Funding & Grants

Money is out there.
You just need to know where.

Open grants, BDC programs, Futurpreneur, and provincial funding specifically available to immigrant women entrepreneurs in Canada. Updated quarterly.

💼 24 Active Sources
🔄 Updated Q1 2026
🆓 No application fees
🇨🇦 All Canadian

Currently Open

Active grants & funding

Open Now
Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program
Futurpreneur Canada (Federal)
Up to $20,000
Financing plus up to two years of mentoring support from an expert business mentor. For entrepreneurs 18–39. Newcomers are explicitly encouraged to apply. No prior Canadian business experience needed.
Ages 18–39Newcomer-FriendlyMentorship Included
Deadline: Rolling — apply anytime
Apply Now →
Open Now
BDC Small Business Loan
Business Development Bank of Canada
$10,000 – $100,000+
BDC offers flexible financing specifically for small businesses that have difficulty accessing conventional financing. New Canadians with limited credit history have access to specialized newcomer programs with more flexible criteria.
Newcomer ProgramFlexible CriteriaGovernment-Backed
Deadline: Rolling — apply anytime
Apply Now →
Rolling Intake
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Up to $100,000
Federal program providing women entrepreneurs access to financing, mentoring, networks, and capacity building. ISED regularly funds ecosystem organizations that provide direct support to women founders. Immigrant women are a priority group.
Women-OnlyFederalImmigrant Priority
Deadline: Check portal for next intake
Learn More →
Open Now
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
Employment and Social Development Canada
Up to $15,000
Micro-grants to help small businesses adopt digital technologies. Includes a free digital needs assessment and a $15,000 grant to implement a digital adoption plan. Plus a 0% interest loan up to $100,000 through BDC to implement your plan.
Digital AdoptionTech Upgrade+ BDC Loan
Deadline: Limited — apply soon
Apply Now →
Provincial (ON)
Ontario Small Business Support Grant
Government of Ontario
Up to $20,000
Supports Ontario small businesses that have had to restrict their operations due to public health measures. Provides one-time payment of $10,000 to $20,000 to help with ongoing costs. Available to registered Ontario businesses.
Ontario OnlyOne-Time GrantNo Repayment
Deadline: Check Ontario portal
Check Status →
Always Available
SR&ED Tax Credit (Scientific Research)
Canada Revenue Agency
Up to 35% of eligible expenses
If your business involves any product development, software, or technical problem-solving, you may qualify for SR&ED. Canadian-controlled private corps can claim up to 35% investment tax credits. Many founders don't realize their work qualifies.
Tax CreditTech/R&DRetroactive
Deadline: File with annual tax return
Learn More →
Grant Writing Tips

Win the grants others miss

The IWEC Grant Application Formula

  • Start with your story — funders fund people, not just plans. Your immigrant journey is a strength, not a liability.
  • Quantify everything — not "I serve many clients" but "I serve 47 clients in the Peel Region, 80% of whom are newcomers"
  • Apply widely — submit to every grant you qualify for. Many founders win 3–5 smaller grants before landing a big one.
  • Track deadlines obsessively — set calendar reminders 60, 30, and 7 days before each deadline
  • Recycle your answers — build a grant answer library. 80% of questions repeat across applications.
  • Follow up after submission — a polite check-in email shows initiative and keeps you top of mind.