Running a small business in London or the surrounding Southwestern Ontario region means you have access to some of the most targeted grant programs in Canada. The challenge isn’t that funding doesn’t exist, it does, in real amounts. The challenge is knowing which programs you actually qualify for, what they’re looking for in an application, and how to sequence everything without burning out in the process.
This guide covers the programs most relevant to local business owners right now, what each one requires, and how to position yourself to succeed.
Why Grants Feel So Complicated (And Why They Don’t Have to Be)
Most business owners who look into grants hit three walls quickly: confusion about stacking, anxiety about timelines, and exhaustion from the paperwork. All three are real problems but they’re manageable once you understand how the system works.
The Stacking Question
“Can I apply to more than one grant at a time?” Yes and you often should. Stacking grants means applying to multiple programs for the same project, using funds from each to cover different eligible expenses. A business might use a Starter Company Plus award to launch, then layer in a federal export grant a year later as they grow.
What you can’t do is double-bill the same expense to two programs. Each grant has its own list of eligible costs, and reviewers check for overlap. The key is treating each program as covering a specific slice of your project not the whole thing twice.
The Timeline Problem
Grant windows open and close, sometimes with only a few weeks of notice. Some programs accept applications year-round; others open once a year. Missing a window by a week means waiting another full cycle.
The practical solution is to stay application-ready. That means keeping your financials current, having a business plan that’s been updated in the last six months, and knowing which programs are on the horizon before they open. As financial educator Jessica Moorhouse writes from her experience as a small business owner in Canada, staying on top of the administrative side of your business even when it’s not exciting is what separates businesses that seize opportunities from those that scramble to catch up.
The Key Programs to Know in 2026
Starter Company Plus — Up to $5,000 (London Small Business Centre)
This is the starting point for many London-area entrepreneurs. Administered through the London Small Business Centre on behalf of the Province of Ontario, Starter Company Plus offers grants of up to $5,000 to adults who are starting, growing, or purchasing a small business within Middlesex County.
What you get:
- Up to $5,000 in non-repayable grant funding
- One-on-one business advisor meetings throughout a 5–6 month program
- Group training sessions every two weeks
- Access to mentorship from local entrepreneurs
What you need to qualify:
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario
- Not currently enrolled in school or another government employment program
- Able to commit at least 35 hours per week to running the business
- Must be able to match the grant request — a minimum of $2,500 in cash from your own funds
- Business must operate within Middlesex County
- New businesses must be able to generate sales within 60 days of first funding
Applications for the 2026 intake are expected to open soon. Check the London Small Business Centre website directly for current dates, as they update intake windows regularly.
Who this is for: Early-stage businesses or those expanding for the first time. If you’ve already received a Starter Company Plus grant, you’re not eligible to apply again.
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Up to $5 Million
SWODF is the heavy hitter for businesses that have been operating for at least three years and are ready to grow significantly. It’s a provincial program targeting expansion projects that create jobs and drive regional economic impact across Southwestern Ontario — which includes London, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and surrounding communities.
Funding available:
- Business Stream: up to 15% of eligible project costs, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million in total project investment
- Community Economic Development Stream: up to 50% of project costs, to a maximum of $1.5 million
To qualify for the Business Stream, your business must:
- Have at least 3 years of financial statements
- Employ at least 10 people (5 if located in rural Ontario)
- Commit to creating at least 5 net new full-time jobs (or a 30% workforce increase for smaller companies)
- Invest a minimum of $500,000 in the project ($200,000 in rural Ontario)
- Be located in, or plan to locate in, a qualifying Southwestern Ontario community
Eligible uses include:
- Equipment and technology adoption to improve productivity
- Costs related to entering new markets
- Talent acquisition and training tied to expansion
- Construction or retrofitting of facilities for new operations
New intake windows for 2026 have not yet been formally announced. Historically, SWODF rounds open in late fall or early winter. Start building your project documentation now so you’re not rushing when the window opens.
Who this is for: Established businesses planning a significant expansion with a clear job creation component. This is not a startup grant.
CanExport SMEs — Up to $50,000 for International Expansion
This is a federal program administered by the Trade Commissioner Service that helps Canadian small and medium-sized businesses break into new international markets. It covers up to 50% of eligible export development expenses, with contributions ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per project.
Eligible expenses include:
- International trade show participation
- Market research for a new country or region
- Translation and adaptation of marketing materials
- Intellectual property protection in foreign markets
Basic requirements:
- Canadian-registered business with annual revenues between $100,000 and $100 million
- Fewer than 500 full-time employees
- Targeting a market where you have less than 20% of current revenue
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, which makes this one of the more accessible federal programs for planning purposes. If you’re already exporting to one country and looking to expand to another, this is worth serious attention.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) — Currently Paused
COJG has historically been one of the most used workforce development grants for Ontario businesses, covering up to $10,000 per employee in third-party training costs. Small employers with fewer than 100 staff only contribute one-sixth of training costs — the government covers the rest.
However: as of November 2025, the provincial government placed COJG on pause while conducting a program review. Applications are not currently being accepted.
This is worth monitoring because when the program re-opens, it fills quickly. Businesses that have training needs and have already identified an eligible third-party trainer will be in the best position to apply fast. Check the Ontario government’s COJG page for updates.
Government Funding You May Be Overlooking
City of London Property & Improvement Incentives
If you operate a physical location in London, the City has several municipal incentive programs worth knowing:
- Façade Improvement Loan: Financial support for exterior upgrades — windows, doors, signage, brick repair, painting
- Rehabilitation and Redevelopment Tax Grant: A portion of the municipal tax increase from building rehabilitation is refunded annually for up to 10 years
- Upgrade to Building Code Loan: Covers interior improvements including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection
These programs target specific downtown and Old East Village areas in some cases. Eligibility is property- and location-specific, so checking directly with the City of London’s economic development office is the right first step.
Ontario Business Growth Programs
Beyond the programs above, Ontario supports businesses through:
- Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) Digital programs: Since the federal CDAP program ended, OCI’s Digitalization Competence Centre is the primary source of digital transformation support for Ontario SMEs, including planning grants to assess and implement digital upgrades
- Futurpreneur Canada: A federal program with a strong Ontario footprint offering loans up to $20,000 (or up to $40,000 with BDC co-lending) for entrepreneurs aged 18–39, paired with mentorship
How to Prepare a Strong Application
What Reviewers Actually Look For
Grant reviewers are not just checking a list of eligibility boxes. They’re asking whether your project is viable, whether the numbers make sense, and whether your business has demonstrated it can execute.
Common evaluation criteria across most programs include:
- Evidence that the business is already operational and financially stable
- A credible explanation of how grant funds will be used
- A realistic assessment of the economic impact — particularly job creation
- Demonstrated private investment alongside the grant request (most programs require matching funds)
A business plan written three years ago and never updated will not serve you well. Neither will a set of financial statements that hasn’t been reconciled in six months.
The Financial Records Problem
This is where many applications stall. A grant reviewer asking for two years of financial statements is asking for accurate, organized, and ideally accountant-reviewed documents — not a mix of bank statements and rough estimates.
Businesses that keep clean books throughout the year are not just better prepared for grants. They’re also better positioned to identify which programs they actually qualify for based on revenue thresholds, payroll figures, and project costs. If your financial records are behind or disorganized, that’s the first thing to address — before you spend time on an application. Our small and medium business accounting services are designed specifically to help business owners stay grant-ready year-round.
Ready to Apply? Start With Your Books
The businesses that successfully win grant funding are rarely the ones with the most impressive idea. They’re the ones that are organized, prepared, and able to clearly demonstrate financial health and project viability.
If you’re not sure where your business stands — or if your bookkeeping has gotten away from you — that’s the place to start. Clean financials won’t just improve your grant applications; they’ll give you a clearer picture of which programs you’re actually eligible for and which ones aren’t worth your time right now.
Reach out to Trillium to talk about getting your records into shape before the next grant window opens.
FAQs
Can I apply to multiple small business grants at the same time? Yes. Applying to multiple grant programs simultaneously is called stacking, and it’s common practice. The key restriction is that you cannot claim the same expense twice across different programs. Each grant must cover distinct eligible costs within your project.
How long does it take to get approved for a small business grant in Ontario? Timelines vary widely. Starter Company Plus is a 5–6 month program with funding disbursed after program milestones are met. SWODF reviews can take several months given the size of the projects involved. Federal programs like CanExport typically process applications within 60–90 days. Apply before your project start date — most programs will not fund retroactively.
What financial documents do I need to apply for most grants? Most programs ask for at least two years of financial statements, a current business plan, proof of business registration, and a detailed budget showing how grant funds will be spent. Some programs also require a matching funds commitment, meaning you’ll need documentation of your own financial contribution to the project.
Is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund available to startups? No. SWODF requires a minimum of three years of financial statements and at least 10 employees. It is designed for established businesses planning significant expansion — not early-stage companies. Startups are better served by Starter Company Plus or Futurpreneur Canada.
What happens if a grant program is paused or closed when I apply? If a program is closed, your application will not be accepted. The Canada-Ontario Job Grant is currently paused as of early 2026. Monitor official government program pages for re-opening announcements, and prepare your documentation in advance so you can apply quickly when intake resumes.
