Description: The Initiative helps primary producers and processors address local labour force challenges in the agri-food sector with pilot projects that implement:

• innovative attraction strategies

• recruitment strategies

• retention strategies

$ Available:  50% of eligible costs, up to $40,000 for individual businesses.
Program Area: Ontario
Application Timeline: Applications accepted until September 2, 2025 or the funding has been allocated, whichever is first.

Description: Futurpreneur Canada provides youth age 18-39 with the opportunity for low interest financing for their business, as well as an internationally recognized mentoring program. This program is administered by Futurpreneur, in collaboration with BDC, RBC and the Government of Canada

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$ Available:  Up to $75,000

Program Area: Canada

Application Timeline: Currently Open

Administered By: Futurpreneur

More Information: https://futurpreneur.ca/en/

Description: Starter Company Plus is a business development program that helps you develop the skills you need to run your business with confidence and create a solid plan for your business to reduce the risk. When enrolled in the Starter Company Plus Program, you’ll work one on one with a business advisor and mentor every step of the way. Our workshops and training sessions provide you with the resources, knowledge and tools you need, from business fundamentals, marketing and market research, and finances to operations and human resources. Knowledge share and learn from like-minded people while networking with other entrepreneurs in Bruce County. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for and receive a $5,000 grant to put towards your business start up costs!

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$ Available:  $5,000

Program Area: Bruce County

Application Timeline: Enrollment opens August 25th for the 2025-26 program.

Description: The Spark Mentorships and Grants Program will match selected applicants from the region with a tourism mentor, provide a $3,000 grant and additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert (mentors are not pre-selected; matches are tailored to the mentee’s focus areas)

• $3,000 in seed funds to support tourism idea development activities

• Additional partner support and resources

• Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders​

All program applicants will be invited to join our “Spark” community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one’s, and development workshops.

$ Available:  $3,000
Program Area: Bruce County
Application Timeline: Applications for 2025 are close. Stay tuned for 2026.

Description: COJG provides funding to help businesses train their employees and update their skills. This helps employers ensure their workforce has the right skills to adapt to a changing economy. The grant lets employers choose who to train, and what skills to focus on to address their needs. Employers can use the grant to:

• train existing employees to upgrade their skills

• train new hires, whether currently employed elsewhere or unemployed

Employers and the government share the costs of the training. An approved third-party training provider must deliver the training.

$ Available:  Up to $10,000. Employer pays 1/6 of the training costs.
Program Area: Ontario
Application Timeline: Currently Open

Administered by: Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
More Information: www.ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-job-grant-cojg

Description: Through the sales of community bonds, the Fair Finance Fund supports local food and farm social enterprises in accessing the capital and mentorship they need to grow and thrive. Whether you’re a food or farm business owner or interested in investing for social impact, you can help build sustainable local food systems, grow local economies and strengthen climate resilience.

$ Available:  $20,000 to $200,000 loans

Program Area: Ontario

Application Timeline: Ongoing​

More Information: https://www.fairfinancefund.org/

Description: Bruce County is proud to help young entrepreneurs through Summer Company – a training, mentorship, and grant program for students to run their own company. In partnership with the Province of Ontario, the program is available for youth between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall. 

As a Summer Company entrepreneur, you get:

• Start-up money to kick-off a new summer business

• Hands-on business training, advice and mentorship from local business leaders

• An award of up to $3,000, with $1,500 up front to help with any start-up costs

$ Available:  $3,000
Program Area: Bruce County
Application Timeline: Applications for 2025 are close. Stay tuned for 2026

Description: 

Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Ontario farmers who are experiencing financial difficulty may qualify to access financial advisory services to complete a Farm Financial Analysis.

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The Farm Financial Analysis:

• provides a review of your farm business’ past financial performance

• provides an analysis of the current business climate

• develops objectives and identifies options to meet profitability and sustainability goals.

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A farm business’s eligibility under the financial difficulty provision will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Documentation supporting financial difficulty must be provided with the application. Approved applicants may receive 100% cost-share, paid directly to a qualified farm advisor after the project is complete and all required claim documentation is received and deemed satisfactory.

$ Available:  The cost of a farm financial anaylsis
Program Area: Ontario-wide
Application Timeline: Ongoing