Business Grants, Government Loans in Manitoba
Starting, or growing a small business in Manitoba, while exciting, can also be a challenging journey. One of the elements that can have a major impact on the success of your business, is access to funding.
Luckily, the province of Manitoba, offers a number of great business grants, government loans, tax breaks and incentives to help small businesses and to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their business development.
These business grants and funding options can provide a financial boost that is required to turn innovation into a reality, expand operations and overcome the unexpected challenges of business ownership.
Join us as we explore all available Manitoba business grants for 2026.
We will be looking at the regions in Manitoba which will be able to provide you with the funding, the different types of funding available, what the funds can be used for, eligibility criteria as well, your access to over 170+ business grants, government loans..etc
Regions of Manitoba Government Funding Coverage
As a small business in Manitoba, there are various funding options that your business may be able to obtain.
This funding comes from local governments, as well as regional governments.
Northern Manitoba
The Northern Manitoba region includes areas like Thompson, Flin Flon, and Churchill. Special funding programs often target this region due to its unique economic and geographic challenges. This includes business grants, government loans, as well as tax breaks and incentives.
Eastern Manitoba
The Eastern Manitoba region encompasses cities like Selkirk, Steinbach, and other eastern municipalities. Funding may focus on rural development, urban infrastructure, and economic growth.
Central Manitoba
Central Manitoba includes the capital city of Winnipeg and surrounding areas. Given the dense population and economic significance, funding is often directed towards infrastructure, transit, and social services.
Western Manitoba
Western Manitoba focuses on cities like Brandon, Dauphin, and other western communities. Funding initiatives often aim at agriculture, manufacturing, and technological innovation.
Southern Manitoba
In the Southern Manitoba region, smaller communities and rural areas located south of Winnipeg, including regions like Morden and Winkler fit here. Funding here may support agriculture, small business development, and rural infrastructure.
Interlake Region
Covering areas from Gimli to Arborg and the surrounding communities. Funding focuses on addressing remote area challenges and promoting regional development.
Government funding in Manitoba is tailored to address the specific needs and opportunities of each of these regions, aiming to promote balanced growth and equitable resource distribution across the province. You can review all regions of Manitoba within the Funding Database in order to access all options at your fingertips.
Are Manitoba Business Grants and Funding Right For You
If you are considering starting a business, or have an existing business in Manitoba, you should consider government funding.
Remember, government funding does not meant just borrowing money (via Loan), but utilizing provided funding options such as government grants, incentives, tax breaks, credits..etc, towards the various expenses you may have in order to grow your business.
The benefit of being in Manitoba, or the above mentioned regions of Manitoba is that the government puts a lot towards the success of entrepreneurship, covering many audience types, including Startups, Women, Immigrants, Youth, Indigenous, Veterans, Minority Owned Businesses, Non Profits, Specific Regions as well as those in Specific Industries.
In other words, if you are a Canadian (or have PR); or are in business with a Canadian Citizen (or PR holder) and in need of funding support, chances are you are eligible for certain Manitoba business grants and government funding programs.
With that in mind, you must have expenses that you’d like to cover. Have a look at the below, to see what Manitoba small business grants can be used for!
What Can Manitoba Small Business Grants Be Used For?
Manitoba business grants and funding options can be used to cover a number of startup and expansion costs as you run your business. Here are some of the more commonly used user cases as how to benefit from the available funding:
☑️ To cover the initial startup and/or expansion costs
☑️ To assist you with purchase of tools, equipment and inventory to lower your initial costs
☑️ To help you adopt technology use in your business and get your business online
☑️ To provide you costs for marketing and advertising campaigns, or hire marketing related assistance
☑️ To give you working capital for the every day, day to day expenses
☑️ To cover the cost of wages for yourself, your staff and provide training
**☑ **and much more
These are just a few of the expenses that Manitoba business grants and funding can be used towards. For a full list, access the Funding Database and take advantage of over 1,500 different options, covering hundreds of possible expenses your business may have.
What are the types of government funding options in Manitoba?
The province of Manitoba, including the mentioned local and regional government offices provide a large number of options for small business owners to take advantage of. These options vary from business to business, however the majority will come in the form of business grants, business loans and tax breaks/credits.
While these funds are all government funds, some can be government backed as well (via banks and lenders).
Manitoba Business Grants
Business grants, considered free money is often the best form of funding that a business owner can obtain as it can give a business several key benefits, including:
Government grants in Manitoba offer several benefits for businesses, including:
- Non-Repayable Funding: These are grants that do not need to be repaid, unlike loans, which helps businesses manage cash flow and reduce financial burden.
- Financial Support: These business grants provide crucial financial support, allowing businesses to invest in growth, innovation, and development without impacting their capital reserves.
- Risk Mitigation: Accessing these business grants reduces the financial risk associated with new projects, research and development, or expansion plans.
- Competitive Advantage: Government grants can enhance a business’s competitive edge by enabling investments in new technology, skilled labor, and market expansion.
- Encourages Innovation: Grants often target innovative projects, helping businesses develop new products, services, or processes that can lead to significant market advantages.
- Improves Credibility: Receiving a government grant can enhance a business’s credibility with investors, customers, and partners, as it demonstrates government support and validation of the business’s potential.
- Access to Expertise: Many grant programs offer additional resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to industry experts, which can be invaluable for business growth and development.
- Job Creation: These business grants aimed at job creation help businesses hire more staff, contributing to local economic development and increasing the company’s operational capacity.
Manitoba Government Loans
Much like traditional bank loans, Manitoba government loans are not different in a standard sense that you are still borrowing money, however, government loans have number of key benefits to a business owner utilizing them, including:
- Lower Interest Rates: Government loans often come with lower interest rates compared to traditional bank loans, making them more affordable and reducing the overall cost of borrowing.
- Flexible Repayment Terms: These loans typically offer more flexible repayment terms, allowing businesses to choose repayment schedules that align with their cash flow and financial situation.
- Access to Larger Amounts: Government loans may provide access to larger amounts of capital than other funding sources, enabling businesses to undertake significant projects or expansions.
- Support for Specific Sectors: Many government loan programs are tailored to support specific industries or sectors, providing targeted financial assistance to businesses in those areas.
- Encourages Investment in Innovation: Government loans often support innovation and development projects, helping businesses invest in new technologies, research, and development efforts that can drive growth and competitiveness.
- Boosts Business Credit: Successfully securing and repaying a government loan can help build and improve a business’s credit history, making it easier to obtain additional financing in the future.
- Job Creation and Economic Growth: Government loans can facilitate job creation and contribute to local economic development, benefiting both the business and the wider community.
- Supplementary Support: In addition to financial assistance, government loan programs may offer supplementary support such as business advisory services, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Less Stringent Requirements: Government loans may have less stringent eligibility and collateral requirements compared to private sector loans, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to qualify
Manitoba Tax Breaks / Tax Credits For Small Businesses
One of the easier funding types offered by the government of Manitoba and the federal government is the available tax breaks and credits. These tax breaks and credits directly reduce the amount of taxes a business owes, resulting in significant cost savings that can be reinvested into the business.
By lowering tax liabilities, businesses retain more of their earnings, improving cash flow and financial stability. This also can encourage businesses to invest in new equipment, research and development, employee training, and other growth initiatives that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive.
No matter of the type of funding, be it a government business grant, a government loan, or a tax break/credit, as a startup or growing business, you should regularly check available government funding options in Manitoba and take advantage of them.
How Much Grant Money Or Funding Can I Get For My Manitoba Business
Our Funding Database currently has over 1,500 different funding options available.
A typical business owner in Manitoba, starting up, or expanding their business, will be eligible to 4-5 different options. Multiple more options, if regular funding searches are conducted (this is done by our experts for you).
Funding amounts and how much you can get in grant funding varies from business to business, as it is based on your specific funding needs, in accordance to the expenses that you wish to cover.
Currently, for 2026, business grants and funding ranges from $1,000 to $500,000 (larger options are available when combined)
Am I Eligible for Manitoba Small Business Grants?
Based on the current availability of government grants for small businesses in Manitoba, there are key factors that can determine eligibility. Not all factors apply to every program, but worth noting to help maximize your access to grants and funding.
☑️Business Location (often your city or region)
☑️Business Type (ie: your industry)
☑️Business Stage, or Business Size (new business, existing business, # of employees and revenue)
☑️Funding Needs (what the funds will be used for)
☑️Economic Impact (what your business can do for the economy; ie: create jobs)
It is important to note: Most cities and regions within Manitoba, offer some sort of government business grants and funding options to startups and existing business owners. While not every single business can get funds for every single type of expense, working with a funding expert can unlock potential to these options for you.
As mentioned, using our Funding Database, a typical business in Manitoba is eligible to 4-5 funding options!
2026 Manitoba Small Business Grants and Funding List - 170+ Options
Government funding options are constantly changing.
New city and regional options are constantly closing; and new incentives are coming in. Staying on top of these funding options is crucial to ensure you don’t miss any business grants and funding options for
Below is a list of over 170+ business grants, government loans and funding options that can help your small business in Manitoba.
If you wish to consider any of the options, speaking with a qualified expert is recommended - call 1-800-288-9691.
Access 170+ Business Grants and Government Loans in Manitoba
| Program | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Home Energy Efficiency Loan | $7,500 | Home Energy Efficiency Loan (HEEL) is a convenient and affordable financing option for energy-efficiency upgrades. Monthly payments are added to your energy bill and no down payment is required. |
| Commercial Refrigeration Program | Various Amounts | For restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores that use significant energy for refrigeration. |
| Sector Support Program | $12,000 | Assistance to businesses affected by the COVID-19 public health order restrictions released on December 17, 2021. |
| Travel/Professional Development Grant | $1,000 | Provides artists and arts administrators support to develop their careers through eligible activities. |
| Small Business Loans in Manitoba | $150,000 | Loans for Manitoba-based businesses. |
| Farmland School Tax Rebate | Various Amounts | Tax rebate opportunity for farmers based in Manitoba. |
| Child Care Centre Development Tax Credit Program | $10,000 | Tax credit for Manitoba corporations investing in new early learning and child care spaces for employees and community. |
| Book Publishing Tax Credit | $100,000 | Tax credit to assist Manitoba book publishers with labour costs. |
| New Media Manitoba | Various Amounts | Provides support to address skills gaps and improve economic development within Manitoba’s new media industry. |
| Feature Film Development Fund | $35,000 | Supports development of motion-picture concepts into screenplays for theatrical release. |
| Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit | $30,000 | Tax credit to assist Manitoba printers with costs of printing, assembling, or binding eligible books. |
| Music and Viral Video Fund | $5,000 | Provides up to 50% of project costs for producing original music or viral videos by Manitoba artists. |
| Music Programs – Perform | $15,000 | Financial assistance for Manitoba artists touring to reach new markets. |
| Emerging Talent & Micro-Budget Production Grant | $10,000 | Supports producers and entry-level filmmakers for micro-budget productions. |
| Music Recording Production Fund: Level 1 (Demo, EP, Single) | $2,000 | Supports Manitoba music producers with costs for recording demos, EPs, and commercial singles. |
| Film & Video Production Tax Credit – Cost of Salaries | Various Amounts | Incentives for salaries paid to Manitoba employees working on film and video productions. |
| Feature Film Marketing Fund | $75,000 | Covers up to 50% of eligible costs to support film release at recognized festivals/events. |
| Manitoba Film & Video Production Tax Credit | Various Amounts | Incentives for expenses incurred in Manitoba during film and video productions. |
| Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (MIDMTC) | $100,000 | Corporate income tax credit for businesses developing interactive digital media projects in Manitoba. |
| Music Recording Production Fund: Level 3 (Full-Length) | $20,000 | Supports Manitoba producers with costs of full-length recordings intended for commercial release. |
| Pitch Readiness Program – Multi-Episode Productions | $10,000 | Helps producers prepare strong pitch presentations before obtaining funding. |
| Music Recording Fund – Out-of-Province Artists | $10,000 | Loan financing to encourage Manitoba recording activity featuring non-Manitoban artists. |
| Music Programs – Produce | $10,000 | Supports the production of culturally relevant and commercially viable music recordings (three program levels). |
| Record Product Marketing Fund | $10,000 | Assists producers and distributors with marketing and promotion of completed recording projects. |
| Television & Web-Based Development Fund | $40,000 | Producers can apply for support under the television stream or web-based stream. |
| Industrial Technology Centre | Various Amounts | Supports economic development and technological innovation in Manitoba and Western Canada. |
| Manitoba Technology Accelerator | Various Amounts | Provides mentoring, coaching, infrastructure, financial, and investment support through its incubator team. |
| Cooperative Loans and Loan Guarantee Board | Various Amounts | Provides loan guarantees to viable co-ops unable to secure financing on reasonable terms. |
| Journeyperson Business Start Program | $2,500 | Grant funding for journeypersons in rural Manitoba starting a trade-related business. |
| Manitoba Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit | Various Amounts | Tax credit to assist manufacturers with costs of purchasing new equipment. |
| Highland West Capital | Various Amounts | Offers strategic, operational, and financial support to partnering management teams. |
| Resource and Energy Investment Program | $2,000,000 | Provides $500,000–$2,000,000 in debt or equity financing for large-scale First Nation businesses in the resource or energy sectors. |