DISCLAIMER on July 12, 2021: The Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) is no longer in operation and as their website now directs to the general Ontario government’s Business and Economy page. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) – businesses with fewer than 500 employees – represent the overwhelming majority of economic activity in Canada. These businesses…
Disclaimer: This article does not endorse a specific political party or Prime Minister nominee. The Canadian Federal Election is scheduled for Fall 2019. Incumbent Prime Minister Trudeau will be going up against the Conservative Party’s Andrew Sheer, New Democrat Jagmeet Singh, and the Green Party’s Elizabeth May representing the main candidates. The election will be…
The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program offers government contracts from the Department of National Defence and Canadian Air Force to develop, test, and deploy military technologies. During targeted calls for projects, specific types of technologies and applicants are sought to identify or establish a solution. Opportunities are released throughout the year; this…
Few automotive trends require foresight into technology development, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements like connected and autonomous vehicles. For C/AV technologies to reach mass market adoption, all three of these elements must align, with consumers and government regulators being confident in the technologies used. Without tested and proven high-quality systems, governments won’t let C/AVs on…
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) is a federal government agency that fosters innovation by encouraging companies to collaborate in post-secondary research projects. After recently changing the way NSERC administers funding, businesses can now choose between two new/updated funding programs, including NSERC Engage Grants and NSERC Alliance Grants. NSERC Engage supports research projects…
The Government of Ontario recently announced a suite of changes to Employment Ontario programming and services. The government is launching a new system that will improve Ontario employment services by focusing on the needs of local communities, workers, and employers. Employment Ontario provides a range of programs, services, and funding opportunities to help Ontarian workers…
On August 22, 2019, the CanExport funding program undertook two significant updates that impacted how the program operated and the value it provided to Canadian exporters. The first and most notable update was to the program’s contribution amount, while the second focused on company eligibility. Previously, agriculture and agri-food companies were unable to apply; these…
Everyone knows that the wrong hire can be very costly to a business. Not only will a business incur real expenses with a bad hire (estimates show the cost of one bad hire to be in the range of $250,000USD, i.e. their salary, your team’s/trainer’s salaries, and opportunity costs of lost productivity), but you also…
There are hundreds of Canadian small business grants and loans that companies can apply to. There are some key strategies to keep in mind to optimize your chances of success though; for one, always consider the program’s eligibility criteria. It’s not worth applying to small business grants and loans that are not a fit for…
The automotive industry is preparing for a future where consumers can purchase a wide range of powertrain types. Although internal combustion engines (ICEs) will continue to represent a large portion of the market, battery electric and hybrid options will grow in popularity and become a much more widespread option. OEMs are preparing for this reality…