Business Programs

The Procurment and Investment Readiness Fund
Note: This is for established Social Enterprises only.
Is your Social  Enterprise ready to take the next big step? The Procurement and Investment Readiness Fund (PIRF) is a fund for social enterprises to assess their procurement and investment readiness, and to access the services and capacity building supports necessary to successfully compete for procurement and investment opportunities. The Fund is administered by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) in partnership with key leaders from the social enterprise sector.
Grant applications opened on March 15, 2019. For guidelines and to apply visit: www.RIPF

Starter Company Plus Program 
Starter Company Plus is a Government of Ontario program delivered by Enterprise Renfrew County. Participants will receive business training, mentoring and an opportunity to compete for an award of up to $5,000 which can be used for starting, expanding or purchasing a business. 
For full details visit Starter Company Plus Program
The Food Venture Program
Offers courses for food and beverage entrepreneurs who are looking to start or build their businesses and learn about the food industry. 
For more information on the various courses visit: Foodventureprogram.com 
PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
Provides programs and services to women across Northern, Northeastern, Eastern, South Eastern, and Central Ontario (excluding the Greater Toronto Area) who are ready to  start, grow or build new opportunities. Women helping women in business, starting a business or get and give support.
PARO Peer Lending Circles, members can apply for grants and loans.
Four stages of Loans.......
1st Stage:  $1,000 *$500 is a loan, $500 grant. Term 9 months @ $60/month
2nd Stage: $2,000 * $1,000 loan, $1,000 grant. Term 9 months @ $120/month
3rd Stage: $3,000 loan. Term 27 months @ $120/month
4th Stage: $5,000 loan. Term 27 months @ $220/month
For more details on the PARO Centre visit: www.paro.ca

Carrot Cache
Is a non-profit organization that supports small projects in Ontario working toward a sustainable and just regional food system. For more details visit: www.carrotcache.com

Summer Company Program
Is a Government of Ontario program for students 15-29 who are interested in exploring entrepreneurship. Students must be a resident of Ontario and their business must be opened in Ontario. Qualifying students can receive awards totalling up to $3,000. Students start their own business and over the course of the summer they get to expericence all aspects of what it takes to operate their own business. For more details visit: www.ontario.ca/summercompany