Grants & Programs for Entrepreneurs
And Other Useful Resources Updated January 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 women founders
The VISA Grant Program
Deadline Feb 1st
Visa is empowering women entrepreneurs across Canada, offering twenty $10,000 grants and access to an accelerated mentorship program through YSpace, York University.
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 emerging leaders
Broadbent Institute Emerging Leaders Program 2026
Deadline Jan 9th
The Emerging Leaders Program, launched by the Broadbent Institute in 2023, is a training initiative designed to develop early to mid-career organizers and leaders committed to creating a fairer and more inclusive society. The ten-month program equips Emerging Leaders with the skills, mentorship, and networks needed to prepare for Director-level responsibilities.
for small business owners
Zensurance Small Business Grant
Deadline Jan 11th
The Zensurance Small Business Grant is back for a fourth run in – and this time, you could snag a $25,000 or $1,000 grant boost to power up your small business to start 2026! A shortlist of 6 entrants will be announced on January, 19, 2026.
for entrepreneurs
City of Toronto Starter Company Plus Grant
Deadline Jan 12th
The Starter Company Plus Grant – Trade Accelerator Stream is a targeted entrepreneurship support program designed to help small businesses in the City of Toronto enter and scale in international markets. It focuses on building export capacity. Eligible participants receive a $5,000 micro-grant to support export-related business activities.
for nonprofits
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant
Deadline Jan 15th
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is offering a grant in support of a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.
for tech entrepreneurs
Google for Startups Accelerator 2026
Deadline Jan 22nd
Google for Startups Accelerator: Canada is a 10-week hybrid accelerator program designed for Canadian tech startups at the Seed to Series A stage. It helps founders tackle technical challenges with support from Google experts and industry mentors. The program emphasizes AI/ML-driven innovation, product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development.
for indigenous journalists
CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship
Deadline Jan 23rd
The CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship is designed to support emerging Indigenous journalists in exploring issues of interest and increasing coverage of Indigenous topics in Canadian media. Hosted at a CBC location, the fellowship offers professional newsroom experience, editorial guidance, and a platform for national reporting. Recipients get a $30,000 stipend.
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.
