Modern day funding stacks have shifted toward non-dilutive funding to help startups grow and scale. This allows founders to keep more equity in their company while accessing the capital needed to build products, hire talent, and reach new customers. It’s arguably the second best form of funding, right after paying customers.
While venture capital remains an important source of growth capital, not every startup needs to raise outside investment immediately. Grants, tax credits, government programs, startup competitions, accelerators, and fellowships can provide valuable funding without requiring founders to give up ownership.
With billions of dollars available through federal, provincial, and regional programs. From early-stage founders building their first product to growing companies looking to expand into new markets, there are funding opportunities available at nearly every stage of the startup journey.
Besides our funding discovery portal on FundingCake, here are some of the top websites and organizations where Canadian founders can discover grants, funding programs, tax credits, and other startup funding opportunities.
For founders just beginning their funding search, the federal funding portal is often one of the best places to start.
10. ClaimGen
ClaimGen is an AI-powered SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) tax credit platform that helps Canadian startups and innovators access government funding faster and with less friction. Instead of relying on traditional consulting-heavy processes, ClaimGen combines AI workflows with SR&ED expertise to streamline eligibility checks, documentation, and filing. The goal is to reduce the complexity of claiming R&D tax credits while improving accuracy and turnaround time.
For startups investing heavily in product development, engineering, or AI research, ClaimGen can be a useful tool to recover development costs through one of Canada’s most valuable non-dilutive funding programs.
9. PacifiCan
PacifiCan is the federal economic development agency serving British Columbia. The agency provides funding and support to startups, entrepreneurs, scaleups, and innovation organizations throughout the province. Programs are designed to help businesses commercialize technology, increase productivity, enter new markets, and accelerate growth.
British Columbia founders should regularly monitor PacifiCan funding opportunities, especially those focused on innovation, clean technology, and economic development.
8. ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
ACOA helps support entrepreneurs and businesses across Atlantic Canada, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The agency offers funding programs that encourage innovation, business expansion, export development, and economic growth.
Startups can access financial support, advisory services, and resources designed to help them compete both nationally and internationally. For founders operating in Atlantic Canada, ACOA is often one of the most significant sources of government-backed startup funding.
7. Prairies Economic Development Canada
Prairies Economic Development Canada supports businesses throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The agency provides funding programs focused on innovation, technology adoption, commercialization, business growth, and economic diversification. Startups and growing companies can access support to expand operations, develop new products, and create jobs throughout the Prairie region.
Entrepreneurs located in Western Canada’s Prairie provinces should regularly explore opportunities available through the agency.
6. FedNor
FedNor is dedicated to supporting economic development and innovation across Northern Ontario. The organization works with startups, entrepreneurs, Indigenous businesses, nonprofits, and communities to strengthen local economies through business development and innovation initiatives.
Funding programs often support technology adoption, workforce development, entrepreneurship, community growth, and business expansion projects throughout the region.
5. Ontario Business Grants & Funding
The Ontario government offers a variety of funding programs aimed at supporting startups and growing businesses throughout the province.
Programs may include grants, tax credits, hiring incentives, export assistance, training support, and innovation funding. The Ontario funding portal serves as a central resource for discovering opportunities that can help businesses launch new products, hire employees, expand operations, and invest in growth. Ontario entrepreneurs should regularly review provincial funding opportunities alongside federal programs.
4. FedDev Ontario
FedDev Ontario supports businesses, startups, and innovation organizations throughout Southern Ontario. The agency invests in companies operating in sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, life sciences, and other high-growth industries. Programs often focus on innovation, commercialization, business expansion, job creation, and scaling promising Canadian companies.
For founders based in Southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario remains one of the most important government funding organizations to monitor.
3. National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)
NRC IRAP is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most valuable funding programs for innovative startups and technology companies. The program provides financial support and advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses developing innovative technologies, products, and services. Funding can be used to support research and development activities, technical hiring, product development, and commercialization efforts.
Many successful Canadian technology companies have leveraged IRAP funding during their growth journey, making it one of the most sought-after government programs in the country.
2. Government of Canada Funding Portal
The Government of Canada Funding Portal is one of the largest sources of funding information available to Canadian entrepreneurs. The portal allows founders to search grants, loans, wage subsidies, tax incentives, and business support programs offered by the federal government. Opportunities can be filtered by industry, business size, province, and funding type.
1. Boast
Boast helps startups identify and maximize government funding opportunities, particularly Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits and research funding incentives. The company combines software and funding expertise to help founders recover eligible research and development expenses while reducing the complexity associated with funding applications and tax credit claims.
For technology startups investing heavily in product development, engineering, and innovation, Boast can be an important tool for unlocking additional sources of capital.
Canada’s startup ecosystem offers founders far more funding options than traditional venture capital alone. From grants and tax credits to innovation programs and regional economic development agencies, entrepreneurs have access to a wide range of resources designed to help businesses grow while preserving ownership.
While funding is never guaranteed, understanding where to look can significantly improve a startup’s chances of securing capital. By leveraging resources like FundingCake, government funding portals, NRC IRAP, and regional development agencies, founders can uncover opportunities that help transform ideas into thriving companies. The best time to start searching for funding is before you need it. Building a funding strategy early can give your startup a significant advantage as it grows and scales.