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The cost to start a small business in Ontario
Business Planning

The cost to start a small business in Ontario

So you decided to start your own small business and Ontario.  One of the 1st steps is to determine the various start-up costs that you are going to have to cover.

Small business start-up costs vary from business to business.

  • Is your business online, an e-commerce model?
  • Does your business require a physical location?
  • Does your small business provide a service or a product?
  • Do you have staff?
  • Do you have inventory and supplies?

All of these are questions to answer in order to get a better understanding of the various start of costs for your small business in Ontario.

The good thing is that the Ontario government provides a number of government funding programs including government grants, government loans, and various tax breaks to small business owners starting up.

How much does it cost to start a business in Ontario

A typical small business in Ontario will cost between $5000 to $50,000. It can also go as much as a million dollars or more depending on the type of business.

One of the 1st steps to determining your startup costs is to determine your type of business. By answering some of the questions above you will get a better understanding of what type of business you have and the type of expenses you will have to have in order to operate your business.

Different types of startup expenses

When starting a small business in Ontario there are various costs to consider.

1st you have the one-time start up fees.

These startup fees can include the cost associated with registering your business, the initial set up of your website, paying into the marketing, purchasing the needed tools and equipment, covering your rent, and anything else that may be required as an initial capital investment.

The 2nd cost is the operational costs.

These are the ongoing costs that you have to cover usually month to month or at the very least once a year.

These types of costs again can include your rent, your marketing budget, any ongoing supplies, inventory changes, hiring costs, wages, and more.

Understanding your startup costs can make or break your small business.

 If early on you understand that certain costs you will require assistance with, it is a good idea to start considering the support of the local provincial and federal government. The various government grants and loans available can assist you with paying off some of the expenses, especially those initial start-up ones.

Remember, when starting a business, everything that you need to run your business smoothly will be an expense.

While certain expenses you can avoid many will be required to simplify you are starting a process.

Keeping your costs slow is key to success when starting a business in Ontario. However at the same time investing in your business can help it succeed, so don’t shy away from expenses.

Starting an Ontario business for under $5,000

Is it possible?

The costs of every start of business vary on is this very are many factors. You can start a business for under $5,000 however this depends on what your business actually is and the types of small business start-up costs and expenses that you will have.

If you are running an e-commerce style model, your expenses may be very minimal.

Think about, for a new e-commerce model you need your website,  hosting server, few marketing dollars, perhaps a logo, business registration and you just have to have a perfect idea to follow.

While it is recommended to keep costs slow, one of the most important decisions that you have to make is knowing if you will have enough money to cover the expenses to run the business that you want to run. If you plan on starting up with no money don’t do it.

A successful business will require an investment. That investment, be it from your own funds, borrowed from the bank, private investors, or government agencies, will be required to help you succeed in achieving your goals.

So what is the cost to start a small business in Ontario.

Depending on the type of business you want to start your costs will vary. It is recommended to get into business only when you have a certain amount of money that can cover various costs. At least for the very crucial costs. For the rest, try government funding as a way of paying off your expenses at least within the initial year.

To know more about the various costs associated with starting a small business speak to one Ontario Startups expert.

Your Government Funding Questions
Funding

Your government funding questions answered

The Ontario government provides funding to small business owners and entrepreneurs across the province. In addition to that, The Canadian federal government and the various local governments provide funding as well.

As a small business owner trying to find these funds, it might get a bit confusing or time-consuming.

The funding available is scattered across over 1,500 different programs. These programs come from the various levels of the government, each with its own website, requirements, and a unique process to apply.

Getting expert help to find the available government-finding programs is definitely recommended.

Using tools such as the Funding Database provided by Ontario Startups will ensure that you have all of the options in one place. Saving you time, And a lot of frustration.

With all of the confusion around government funding programs in Ontario, below is a list of questions that commonly come in, so we thought we’d share.

Does government funding really exist in Ontario?

Government funding is real.

Each province has its own funding program. These programs are set in place to help boost the economy.

The government hands out the money in order to help you succeed with your business and then in return, they expect you to hire staff and to pay tax.

This creates a cycle. A cycle that is ongoing and helps support entrepreneurship across the province each year.

Funding comes in various forms including government, government loans, and tax breaks.

How much funding can my small business in Ontario get?

As a small business in Ontario applying to any government funding program you should go in with a few prerequisites. The most important one is to know how much funding you actually need.

While there is no maximum or minimum that a funding agency can provide you unless they specify, your funding needs should be based on your business plan and on how much you need to succeed.

While applying for a million dollars would be ideal, it does not mean that this is what you actually need within the 1st year of your business. Consider your start-up cost and evaluate what you need money for urgently. This is what you apply for first.

Funding agencies often have limits that generally sit around $25,0000. However, if asking for funding, it’s a good idea to break down your funding requirements into smaller amounts that are specific, so that way you can apply to multiple funding programs covering a larger range if needed.

How do I know if I will be eligible for any government funding in Ontario?

To find out if your small business in Ontario is eligible for any funding, you have to access the government funding program requirement.

Unless you know which program to apply to, working with an expert will help determine this.  Each government funding program has its own requirements that have to be met in order for you to be eligible.

Certain factors such as your location, your industry, and the specific funding needs that you have will be the ones determining your likeliness to apply successfully.

Why would the government give my business money?

The government supports entrepreneurship. With that in mind, the government gives funding to small business owners that are looking to succeed. In return, you spend the money locally, you hire local staff, you pay your taxes, and this cycle helps boost the economy, and ultimately creates a new round of funding for another business to obtain.

What if there is no program available for my business?

If you are looking for government funding in Ontario and you have no success finding any applicable programs, it doesn’t mean that they’re not there.

The government agencies often don’t promote their funding programs, and this means that they are extremely difficult to find.

But in the case that you are not eligible for any of the options, the good news is that the funding programs constantly change. So if you don’t qualify, tomorrow is another day.

Working with the expert will ensure that you stay on top of the funding search and then you are matched to programs that may help with your funding needs.

What is the maximum that I can get from the Ontario government?

There is no maximum amount that you can get in government funding. At least this is not very clear as each funding agency has its own maximum figures.

To ensure optimal success and then you get as much as you need, break down your funding needs and apply to multiple funding programs that cover each of those needs individually.

After I apply for funding how soon can I get the funds?

Once you have successfully completed a government funding application, and you have submitted it, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks on average to hear back.

The speed depends on a number of factors including the time of the year, program deadlines, number of applicants, and more. All of these factors can impact the speed of your applications and fund approval.

Do I have to pay back the government money?

Depending on the type of government funding you are applying to, it may require repayment.

The money that has to be repaid will come in the form of a government loan or similar.

Tax breaks, credits, and government grants are often the non-repayable funds.

Keep in mind however that if you use the government funding incorrectly, try to fool the system, you may be asked to pay all of the funds back with a penalty.

What do I need to have in order to apply to a government funding program?

In order to apply for government funding successfully, you have to complete the funding application provided by the agency. As each agency has its own criteria, these are the items your small business must meet in order to qualify.

Remember the key to a successful application starts with a completed business plan.

These are just a few of the questions that are our members have in regards the government funding for small businesses in Ontario.

If you have any questions of your own, be sure to ask.

Government Grants for a Small Business in Ontario
Funding

Government Grants for a Small Business in Ontario

When deciding to start a small business in Ontario one of the lacking components of most business owners is the limited amount of funding or capital that they have available.

Funding can often be the reason why a business is successful, or why a business fails.

During the initial months of starting a small business as a business owner, you will have numerous expenses to cover.

These expenses include your regular startup costs, such as; purchasing the needed tools, the equipment, paying staff wages, covering your marketing expenses, purchasing inventory and supplies, your rent, and much more.

Unless you are using your personal funds, or savings for this, in most cases you will have to borrow.

Borrowing money is no easy task.

Sure you can borrow from your family and friends but to get some real money going you’re looking at bank loans, lines of credit, utilizing your credit cards, working with a business partner, using an investor, or accessing government funding options.

Government funding options are some of the best forms of funding that you can obtain.

While they may not be the easiest options to find, once you do, the chances that you’re able to fund each of your expenses are far greater than those of other options.

The various government funding options available include government grants, government loans, tax breaks, or credits.

The best type of program available would be a government grant. Government grants are considered non-repayable which means you can use the funds as you wish for the various needs that you initially applied for and these funds don’t have to pay back.

This way, your business has a chance of succeeding, and the government benefits as well.

Small business government grants are available in Ontario, you just have to find them.

Finding the available small business government grants is a challenge.

As the various government grants come from a number of agencies including local agencies, provincial agencies as well as federal government agencies, they can be difficult to locate.

With access to a platform such as the Funding Database here at Ontario Startups you would have access to all available government grant options as well as other forms of funding.

This will definitely help with the search process, to save you some time, frustration, and obviously allow you a focus on your business.

Government grants are considered the best funding options to apply for.

While government grants don’t always cover all aspects of your expenses, they can be used for the most beneficial ones. This is something you have to determine.

The various government agencies will fund small business owners looking to hire staff, provide training, improve their manufacturing, to go green, and much more.

How does the government make money on government grants

The government provides government grants as a way to boost the economy, create jobs and allow small businesses to succeed.

The government makes money on taxes.

The more success that you see, the more likely the government is to collect more taxes.

A win-win situation for both parties.

What small business grants are available in Ontario?

Government grant programs along with other forms of funding constantly change. Sometimes by the day.

Accessing the Funding Database here at Ontario Startups will allow you access to all options that are available. This way you can access all grants, all loans, and all tax programs with the click of a button.

The government grant programs that are easiest to access are the ones related to hiring, training, going green, and things that benefit more than just your business but the economy or the community as a whole.

What do I need to apply for a Government Grant?

To apply for a government grant in Ontario your small business will need to be registered. You will be required to have a formal business plan and 3 year financial projections. This is all that Ontario Startups can help you with and guide you step-by-step as you work with an expert.

What are the types of government grants?

The term government grants often simply means, free money.

While it is free money, there is a number of different types of government grants as well.

These different types of government grants include:

  • Non repayable government grants
  • Partial contributions
  • One time and renewable

As a small business, when applying for a government grant in Ontario, your goal should be to obtain one of the non repayable government grants.

However in most cases, you don’t really have a choice but you have to rely on what is available at the time of your search, your application, your industry, and your business location.

This may mean that you have to pick and go with what is available rather than what’s best for you.

A non repayable government grant is the best option, however not the only option to consider.

The non repayable government grants are exactly what they’re called, non repayable.

This means that once you apply for a non repayable government grant to cover a specific funding requirement and you are approved, the money that you are provided with does not have to be paid back.

On the other hand, you have partial contribution government grants. Another very common government grant program type.

While this is still money that you don’t have to pay back, in order to get the program or get approved, you have to have money of your own to invest.

An example of how the program works:

If you are looking for a grant of $50000, the partial contribution can approve a certain amount, as long as you have the other amount to put in yourself. As an example, the government can give you $35,000 dollars as long as you can put in the other $15, 000. Now the risk is shared.

The 3rd type of government grant is the one time or also call the renewable grant. This is a very specific program type that allows you to get funded once and keep going back for more if needed.

This type of government funding program is often used for hiring, training, renovations, and other activities that happen more than once in the lifespan of a business.

The money you take on is also considered non repayable in most cases.

If possible and if you qualify to take on a government grant, no matter the type will always be beneficial to your business. It is money that you don’t have to pay back and money that you can use to build your business up.

If you are not eligible for any government grant programs in Ontario for whatever reason, don’t give up.

Government grants are constantly announced, The programs are regularly changing and in order for you to not miss any options, it’s a good idea the keep regular searches going.

The OntarioStartups Funding Database can assist with this and keep you on track with all available government finding options including those government grants.

Funding

5 tips for starting a small business in Ontario

Starting your own small business in Ontario is no easy task. But it is very doable and can be very rewarding if done right.

When starting your small business you probably will do quite a bit of research. There’s a lot of information on the web to guide you in the right direction of starting your own business.

Some things that you read might be helpful, some might be confusing, and some might be useless.

But what advice and what guidance do you follow.

As Ontario is one of the most popular provinces in Canada, it does give small business owners lots of potentials to succeed. It is a rich province both financially speaking and in resources. The main resource is its population. So knowing how to take advantage is the key to your success.

Here are the 5 tips for starting your own small business in Ontario.

Tip #1 Pre plan your business.

If you already decided that you wanna start a business, your first step should be to pre-plan your small.

Make sure you actually do this and start by creating a business plan.

The best advice anybody can give you when starting your own small business is to first start with the proper business plan.

Your business plan, if done right will outline your business model and explain how the business will operate before you even get a chance to launch.

A business plan is actually a blueprint to your success. Once your plan is completed correctly it will outline all the necessary details that you will need to grow and to succeed. It will be a road map to follow each step on the way.

While business plans can be quite expensive to get professionally completed, you have a number of ways around it.

You can create your own business plan from scratch, or use tools and templates that are available to get this done.

You can also use the business plan builder tool available through Ontario Startups as part of our platform which will also allow you to get your business plan completed and reviewed by a professional expert to ensure that your plan is up to par with what is expected.

Tip #2 Figure out how much you have to start with

Starting a business with no money is never a good idea. While it can be done it does make your start a process a lot more difficult.

Think about it, everything costs money.

Your website, Your business cards, Is your inventory, supplies, marketing…. Everything comes with a cost

So, while you can go through the business with spending very minimal amounts of money, Everything that you don’t spend money on that would be required, will delay the process.

Figuring out how much you have available will help you achieve your success a lot faster.

The amount of capital that you’re starting with will determine what you can and can’t spend on, what tools and resources you might be able to use to speed up the process, and how far you can go with your own expenses.

If you don’t have any funds of your own, borrowing from family, friends, business partners, or even using your credit cards or personal loans can sometimes help kickstart the business.

If you borrow money, be sure to borrow smart.

Tip #3 Determine your start up costs

If you have completed your business plan from step one, the startup cost process will be easy to determine.

Your startup costs determine the outcome of your business initially.

Do you have the capital that you need to successfully lunch, or do you need to cut back?

Remember that you have 2 types of expenses. The expenses that “would be nice to have” and the ones that you consider as “must-haves”.

Your top priority will be the crucial expenses that you can’t move forward without.

These expenses are initially your startup costs. It is often the one-time costs to help you set up, purchase the needed tools and equipment, get your website created, invest in the initial inventory if needed, cover your initial rent, and so on.

From there you have your ongoing expenses. The expenses may be monthly or at the very least annually covered, which are a must in order to operate successfully.

Things like paying your rent, your phone bill, internet, utilities, your wages, staffs wages, and so on.

Determining your startup costs and operating expenses will help you in the long run.

Tip #4 Find government funding

If you have taken some time to determine your startup costs and have completed this step, tip #4 will be the next step in the process.

The Ontario government along with various local governments and the federal government have numerous government funding programs to help small business owners across Ontario.

What this means for you is that you might be eligible for funding to cover some of your small business expenses.

The funding comes in the form of government grants, government loans, tax breaks, and credits. They are all ultimately created to help you succeed.

To find available government funding programs for your Ontario small business consider working with an expert at Ontario Startups, and utilizing the funding database which currently contains over 1500 different government funding programs.

Tip #5 working with an expert

While not everybody can afford to work with a business expert or mentor, if you can manage it, it’s very much recommended.

Experts and mentors who have gone through the startup process in Ontario are much more likely to have the needed guidance is supported to provide you so you can succeed with avoiding the common pitfalls.

As the web is full of guidance and support, knowing what to listen to and what guidance to follow is a bit tricky. So following a local expert or somebody who understands business in Ontario and across Canada. This will be your best bet for success.

Experts at Ontario Startups have years of experience, in starting, funding, and launching small businesses across Ontario.

As part of the small business start up platform that Ontario Startups provides its members, expert guidance, and the step-by-step handholding is provided to all members.

Registered today to benefit from the step-by-step guidance.

The above are the 5 tips that help you start your small business and Ontario. Remember that your business plan is the key. Once you have your business plan, it will determine your costs, will help you find 3rd party funding such as that from the government of Ontario, and will help you get on track with a successful launch of your business.

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