Ontario expands RAISE grant to empower entrepreneurs

Ontario has announced the launch of the 2025-26 edition of the RAISE (Racialized and Indigenous Support for Entrepreneurs) Grant program, a multi-million-dollar initiative designed to address systemic barriers and strengthen opportunities for underrepresented business owners across the province.

The program, now entering its fourth year, will invest an additional $5 million to help entrepreneurs from racialized and Indigenous communities grow their businesses, access training, and navigate the complex realities of today’s economy. Applications opened this week and will close on October 1, with successful applicants eligible for grants of up to $10,000.

Beyond financial support, recipients will also participate in an eight-week online business coaching program. The training is designed to provide practical skills in areas such as marketing, commercial leasing, and business planning, while also fostering networking opportunities with peers and mentors. According to government data, 99 per cent of participants completed last year’s training and saw their average annual revenues increase by $60,000. More than one-third went on to hire additional employees.

Officials emphasized that small businesses are the backbone of Ontario’s economy, and ensuring equitable access to growth opportunities is essential for building a strong and inclusive marketplace.

“When we invest in small businesses, they invest in our communities,” one official said, noting that the grant has already produced inspiring success stories across the province.

One example highlighted was Crafty Ramen in Kitchener, which expanded operations and strengthened its business model after receiving support last year. Another, Siena Vida, a Toronto-based hair accessories brand, reported twelve-fold sales growth and expanded its wholesale catalog into more than a dozen stores nationwide after completing the program.

Community outreach was a central theme of the launch. Questions from cultural and ethnic media outlets focused on how the program would reach entrepreneurs in smaller towns and rural areas, as well as those with limited awareness of government resources. Officials pledged to broaden outreach beyond the Greater Toronto Area to cities such as Windsor, North Bay, Thunder Bay, and Ottawa, while encouraging media partners to help spread the word.

Concerns were also raised about structural challenges faced by many entrepreneurs, including precarious employment and difficulties with commercial leasing. In response, officials stressed that the business coaching component is equally important as the grant itself. By providing access to world-class instructors and mentors through Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ, the program aims to give participants the long-term tools to succeed rather than just short-term financial relief.

The RAISE program is open to all sectors, including retail, food service, manufacturing, and professional services. To qualify, applicants must be Ontario residents with valid business licenses and meet the criteria outlined in the province’s Anti-Racism Act definition of racialized groups.

Officials acknowledged ongoing calls from multicultural media for greater direct advertising support to ensure that programs like RAISE reach grassroots communities. They pledged to continue strengthening partnerships with ethnic media while also ensuring transparency in how government advertising is distributed.

As Ontario faces economic uncertainties, from global instability to shifting trade dynamics, the RAISE program is positioned as both a business development tool and a statement of equity. With proven results and growing demand, the initiative represents an ongoing effort to ensure that prosperity in the province is truly shared.

Apply here.    The deadline is October 1, 2025

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