whether the program is currently accepting applications, and no date was shown. Confirm current intake with the branch before publishing as open.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Manitoba Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit

A non-refundable Manitoba tax credit for eligible investors who buy shares in pre-approved Manitoba small businesses.

Terms / fees: 45% non-refundable credit against Manitoba taxes payable. Investment range $5,000 minimum to $500,000 maximum per company. Maximum credit $225,000 per calendar year, with $120,000 claimable per tax year. Carry forward 10 years or back 3 years. Shares must be held at least 3 years.

Eligibility: Canadian-controlled private corporation with a permanent establishment in Manitoba. Active business not on the ineligible list. At least $25,000 cash equity already invested. Annual revenue under $15M or fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees. At least 25% of employees live in Manitoba. Not a reporting issuer. Pre-approval is required before issuing eligible shares. Companies may raise up to $10M.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: open. The page says the program was expanded with changes effective April 15, 2026. The minimum investment dropped from $10,000 to $5,000, and Manitoba limited partnerships with a Manitoban general partner and SAFEs can now qualify. Review takes 4 to 8 weeks. Investor eligibility (for example, any residency requirement) was not captured from the page.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

New Brunswick Small Business Investor Tax Credit

A non-refundable tax credit for New Brunswick residents (and corporate or trust investors) who invest in approved New Brunswick private companies.

Terms / fees: Individuals: 50% credit, capped at $125,000 per year (up to $250,000 invested in non-strategic sectors). For strategic-sector investments after March 17, 2026, the cap rises to a $500,000 credit on up to $1,000,000 invested. Corporate and trust investors: 25% for investments after March 17, 2026. Carry forward 7 years or back 3 years.

Eligibility: Private company incorporated or registered in New Brunswick. Net tangible assets under $50M including associates. Substantially all assets and income in active New Brunswick business. At least 75% of wages paid to New Brunswick residents (50% if more than half of goods and services are exported). Minimum raise of $10,000 from at least three investors. Minimum investment $1,000 (individuals) or $50,000 (corporate or trust). Individuals must be 19 or older and New Brunswick residents, with a 4-year hold. Registration fee $100, plus $25 per certificate.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: open. The program page does not state open or closed. It describes rules for investments after March 17, 2026. A May 5, 2026 government release describes the changes as 'proposed' amendments applying retroactively to investments made on or after March 17, 2026. I could not confirm that they have been enacted. The program is likely operating, but the new 2026 terms are not confirmed in law. Also opened: https://www.gnb.ca/en/news/n-b.2026.05.proposed-changes-tax-credit-aim-stimulate-growth-increase-productivity.html. Search results showed a 2026 New Brunswick regulation and a 2026 c.16 statute, which suggests the changes may have been enacted, but I did not open them. The 'open' status is therefore partly an inference.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Newfoundland and Labrador Venture Capital Tax Credit

A non-refundable tax credit for individuals and corporations that invest in a Qualifying Venture Capital Fund (QVCF), which in turn invests in qualifying small businesses.

Terms / fees: 30% of the amount invested in a QVCF. Maximum credit $75,000, which corresponds to a lifetime investment cap of $250,000 per investor. Not available to trusts. Carry back 3 years or forward 7 years, with no claims for years before 2014. Shares must be held 5 years or part of the credit is repaid.

Eligibility: Qualifying small business: incorporated, with at least 80% of assets in the province. No more than 100 full-time equivalent positions. At least 75% of wages paid to employees working in the province. Equity capital under $10M. Qualifying sectors include IP, IT, clean/ocean/marine technology, life sciences, new media and value-added export manufacturing. Excluded: wholesale and retail, food and liquor, financial services, real estate, oil and gas, mineral exploration, fish harvesting.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: unclear. The page was last modified December 10, 2024 and describes the program in the present tense but does not state whether it is currently open. Investment is through a fund, not directly into a small company. Search also surfaced a separate Direct Equity Tax Credit page, which I did not open.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit (incl. CEDIFs)

A personal tax credit for Nova Scotians who invest in registered small businesses, co-operatives and community economic development initiatives, including Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs).

Terms / fees: 35% of the amount invested (for investments after Dec 31, 2009). Up to $50,000 invested per year, for a maximum annual credit of $17,500. Not refundable. Carry forward 7 years or back 3 years. CEDIF investors get an extra 20% credit after holding shares at least 10 years and an extra 10% after at least 15 years, if the fund applies in time. The base CEDIF rate is not stated on the CEDIF investor page.

Eligibility: Federally incorporated corporation or co-operative engaged in active business or investing in eligible businesses. Under $25M in assets and/or revenues including associated companies. At least 25% of salaries and wages paid in Nova Scotia. Corporations need at least three eligible investors per issue and common voting shares that are non-redeemable, non-retractable and non-convertible. Co-operatives must be marketing, producing or employee co-operatives. A Certificate of Registration is required before issuing shares.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: open. The investor and business pages both say the credit 'will continue to be available until 2 March 2032'. The investor page was last updated 23 September 2025. Also opened: the CEDIF investor and business pages. A separate Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit exists. It is 35% for individuals (45% for oceans technology and life sciences), with up to $250,000 invested per year. Its page does not state intake status and was last modified Sept 23, 2025. See https://novascotia.ca/finance/en/home/taxation/tax101/personalincometax/innovationequitytaxcredit.aspx

Official site checked 2026-10-31

PEI Equity Investors Incentive

No PEI 'Equity Tax Credit' was confirmed on an official page. The related official program is the Equity Investors Incentive, a non-repayable direct rebate from Innovation PEI to investors in approved PEI companies (a rebate, not a tax credit).

Terms / fees: Equity Investors Incentive: up to 20% of the purchase price of the equity investment, paid as a direct rebate. Total rebates for all investors cannot exceed $200,000 per approved investee company.

Eligibility: Taxable private Canadian corporation with head office and primary operations in PEI. Operating in PEI for at least one year. Exports goods or services in a strategic sector (for example bioscience, aerospace and defence, clean technology). At least 75% of payroll to PEI residents. Fewer than 50 employees and assets under $10M. Approval and a signed contract with Innovation PEI are required before accepting investments. Investors collectively hold no more than 49% of voting interest. 4-year monitoring period.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: unclear. The Equity Investors Incentive page was published January 5, 2024 and does not state whether applications are open. It says the program is subject to an annual budget and that not all eligible applicants will be approved. The PEI tax credits page opened did not mention an Equity Tax Credit. Verified for the Equity Investors Incentive only. The PEI Community Economic Development Business (CEDB) share program was mentioned on the tax credits page, but no credit rate was shown. Do not describe it as a tax credit.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Saskatchewan SME Investment Tax Credit

Could not confirm a general Saskatchewan Venture Capital Tax Credit on an official page. The official SME Investment Tax Credit pilot is a narrower credit for individuals and corporations investing in eligible Saskatchewan manufacturers.

Terms / fees: SME Investment Tax Credit: 45% non-refundable credit. Up to $225,000 of credit per annual investment, with a claim cap of $140,000 per year per eligible investment. Program-wide limit of $7M in total credits per year, first-come, first-served. Credits carry forward 7 years.

Eligibility: Saskatchewan-based, with 5 to 49 employees and at least 50% living in Saskatchewan. Operating in food and beverage manufacturing, machinery manufacturing or transportation equipment manufacturing. May raise up to $4M. Investors need a minimum of $25,000 (individuals) or $50,000 (corporations) and a 3-year hold.

How to apply / use: The company applies to the province for registration or approval before it issues shares. Investors claim the credit on their tax return. Confirm current rules with the province.

Program status: open. The SME page describes a 'three-year pilot program' running July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. No official page for a Saskatchewan Venture Capital Tax Credit was opened. Search returned only third-party pages about the old labour-sponsored fund credit. The record is verified for the SME credit only. The Saskatchewan Venture Capital Tax Credit itself is unverified, so treat it as unconfirmed. The Saskatchewan Technology Start-up Incentive (STSI) also appeared in search results but was not opened.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Accord Financial (AccordExpress Factoring, Canada)

Canadian receivables financing. The Canada page is headlined 'Fast A/R Financing from $500K to $2MM'.

Terms / fees: $500K to $2MM (as stated in the page headline).

Eligibility: Not listed on the page.

How to apply / use: Use the 'Apply Now' button on the Canada contact page. Steps are not described.

The $500K minimum makes this unsuitable for most start-ups. It suits established small and mid-size firms with receivables.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Liquid Capital (invoice factoring and asset-based lending)

Offers invoice factoring and asset-based lending.

Terms / fees: Rates, fees and advance percentages are not published on the page.

Eligibility: No criteria stated on the page.

How to apply / use: Use the 'Apply Now' button on the site.

The email is a link on the page but the address is not shown. The Western Canada focus is the site's wording; confirm national coverage with the company.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Desjardins Startup Prize (University of Toronto Entrepreneurship)

Annual pitch competition with about $100K in prizes across an Early-Stage and a Late-Stage track. The 2026 pitch event took place on March 5, 2026.

Terms / fees: Early-Stage: $15,000 / $10,000 / $5,000 for 1st to 3rd, plus a $4,000 People's Choice. Late-Stage: $40,000 / $20,000 / $10,000, plus a $4,000 People's Choice. Winners also get up to $5,000 in-kind legal support and an ONRamp membership.

Eligibility: Early-Stage: under $50,000 cumulative funding and under $25,000 cumulative revenue as of November 29, 2025. Late-Stage: $50,000 to $250,000 funding and under $100,000 revenue. Any affiliation requirement with the university was not stated on the page.

How to apply / use: The page does not describe applying. Its sidebar says applications are open for the 2027 prize.

The 2026 event is over. U of T affiliation may be required but this was not confirmed on the page. Check the Desjardins Startup Prize page for the 2027 rules.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Startup Global National Pitch Competition (Startup Canada)

A national pitch series run by Startup Canada, with stops in Canadian cities and a virtual round, ending in a Grand Finale in Mississauga.

Terms / fees: Grand Finale winner $30,000, with no second or third place. Each of four finalists receives $8,500 for reaching the finale. $1,000 People's Choice Award at every stop. Two in-person pop-up competitions each pay $15,000 to the winner.

Eligibility: No formal criteria stated in the announcement.

How to apply / use: Registration links were given for the Halifax stop (April 29, 2026) and the Virtual round (May 26, 2026).

The announcement is from the first half of 2026 and the listed stops have passed (today is 2026-10-31). The Grand Finale date was not given. Check startupcan.ca for the 2027 edition before listing.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Alberta Corporate Registry (Service Alberta)

Registry for Alberta corporations; filings go through registry agents.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Alberta Securities Commission (ASC)

Regulates securities and capital markets in Alberta.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF, Québec)

Regulates securities and financial markets in Québec.

Details come from a 2021 directory hosted by the OSC. A corporate-finance issuer email (financementdessocietes@lautorite.qc.ca) was listed there but no general email was confirmed. Re-check on lautorite.qc.ca.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

BC Registries and Online Services

BC registry for companies, societies and cooperatives. A name request is required before incorporating.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC)

Regulates securities and capital markets in BC.

Contact details come from a 2021 directory hosted by the OSC, not from the BCSC's current pages. Re-check on bcsc.bc.ca.

Unverified: confirm on the official site

Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA)

Umbrella body of the provincial and territorial securities regulators. Publishes the national instruments behind start-up crowdfunding (NI 45-110) and the prospectus exemptions (NI 45-106).

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Corporations Canada (federal incorporation)

Federal registry for incorporating a CBCA corporation. Online incorporation fee is $200 per the program page.

Terms / fees: $200 online.

No phone, email or address was published on the pages read; use the contact page on the site.

Partly verified: confirm before relying on it

Ontario Business Registry (ServiceOntario)

Registry for Ontario corporations and business names. Government fee for an Ontario (OBCA) incorporation is $300.

Terms / fees: $300 for an OBCA corporation.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)

Regulates securities and capital markets in Ontario. Hosts the electronic filing portal used for reports of exempt distribution in Ontario.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Registraire des entreprises du Québec (Services Québec)

Québec enterprise register; handles incorporation of legal persons.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

U.S. SEC Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation

Helps small businesses with US capital-raising questions (Reg CF, Reg A, Reg D).

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Shopify Capital (Canada)

Shopify's Help Center lists Canada among the countries where eligible merchants can get Shopify Capital. Funding is based on the store's location, history, and use of the Shopify platform.

Terms / fees: Not listed on the page I read. It refers to a separate Canada page, 'Shopify Capital loans and repayment for merchants in Canada'.

Eligibility: Offers depend on store location, history and platform use. Trusts and partnerships are not supported. Merchants receive an offer if they qualify.

How to apply / use: Check the Finance page in your Shopify admin for an offer.

Only available to existing Shopify merchants. Fees and repayment terms were not read from the official site, so none are given.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Indiegogo

Reward and pre-order crowdfunding site. Its help center footer now reads Gamefound 2026, so confirm who operates it and its current creator terms.

Only a help index was read. Check fees and eligibility on the site before planning a campaign.

Partly verified: confirm before relying on it

Kickstarter

Reward-based crowdfunding platform run by Kickstarter, PBC. Creators collect pledges for projects; no shares are sold.

Terms / fees: 5% of funds raised, charged only if the project succeeds, plus payment processing about 3% + $0.20 per pledge (US figures; Canadian fees not shown on the page read). No fees if the goal is not reached.

How to apply / use: Launch a project with a funding goal and rewards; if the goal is not reached, nothing is collected.

Canadian creator eligibility and fees should be confirmed on Kickstarter's own pages.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

Community Forward Fund

Lends to non-profits, charities and non-profit social enterprises. It has worked with groups in housing, arts, renewable energy, food and community spaces.

Terms / fees: Flexible financing customized to each borrower. No amounts published on the fetched page.

Eligibility: Non-profits, charities and non-profit social enterprises. It favours organizations committed to making a difference in their communities.

How to apply / use: See the Application Process page and the online Intake Form on the site.

Not for for-profit start-ups. Relevant only to non-profit or social-enterprise founders.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

SBA 7(a) Loan Program

SBA-guaranteed loans made by participating lenders to small businesses. You work with the lender, not with SBA.

Terms / fees: Maximum loan $5 million. The page's Working Capital Pilot section lists an 85% guarantee up to $150,000 and 75% above, 60-month maximum maturity, and interest rate caps over the base rate of +6.5% for $50,000 or less down to +3.0% for $350,001 and up.

Eligibility: Not stated in the text I retrieved. Businesses must be US-based under SBA rules for other programs; confirm for 7(a).

How to apply / use: Apply through a local lender. Use the Lender Match tool at https://lending.sba.gov/lender-match. The lender will list the documents needed.

No phone or email was given. SBA District Offices are listed at https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-district-offices/. Canadian-only businesses generally would not qualify, so this applies to a US-connected business.

Official site checked 2026-10-31

SBA Microloan Program

Small loans delivered through SBA-approved intermediary lenders. The lender makes all credit decisions and sets terms.

Terms / fees: Up to $50,000, average about $13,000. Maximum term 7 years. Intermediary rates generally 8% to 13%. Cannot be used to repay existing debt or buy real estate.

Eligibility: For-profit businesses located in the U.S. that meet SBA size standards and are not in an ineligible category. Certain not-for-profit childcare centers may qualify.

How to apply / use: Work with an SBA-approved intermediary lender in your area, found through SBA's list of microlenders.

The microlender list page is searchable by state and shows each lender's address, phone and email. One example shown there is Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (info@aceloans.org, 678-335-5600, serving Georgia).

Official site checked 2026-10-31

SBA Resource Partners (SBDCs, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers)

SBA-supported local counselling and training network. The page lists SBDCs for training and counselling, SCORE for mentoring, VBOCs for veterans and WBCs for women-owned businesses.

How to apply / use: The page does not say how to find a partner. SBA's 'Find local assistance' tool is the likely route (not fetched).

Support is counselling and training, not funding. Cost and contact details were not stated on the page.

Official site checked 2026-10-31