Top 5 Government Funding Programs SMBs Should Know About in 2025

Owning and operating your own business comes with a unique set of challenges—but it also gives you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on your community. Whether you're launching a start-up or scaling an existing venture, gaining financial support can help make your growth more sustainable and allow you to focus on what matters most: innovation, team development, and delivering exceptional products or services.

That’s where GrantMatch comes in. We’re here to help Canadian entrepreneurs discover the funding opportunities that will empower their business journey in 2025 and beyond.

Explore these five high-impact funding programs available to small and medium-sized businesses across Canada:

1. Futurpreneur Canada

Best for: Young entrepreneurs (ages 18–39) starting or growing a business

Futurpreneur is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping young, diverse entrepreneurs access mentorship and financing. Whether you're turning a side hustle into a full-time venture or launching a brand-new start-up, this program offers tailored support to meet your needs.

Key Streams:

• Core Startup Program, Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP), and Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP):

  • Collateral-free loans up to $75,000

  • Up to two years of mentorship

  • Specialized resources and networking opportunities

• Side Hustle Program:

  • Collateral-free loans up to $25,000

  • Designed to help entrepreneurs grow their business while keeping a full-time job

Application Status: Open year-round

2. Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)

Best for: Businesses hiring seasonal staff

Planning for summer staffing? Canada Summer Jobs offers wage subsidies to eligible small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, helping you hire young Canadians aged 15 to 30 for the summer season. It's a win-win: students gain meaningful experience, and your team gets a boost during peak months.

Funding Focus:

• Covers up to 100% of the minimum wage for eligible hires

• Great for retail, food service, tourism, and other seasonal industries

Tip: Application periods typically reopen in the fall, so stay prepared!

3. Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)

Best for: Agricultural and agri-food businesses

SCAP is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that supports growth in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors. If you run a farm, greenhouse, or food production business, SCAP offers funding for innovation, marketing, exports, and sustainability initiatives.

Key Stream:

• AgriAssurance Program – SME Component:

  • Up to $50,000 in 50/50 cost-shared funding

  • Helps your business meet export market requirements through assurance systems

Note: Program eligibility varies by province, and SCAP also includes Business Risk Management (BRM) programs.

4. Business Scale-Up and Productivity Program

Best for: Growing SMEs with a clear innovation or expansion plan

As part of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) initiative, this program provides repayable contributions to help Canadian businesses scale. Whether you're adopting new technology, developing a product, or expanding into new markets, this funding can give your growth the lift it needs.

Available in: British Columbia and Quebec (2025)
Eligible Activities:

• Tech adoption

• Market expansion

• Facility upgrades

• Productivity enhancements

5. Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)

Best for: Women-led businesses and start-ups

WES is an initiative by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada that helps women entrepreneurs access funding and support to grow their business and reach new markets.

Key Stream:

• Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund:

  • Loans of up to $50,000

  • Prioritizes women launching new ventures

Whether you're just getting started or preparing to scale, WES is designed to help close the gender gap in business funding.

Find the Right Funding with GrantMatch Hub

At GrantMatch, we understand that finding the right grant or loan can be overwhelming. That’s why we created the GrantMatch Hub - Canada’s premier grant discovery platform for small and medium-sized businesses.

For just $25/month (annual plan), you’ll gain access to:

• Customized, always-updated program matches

• Clear program summaries and deadlines

• Application tips and strategic guidance

✅ Ready to evolve your business in 2025?

Let’s find the funding that fits your goals.
Explore GrantMatch Hub →