Grants

Small Business Enterprise Centre

We highly recommend you connect with the Small Business Enterprise Center (SBEC). SBEC is funded by the Province of Ontario and the County of Lambton. A key part of their mandate is to foster and support small business development and new entrepreneurs in Sarnia and Lambton County through their Starter Company Plus grants. Annually, they offer six (6) grants of $5,000 each. Find additional information here.

SBEC also offers three (3) Summer Company Program grants of $3,000 each annually to youth who want to start their own summer businesses. Find additional information here.

We do not keep an up-to-date roster of available private, Federal, and Provincial grant offerings given that these change so frequently, however, below are some recent grant opportunities about which we are aware.

R.A.I.S.E.

Provides access to business development training, culturally responsive and tailored business coaching, networking opportunities and a one-time grant of $10,000 to support Indigenous, Black, and other racialized entrepreneurs. Applications typically open in December annually.

Desjardins Good Sparks

$20,000 – for businesses in operation for more than one year. The deadline has typically been in December.

Zensurance

$10,000 – for new and growing businesses – applications have typically opened Aug- October.

Visa She’s Next Grant

$10,000 – open to women-owned businesses in operation for a minimum of 2 years – applications have typically opened in April annually.

Pier Five (Mastercard partnership)

$10,000 – Open to women-owned businesses in operation for a minimum of 1 year – applications have typically opened in October annually.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

Up to $10,000 per person for training costs.

Government of Canada Grants and Funding

This link will connect you with the Government of Canada’s website wherein you will find a complete and current listing of grant opportunities.