Foodpreneur Advantage is a regional collaboration of Small Business Enterprise Centres. Whether you are starting your food venture, or ready to expand and scale your operation, this is the best place to start.
Grant Programs and Financing
The best business idea is useless if you can’t afford to get it off the ground. There are a number of ways to acquire the financing you need that best suits you, your business and your plans.
Business grant programs
Starter Company Plus is a provincially funded program for people who want to start, expand, or buy a business.
Through this program, you will:
- Receive one-on-one guidance from experienced business advisors
- Participate in six free business workshops, where you will learn about business planning, developing a marketing plan, budgeting, and how to create cash flow projections
- Create your own business plan and financial forecasts
- Work with local mentors with experience in starting, expanding, or buying a business; and
- Pitch your business to a panel of grant committee members for a chance to be awarded a grant of up to $5,000
Funding provided by the Government of Ontario. Please keep in mind that this is a competitive process, and space is limited. Not all program participants will receive a grant; however, business training and support are free of charge to participants. For more information, contact the BRC at brc@brantford.ca or 519-756-4269.
Applications are now closed; they will re-open in July 2027.
Succession Ontario is a free business transition planning hub that helps Ontario’s small business owners prepare for what is next. Whether selling to a third party, transferring the business to family or employees, or winding down, Succession Ontario provides practical tools, self-paced modules, virtual workshops and a free business valuation estimate to help owners plan ahead with confidence.
This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
As part of Succession Ontario, Brantford-Brant BRC offers one-on-one succession planning consultations to help our local business owners take the first step toward their future. Funding provided by the Government of Ontario.
Summer Company is a provincially funded program that provides training, mentoring, and grants up to $3,000 to Ontario students, between the ages of 15 and 29, who wish to start a full-time business over the summer. Funding provided by the Government of Ontario.
This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
Applications are now closed.
Youth Financing and Incentives
- Futurpreneur Canada
- Summer Company
Business financing options
Enterprise Brant is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations serving Southwestern Ontario. They provide business loans and business counselling.
Small Business Financing & Incentives
Contact the Business Resource Centre with any questions or to learn more about one of the grant programs or financing options listed above.
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