Are you a student or youth?

The Youth Job Link

This program is available to people between the ages of 15-29 at more than 320 locations across Ontario! As of April 1, 2016, young people will be able to access the following services, available year-round:

• Information on career options to support career decision-making
• Advice on how to build the life skills they need to successfully plan and manage a career
• Opportunities to learn about teamwork, customer service, health and safety and labour rules
• Help with resumé writing, searching and applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews
• Assistance to match their skills and interests with employers that have job opportunities.

Contact Employment Ontario for more info on this program.

Are you starting your own company?

Starter Company

If you’re between the ages of 18-29 years old and are not in school full time you could receive:

• one-on-one guidance from a Small Business Enterprise Centre advisor
• mentoring with a local successful entrepreneur
• access to business workshops on topics from writing a business plan and budgeting, to executing a marketing campaign
• funding of up to $5,000
• experience running a business that will better position you to obtain more traditional financing, such as a bank loan

Aboriginal Business and Entreprenuership Development

If you are Aboriginal or have a majority-owned Aboriginal business, you can apply for up to $99,999 to help you:

• Start or buy a business
• Develop a business plan
• Grow your existing business
• Market your product or service
• Develop new products or processes
• Get business advice

SmartStart Seed Fund

This funding is intended for early-stage opportunities in the Start-up Validation Stage, when the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of their product or service are determined.

• Youth applicants, ages 18- 29, will be eligible for seed funding between $30,000 and $60,000.
• Non-youth applicants, age 30+, will be eligible for seed funding up to $30,000.
• Applicants are required to match OCE’s contribution on a 1:1 basis.

Are you an innovator?

Investment Accelerator Fund

The IAF focuses on IT, Health, and Cleantech sectors with a minimum addressable market size of $100M.

• The IAF invests $250K - $500K in early-stage companies that have the potential to be global leaders in their field and provide sustainable economic benefits to Ontario.

Do you employ youth?

Career Focus

You could get financial assistance if you can offer career-related work experience to young people between the ages of 15 and 30.

To qualify, your business or non-profit:

• Propsed projects must involve a min. of 8 youth participants
• Participants can gain employment experience and skills related to their field of studies or career goals
• Financial assistance may be provided to cover a maximum of 80% of the costs associated with operating and delivering approved activities

Youth Employment Program

Through IRAP, this program provides small and medium-sized (SMEs) with financial assistance to hire young talent. IRAP provides funding under two programs: Youth Employment Program (YEP) and Youth Employment - Green (Youth-Green) program. Some of the eligibility requirements include:

• the SME be incorporated and for-profit
• business have 500 or less FTEs
• intern must be 15-30 years old
• the SME be ready to enhance their innovation capacity and willing to create a trusting relationship with IRAP

Are you working on a project?

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

This fund gives money to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development projects in southwestern Ontario.

The fund supports projects that:

• create jobs
• encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development
• attract private sector investment

The Aboriginal Economic Development Fund

If you are a qualifying aboriginal organization or are partnering with one to provide a multi-community economic project you could be eligible for a grant of up to $250,000 per year. Your organization should be:

• aiming to improve financing, job and training opportunities
• targeting aboriginal communities regionally or Ontario-wide
• an approved aboriginal organization or partnered with one (includes social enterprises)
• incorporated in Canada
• providing 50% matching funds

*Deadlines for applications are the last Friday of May, August, and November*

Are you looking to export?

CanExport by Global Affairs Canada

This new program was introduced in January 2016 to increase the competitiveness of Canadian companies. If you are registered in Canada and are seeking to develop new export opportunities and markets you could be eligible. You must:

• be a for-profit company
• be an incorporated legal entity or a limited liability partnership
• declare between $200,000 and $50 million in annual revenue
• have a min. of one FTE and a max. of 250 FTEs

Invest in your employees:

Canada - Ontario Job Grant

This fund is available for small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees. If you’re an employer with a specific skills demand, the Canadian - Ontario Job Grant might be right for you.

With this grant:

• you will receive up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs
• employers to contribute 1/3 of total costs
• training to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer

Sources:

• Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs
• Canada Business Network
• Global Affairs Canada
• Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities

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