Deadline: Submit your application by October 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Description:
The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs 2025 – 2026 (RAISE) is a grant program that supports Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs who live and operate their small business in Ontario. The grant program will provide:
business development training
culturally responsive and tailored business coaching
networking opportunities
a one-time grant of $10,000
Eligibility: Eligible business owners must be:
Indigenous, Black or racialized (self-identification is required in the application)
18 years of age or older
legally permitted to operate a business in Canada
currently living and actively operating the business in Ontario
(a) the sole proprietor of the business if it is operated as a sole proprietorship, (b) have ownership of at least 50% of the business if it is a corporation, or (c) be active in the business and have an entitlement to at least 50% of proceeds, if the business is a partnership
demonstrate commitment to participating in the training and coaching, including networking components of the program (minimum total time requirement of 10 hours), as well as developing a Business Action Plan to grow the business
To qualify for the program, your business must:
be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
employ 1 to 5 full-time equivalent employees or up to 10 full-time equivalent employees for businesses in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (as defined by the North American Industry Classification System), including the applicant as the business owner
be operational in Ontario on September 10, 2025 and while participating in the program
have an annual gross revenue that does not exceed $750,000
be in the market demonstrating sales or revenue
have commercial general liability insurance with a limit of at least $2 million for the business
demonstrate need for and intended use of the grant funding
the nature of the business is legal under applicable laws in Ontario and Canada
be in compliance with filing, reporting and other requirements under the federal Income Tax Act or as established by the Canada Revenue Agency
attest that it is in compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and hate-related laws under the Criminal Code
Your business must not be:
a business or applicant that participated in the RAISE grant program in previous years
early development businesses (for example, business idea only, not yet registered with the CRA)
mature businesses planning for exit through sale
franchises, including those individually owned and operated
not-for-profit organizations or charities
Crown corporations, government agencies, public administration or political organizations
businesses that involve illegal, harmful or sexually exploitive activities
businesses that process or sell tobacco, firearms, other weapons and related equipment:
An exemption exists for businesses that process or sell tobacco for traditional Indigenous cultural or spiritual purposes.
property rental including residential, commercial and student housing
quasi-financial institutions or money service and money transfer businesses (including insurance companies and financial services companies)
cryptocurrency (for example, Bitcoin) businesses and traders
businesses brokering funds or taking on fiduciary duty handling funds for clients (including investment, insurance and real estate brokers who handle funds in trust for clients)
collection agencies
businesses with ideas only or unproven products and services are not eligible
businesses that raise investment capital for other businesses
businesses with shares offered for public sale
businesses that limit memberships for purposes other than capacity or regulations
businesses with social media history or other activity that is inconsistent with the purposes and mandate of the RAISE Grant Program and Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategy may be determined to be ineligible on a case-by-case basis
Program guidelines
More information can be found on the RAISE application portal and in the User Application Guide.
Contacts
For questions, email RAISE@ontario.ca. Video Relay Service (VRS) for Deaf and hard of hearing persons is available at 437-538-4850.
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