Launch your Start-Up! A new program that teaches business skills and gives $30,000 of seed capital

If you are an entrepreneur with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics in Southern Ontario, and are looking for business support services and financing to successfully launch and manage your start-up business, VentureStart is an ideal opportunity you should explore.
VentureStart is a new program that enhances the success rate of start-up enterprises by providing essential business training for technology entrepreneurs. Plus, your start-up enterprise has the opportunity to be approved for matching seed financing of up to $30,000 (subject to approval).
See details on www.venturestart.ca

Women in business may qualify for grants in Canada

Canadian women looking to start a new business or expand a business should investigate Leadership Grants Organization. This organization allocates grants of up to $100,000 for entrepreneurs and small business owners. New businesses must be ready to launch within six months, and any grants allocated must be used within six months of funding. These grants are especially suitable for women who want to start a home-based business or develop their existing business.

1920 Yonge Street, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M4S 3E2
416-572-7694

Other grant programs for women:

http://www.cdnwomen.org/EN/section07/1_7_1-intro.html


http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/account-resp/pd-dp/dgc-dsc/index-eng.html

OMDC Interactive Digital Media Fund 2010 – Round 2 announced

The second round of the Interactive Digital Media Fund for 2010 has been announced by the OMDC. The deadline for applications is 5pm on September 20, 2010. The guidelines for this round have been posted on the OMDC website. Successful applicants will receive a non-refundable contribution up to $150,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget. For this round, all applications will need to be submitted via the OMDC Online Application Portal. Register your company for access to the Online Application portal here.

Websites sell incorrect info on government grants. Where can you get the right info?

Websites sell incorrect info on government grants. And, to add insult to injury, they would charge you for that.

Where can you go for the correct information on grants and loans? I have good news for you. Canada Business Ontario provides the information for free. Their website is a single source for information on all grants and loans. Just select from the list what you want to do (e.g. “Hire or train people”), et voila: a list of all government grants you are entitled to!

In addition to that, CBO can do marketing research for you and many other things that your start-up business may need. Everything is free! If you need some business-related information they cannot provide, they will refer you to someone who can. (The referral is free as well!)

CBO contact information

Grants in digital media

If you are planning to develop an application in Flash and make it available for some mobile devices (e.g. cellphones, Blackberry), you might try and apply for this grant sponsored by Adobe:

http://www.openscreenproject.org/developers/get_started.html

There is also C3 Ontario program for postsecondary graduates in digital media (DATA members, OCAD and UOIT students):

http://c3ontario.com/documents/StartaBusiness_Program_Guidelines.pdf

SR&ED – for accountants and business management consultants

SR&ED is a government program that refunds companies their expenditures on research and development. (Some information on SR&ED)

How can you benefit from SR&ED if you are not involved in R&D?

If you are an accountant, a business management consultant, or do something else that brings you in touch with many businesses

SR&ED Q&A

What is SR&ED?

SR&ED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) program is a government incentive program. It refunds Canadian companies involved in Research and Development (R&D).

Government incentives for businesses – resource list

For a refreshed and updated list please visit my business website:
A fresher list of government incentives

The resources are mostly for technology and/or design-related Canadian small businesses (some are applicable to other types of businesses as well).

SR&ED – government refund for companies doing research and development

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/txcrdt/sred-rsde/menu-eng.html

(Check here for more details on SR&ED or contact me at tania@sred4you.com for further information. I can help your company obtain SR&ED refunds.)

OITC (Ontario Innovation Tax Credit) – rider to federal SR&ED
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/forms/ct/pdf/0329f.pdf

A comprehensive searchable database of over 250 government programs and services that can help you implement your technology
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/com-inv.nsf/eng/Home

Export Market Access (EMA) is a cost-sharing grant designed to help small to medium sized organizations take advantage of opportunities in foreign markets beyond the US. You can also get a grant for holding an event if it is export-related.

Federal Grants, Subsidies and Contributions Info-Guide with a special focus on entrepreneurs and start-ups
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_ON/display&c=GuideInfoGuide&cid=1184729523117&lang=en

http://www.trra.ca/en/reports/BusinessPrograms.asp
– list of federal and provincial business programs

MINISTRY OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (Ontario)
http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/english/programs/mri.asp

Ontario Business Program Guide
http://www.ontario.ca/businessprograms

http://www.2ontario.com/software/government_programs.asp
– list of programs with summary information, so you don’t have to check each link separately

City of Toronto incentive programs (plus a limited summary of others)

http://www.toronto.ca/invest-in-toronto/incentives.htm

Ontario New Technology Tax incentive (ONTTI)
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/ONTTI/

Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit (OBRITC)
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/ct/6024.html

Apprenticeship training tax credit

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/attc/index.html

Other Ontario tax incentives

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/index.html

Canadian tax incentives for creative industries

For a refreshed and updated list please visit my business website:
A fresher list of government incentives