If you're new to doing business in Canada, there are many resources available to get you started on the right foot.
Province of Ontario
The Province of Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade works to support a strong, innovative economy that can provide jobs, opportunities and prosperity. Learn how the provincial government can help your business by finding available resources and information, such as hiring incentives, business supports, funding and networking opportunities, and more.
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada provides valuable information and resources on:
- Starting a business
- Maintaining and protecting your business
- Business grants and financing
- Business taxes
- Hiring and managing employees
- International trade and investment
- Permits, licences and regulations
- Research, development and innovation
- Doing business with government
- Intellectual property and copyright
- Incorporating or making changes to a business corporation
Starting and operating your business as a newcomer to Canada
Explore the business resources available for newcomers to Canada.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre |
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Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre offers small business owners and entrepreneurs in Windsor-Essex with many different supports including:
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Community Futures Essex County |
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Community Futures Essex County is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing business financing and counseling to entrepreneurs in rural Essex County. Small and medium-sized businesses can apply for loans of up to $250,000. |
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) provides financing and advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses, including newcomers to Canada with little to no credit history, limited knowledge of the local business environment or those facing cultural and language barriers. |
Accelerator |
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Accelerator offers office space, business seminars, on-site mentoring and business plan development to start-up businesses looking to grow. |
EPICentre |
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EPICentre at the University of Windsor offers entrepreneurship programs, co-working space., workshops, activities and competitions for students and recent graduates. |
Futurepreneur Canada |
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Futurepreneur Canada is a non-profit organization that offers mentorship and business loans of up to $60,000 to youth, ages 18 to 39, who are starting a business. Their loan program includes a stream for newcomers to Canada who have little to no credit history. |
Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre |
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Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre at St. Clair College is a hub for entrepreneurship training and supports as well as professional development for students, alumni, faculty and the community members. |
Business Guide for Newcomers to Canada |
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The Government of Canada has a Business Guide for Newcomers to Canada that will provide you with the basic steps for starting your business in Ontario. |
New Canadians' Centre of Excellence |
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New Canadians' Centre of Excellence offers business development advisory services to support newcomers to Windsor with information on starting and growing a business. |
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program |
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The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream allows entrepreneurs from outside of Canada to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario. |
WEtech Alliance |
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WEtech Alliance helps technology companies grow through a variety of business development programs and services. |
Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women |
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Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women provides job seekers with one-on-one counselling career goal setting and exploration events as well as Startup Project, a training and mentorship program to help women launch a small business. |
The Canadian advantage
The benefits that Windsor-Essex provides business owners and entrepreneurs is second to none. Take advantage of our business-friendly offerings:
- Low Canadian dollar
- Low healthcare costs
- Serviced land costs among the continent's most attractive
- Low Ontario corporate tax rate for manufacturers compared to U.S.
- A diverse community with 22 per cent of the population foreign born