Grants & Programs for Entrepreneurs
And Other Useful Resources Updated May 2026
for entrepreneurs
Jelly Social's StoryLab Program
January 2026 Cohort: Application Deadline January 14
StoryLab is a free, 4-week virtual storytelling cohort for BIPOC and women founders. We help you turn your pitch into a powerful 60–90 second video you can send to funders, partners, and clients. You’ll work with a coach tos harpen how you talk about your work, and you’ll walk away with a video that finally makes people say, “I get it — and I’m in.” Only 10 spots available!
for SMALL BUSINESSES
DMZ Backing Canadian Small Businesses
Deadline May 19th
The Backing Canadian Small Businesses Grant Program supports locally significant small businesses across Canada. 100 Canadian small businesses will be selected to each receive a $10,000 CAD grant and mentoring support from DMZ.
for entrepreneurs
The Story Lab Cohort
An Evening of Founder Stories: Nov 13th @ 7PM EST
We’re showcasing eight powerful short films about entrepreneurs of color and female entrepreneurs from our own Jelly Social community! These are deeply human narratives about what it really takes to build something meaningful. Whether you’re a fellow founder or just someone who loves a good story — this is a night you won’t want to miss! RSVP now and save your spot for this virtual event.
for BLACK ENTREPRENEURS
Nobellum Innovator Program 2026
Deadline May 31st
The Nobellum Innovator Program is a flagship initiative supporting the development and scaling of Black-led ventures in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Program participants will gain access to over $200,000 in a robust network of tools, resources, and programming
for small business owners
Zensurance Small Business Grant
Deadline June 3rd
The Zensurance Small Business Grant is offering Canadian small businesses a chance to win one of two $10,000 grants or one of eight $1,000 grants to thrive and grow.
for female entrepreneurs
Cartier Women's Initiative
Deadline June 16th
Cartier Women’s Initiative are looking for women-owned and women-led impact-driven businesses. The business should demonstrate that it has realized positive impact in its industry and that it has the potential to realize even more impact as it scales. Businesses will receive up to $100,000.
for arts organizations
City of Toronto Tech Initiatives 2026
Deadline Jan 15th
City of Toronto is currently accepting applications for its Sector Development Grants for Tech Initiative 2026. The Sector Development Grants program supports initiatives that strengthen Toronto’s creative industries by building sector capacity, encouraging innovation, and creating sustainable growth opportunities. Typical grant range: CAD 2,500 to CAD 15,000.
for entrepreneurs
CanExport SMEs Grant
Deadline May 29th
The CanExport SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) program offers competitive funding to help eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises expand into new international markets. The program supports businesses by sharing the costs of export-related activities. Successful projects may receive up to $50,000 in funding.
for indigenous entrepreneurs
Indigenous Pitch Competition
Deadline June 1st
Indigenous vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs from both Canada and the United States are encouraged to pitch their businesses and ideas for a chance at over $100,000 in cash prizes.
for black journalists
CJF Black Journalism Fellowships 2026
Deadline Jan 23rd
The fellowships aim to amplify Black voices, improve coverage of Black issues in the news and cultivate future Black media leaders. Each fellowship provides a unique opportunity for an early-career Black journalist—with one-to-five years’ experience—to be hosted for six months at a CBC/Radio-Canada (English and French), Globe and Mail or CTV News newsroom or at the IJB at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Recipients get a $35,000 stipend.
for healthcare startups
Amplitude Ventures Fellowship Program 2026
Deadline Jan 31st
The Amplitude Fellowship brings a number of outstanding fellows together for the summer so that they can with leaders from their Amplitude Ventures fund and their biotech venture creation studio, Pre-Amp, to conduct a series of in-depth, one-month explorations to identify hypotheses for novel healthcare ventures.
for black arts organizations
Toronto Arts Council Black Arts Grant 2026
Deadline February 9th
The Toronto Arts Council’s Black Arts Annual Operating Funding Program is a grant program designed to provide operational funding to Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving arts organizations in Toronto. Toronto Arts Council is currently accepting applications, with up to $50,000 in grants.
for youth entrepreneurs
RBC Rock My Business Start-up Awards
Deadline June 14th, 2026
Futurpreneur Foundation and RBC present the RBC Rock My Business Start-up Awards, eight awards of $10k each given annually to diverse, young, aspiring entrepreneurs from across Canada, helping kickstart their businesses.
for male entrepreneurs of color
Move. Breathe. Rise.: A Wellness Experience for Male Entrepreneurs
June 11th, 18th, and 25th
We’re excited to share that Jelly Social has partnered with Move.Breathe.Rise. to give you access to a powerful 3-part wellness workshop—at a Pay What You Can rate. This is a virtual wellness experience for men of color— blending movement, breathwork, and community. If you’re a male entrepreneur that has been running on empty, this is your opportunity to tap back in.
