As a small business owner in Canada, acquiring government funding may mean the difference between the success and failure of your business.
Being able to provide the funding agency with everything they are looking for—right away—is one of the best ways to improve your chances of approval.
In many cases, government funding agencies want to see the following:
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- The completed application
- A copy of the formal business plan
- Financials for up to 3 years (or projected financials)
- A PitchDeck presentation
While these documents do not need to be in a specific format, supplying exactly what the agency requires—and doing so professionally—can significantly impact your success.
The truth is, applying for government funding is competitive. You will not be the only applicant, and each agency accepts only a limited number of businesses. Submitting polished, complete materials can help you stand out.
One commonly overlooked part of the application is the PitchDeck presentation.
Although traditionally used for private investors, more government funding agencies now request PitchDecks to quickly understand your business model, the potential of your company, and your funding needs.
The PitchDeck acts as an icebreaker that can either push you forward or stop you in your tracks.
Government agencies are extremely busy and do not have the manpower to thoroughly review hundreds or thousands of business plans (ranging from 10 to over 100 pages) just to determine whether an applicant should be considered.
Remember: a government funding agency is technically an investor in your business—they must choose applicants that can provide a return on their investment, one way or another.
This is where PitchDecks come in.
A PitchDeck is a brief 10–15 slide presentation that visually summarizes your business model and complements your written business plan.
Think: Shark Tank meets PowerPoint.
Creating a PitchDeck
When creating your PitchDeck, assume the reader will spend no more than one minute per slide—often less. This means clarity and simplicity matter.
Summaries work best. Bullet points and visual elements (infographics, flowcharts, icons, etc.) are easier to absorb than large blocks of text.
Take the time to create your PitchDeck properly. Don’t throw something together just because a funding agency “wants to see it.” A well-designed, easy-to-read PitchDeck is often the first document they look at when deciding whether to read your full business plan.
Your 10–15 slides should clearly explain:
- Your business model
- The problem you are solving
- Your solution to the problem
- How you generate revenue
- Your products or services
- Your team
- Your market (customers, competitors, demand)
- Your growth potential
- Your funding needs
- Your request for funding (plus contact details and a thank-you message)
With these slides, you can effectively summarize your business and show the agency exactly what you need.
It is important to remember: a PitchDeck does not replace the business plan—it complements it. The PitchDeck highlights your strongest points, then naturally leads the reviewer to read the full plan for details.
Your goal as an applicant is to use the PitchDeck to show you are prepared—and then use the business plan to prove it.
PitchDeck Costs
A properly developed PitchDeck typically costs between $500 and $1,500.
A professional, investor-ready PitchDeck should be visually appealing, clearly structured, and not overly text-heavy.
If you need an affordable way to create a visually appealing PitchDeck for government funding applications, the creative team at Canada Startups can help. Contact an expert here.
A PitchDeck is the new standard for many government funding applications. Pairing a strong PitchDeck with a professional business pl