Small business owners in Canada can apply for a chance to win $10,000 to support their small businesses via the Backing Canadian Small Businesses Program from American Express Canada.

Funded by American Express Canada and administered by DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Backing Canadian Small Businesses program aims to support 100 Canadian small businesses with community significance owned by individuals experiencing economic hardship.

Each selected business will receive mentoring support consisting of workshops, small group sessions, and one-on-one meetings with experienced DMZ program mentors. On a part-time basis, small business owners will receive coaching and knowledge in areas relevant to their business, including sales, marketing, operations, and leadership.

Available Funding and Prizes

• $10,000 each to 100 Small Businesses in Canada
• Mentoring support consisting of workshops, small group sessions, and one-on-one meetings with experienced DMZ program mentors for 12 weeks

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria.

• The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or hold current and valid authorization in Canada.
• The business must be independent and not part of a franchise.
• The applicant must be at least 18 years or older.
• The business must have an annual revenue of less than $1.5 million CAD in 2024.
• The business must operate either out of a physical location or online.

You can view the complete list of eligibility criteria here.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit the DMZ site to apply.

DEADLINE

Applications for the grant are due on June 9th.

As always, we will keep you informed about relevant grant programs and contests for small businesses and organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

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