Business Funding
Government programs, the CSBFP, bank loans, grants and business plans.
CSBFP vs Personal Loan vs HELOC: How Ontario Small Businesses Should Borrow
CSBFP is a loan, not a grant. Stack it against a personal loan and a HELOC so you borrow against the right collateral — and for the right use of funds.
Funding for Indigenous Entrepreneurs in Ontario (2026)
From Aboriginal Financial Institutions and the NACCA network to the federal Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program, BDC Indigenous financing and the CSBFP, here is the map of indigenous business funding for First Nations, Metis and Inuit founders in Ontario.
Funding for Young Entrepreneurs in Ontario (2026)
From Futurpreneur financing and mentorship to Ontario youth grants like Summer Company and Starter Company Plus, here is the funding open to young founders in Ontario and how to prepare a strong application.
Funding for Women Entrepreneurs in Ontario (2026)
From the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and its Loan Fund to microloans, women-focused organizations, and general programs open to everyone, here is the funding landscape for women-owned businesses in Ontario.
Is Government Money Free? Why the CSBFP Is a Loan, Not a Grant
People search for the government grant for small businesses expecting free money. The truth: most government funding, including the CSBFP, is a loan you repay. Real grants exist but are rare, narrow and competitive.
CSBFP Line of Credit vs Term Loan: Which Should You Apply For?
The CSBFP has two parts — a term loan for capital purchases and a line of credit for working capital. Here is what each one funds, the limits, when to use each, and how they combine.
How Much Can You Borrow Under the CSBFP? (2026 Loan Limits)
The CSBFP caps out at $1.15 million per borrower, but the cap is not the amount you get. Here is how the CSBFP loan limits work, what counts toward them, and how to size and justify your ask.
CSBFP Eligibility: Who Qualifies (and Who Doesn't) in 2026
Most for-profit small businesses in Canada qualify for the CSBFP — but farming, not-for-profits, and charities do not. Here is exactly who is eligible and what the money can fund.
Funding for Newcomer & Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Ontario
From the CSBFP to newcomer startup financing, microloans and grants, here is the full range of funding open to newcomer and immigrant entrepreneurs starting a business in Ontario.
Grants vs Loans for Small Business: What's the Difference & Which to Chase
Grants are free money you do not repay — but they are hard to win and slow. Loans are repayable but available and fast. Here is how to decide which to chase for your small business in Canada.
How to Write a Business Plan for a Bank Loan in Canada (Template + Checklist)
A section-by-section template for a business plan for a bank loan in Canada — executive summary through cash flow — with a fillable checklist of what the lender looks for in each part.
What Lenders Want in a Business Plan: A GTA Founder's Checklist
Banks and CSBFP lenders fund repayment ability, not ideas. Here are the nine plan components — from cash flow to collateral — that move your loan from "maybe" to "approved."
CSBFP Explained: Is the Canada Small Business Financing Program a Grant or a Loan?
Many founders assume the Canada Small Business Financing Program is free money. It is not. Here is what the CSBFP actually is, who qualifies, and how to apply through a participating bank.
Small Business Grants in Ontario 2026: What You Can Actually Get
Grants are money you generally do not repay — but they are competitive and come with rules. Here is how small business grants work in Ontario in 2026, and how to improve your odds.
Business Loans for Newcomers to Canada with No or Thin Canadian Credit History
Newcomers often struggle to get business financing because they have little or no Canadian credit history. Here are the real options and how to build an application lenders will approve.
Ready to launch your business?
Talk to our team and take the first step today — no obligation.