Canadian Business Grants and Loans for Digital Marketing in 2026

Section 1: Grants for Canadian Businesses

1. CanExport SMEs – International Market Expansion Grant Grant

Official Program Page: CanExport SMEs

Who Qualifies for CanExport SMEs

CanExport SMEs targets incorporated Canadian small and medium-sized businesses with 3 to 500 full-time employees and annual revenues between $300,000 and $100 million. The business must have strong economic ties to Canada and a concrete plan to export goods or services to international markets. Limited liability partnerships and cooperatives also qualify. Sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, franchisees, and businesses in sectors such as unabated fossil fuels or recreational cannabis do not qualify.

How Businesses Apply CanExport Funds to Digital Marketing

CanExport SMEs funds international business development activities – which directly includes digital marketing work aimed at entering or expanding into foreign markets. Eligible activities include search engine marketing (SEM) campaigns targeting international audiences, social media advertising in new markets, website localization (translation, cultural adaptation, and market-specific SEO), and professional fees paid to a digital marketing agency for market entry strategy and execution. The program also covers expert advisory fees for legal or tax matters tied to the new international market.

Businesses must target markets where they have less than $100,000 in annual sales or less than 10% of total export revenue. The program does not fund purely domestic marketing activities or U.S. expansion (subject to current-year rules).

CanExport SMEs Funding Details

The program funds up to 50% of eligible project costs. Project budgets typically range from $20,000 to $100,000, making the maximum available grant $50,000 per project. Annual stacking limits apply – total government funding across all sources cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs. Funding is reimbursement-based: businesses pay the agency and other service providers first, then submit claims for repayment. Applications open during specific windows and evaluation is competitive.

2. AgriMarketing Program – Market Diversification for SMEs Grant

Official Program Page: AgriMarketing Program – Market Diversification for SMEs

Who Qualifies for the AgriMarketing SME Program

This program targets for-profit small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-products sectors — including fish and seafood. All sectors are eligible, but projects from sectors directly impacted by tariffs or trade disruptions in the past 12 months, and those targeting new non-traditional markets, are assessed as a priority. Projects must have a minimum total cost of $20,000 (minimum AAFC contribution of $14,000), and applicants must be able to contribute at least 30% of project costs in cash. In-kind contributions do not count toward the required cost-share.

How Businesses Apply AgriMarketing Funds to Digital Marketing

The program funds marketing activities specifically designed to open new export markets and diversify interprovincial trade — which directly includes developing digital marketing strategies, building market-entry campaigns, and engaging agency services to reach buyers in high-growth or non-traditional markets such as Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Projects that develop digital marketing strategies across the agricultural supply chain, create market-specific content and advertising, or produce digital assets that support trade show or export sales efforts all align with the program’s stated priority areas. Eligible costs must be cash expenditures — agency fees and paid media spend paid by invoice qualify, while in-kind contributions do not.

AgriMarketing SME Funding Details

AAFC contributes a maximum of 70% of eligible project costs, normally up to $100,000 per project. Applicants must contribute a minimum of 30% in cash. Projects run for up to 18 months from the contribution agreement effective date. The program runs until March 31, 2031, with the intake period open until September 30, 2030 — or sooner if funding is fully committed. Sectors facing active trade disruptions are prioritized in assessment.

3. Launch Online Grant – British Columbia Grant BC Only

Official Program Page: Launch Online Grant BC

Who Qualifies for the Launch Online Grant

The Launch Online Grant targets small and medium-sized businesses in British Columbia, including sole proprietors and non-profit organizations. Eligible businesses must be owned by B.C. residents with their primary operations in the province. Applicants must be ready to complete approved projects within 12 weeks. The program prioritizes Black-owned, Indigenous-owned, and people of colour-owned businesses, as well as businesses located outside major urban centres. Applicants cannot submit multiple requests.

How Businesses Apply Launch Online Grant Funds to Digital Marketing

Launch Online Grant funds directly support digital marketing activities, including creating or improving online stores and booking systems, running digital customer acquisition campaigns such as Facebook or Google Ads, and training staff in digital marketing practices. Businesses can hire B.C.-based digital marketing agencies to execute website development, SEO, and paid advertising campaigns under this grant. This makes it one of the most direct grant programs for funding agency work in the province.

Launch Online Grant Funding Details

The grant covers up to 75% of eligible project expenses, with a maximum award of $7,500. Businesses must fund the remaining 25% themselves. No repayment is required – this is a non-repayable grant. The original program ran in 2021, so businesses should verify current availability with the BC government or check for successor programs.

4. Digital Marketing Grant for Small Businesses – British Columbia Grant BC Only

Official Program Page: BC Digital Marketing Grant for Small Businesses

Who Qualifies for the BC Digital Marketing Grant

This grant targets small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in British Columbia who have operated for at least one year. It prioritizes organizations across various industries that can demonstrate a clear benefit from improved digital marketing. Brand-new businesses operating for less than 12 months generally do not qualify.

How Businesses Apply BC Digital Marketing Grant Funds

The program specifically funds digital marketing activities, including website upgrades, social media campaigns, search engine optimization, and other strategies designed to increase online visibility. Businesses can use these funds to hire a digital marketing agency for these services, making it one of the most straightforward grant programs for directly funding professional digital marketing work in British Columbia.

BC Digital Marketing Grant Funding Details

Grant amounts range from $500 to $3,000 depending on project scope. No repayment is required – this is non-repayable funding.

5. Innovate BC Go-To-Market Microgrant Grant BC Only

Official Program Page: Innovate BC Go-To-Market Microgrant

Who Qualifies for the Innovate BC Go-To-Market Microgrant

This program targets for-profit companies headquartered and incorporated in British Columbia that are in good standing with their provincial registration. The business must have a product or service already in market or ready to sell – meaning the company has moved past the research and development phase. The program is not for pre-product companies, non-profits, businesses headquartered outside B.C., or companies that have already secured Series A or later-stage venture capital funding.

How Businesses Apply Innovate BC Funds to Digital Marketing

This microgrant explicitly lists paid advertising and digital marketing campaigns as eligible expenses. Businesses can use it to fund digital marketing tools, asset localization for new markets, and third-party consulting services from a digital marketing agency brought on specifically to execute the go-to-market project. The grant also covers net-new marketing staff costs or fractional marketing consultants engaged for the approved project scope. Adjudication focuses on the clarity of the market opportunity and the projected sales impact, so applicants benefit from having a detailed, realistic project scope from their agency before applying.

Innovate BC Go-To-Market Microgrant Funding Details

The grant covers up to 75% of total eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $50,000. Businesses must contribute 25% in cash. Funding is reimbursement-based, and all project activities must be completed by the program’s fiscal year deadline – typically by March of the following year.

6. Zensurance Small Business Grant Grant Private / Annual Competition

Official Program Page: Zensurance Small Business Grant

Who Qualifies for the Zensurance Small Business Grant

The Zensurance Small Business Grant is open to any Canadian small business owner, freelancer, or sole proprietor with an operational company registered in Canada whose annual revenue does not exceed $1 million. Businesses located in Quebec, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut are not eligible. To apply, entrants must complete an application form, follow the Zensurance brand on social media, and obtain a free insurance quote (purchasing insurance is not required for eligibility).

How Businesses Apply Zensurance Grant Funds to Digital Marketing

The top prize of $10,000 is unrestricted cash, meaning businesses can apply it to any legitimate business need including hiring a digital marketing agency for SEO, PPC, website redesign, or content strategy. There are no complex reporting requirements attached to the cash prize, making it one of the most flexible funding sources for small businesses seeking to scale their digital marketing without government grant administration overhead.

The voting phase of the competition also functions as a built-in digital marketing exercise – businesses that mobilize their customer base on social media to vote gain real-world engagement and visibility as part of the process.

Zensurance Grant Funding Details

The top recipient receives a $10,000 non-repayable grant. Additional runners-up win software prizes and service packages. Winners are selected through a combination of internal judging of the applicant’s business story and a public voting phase for the top six finalists. The competition runs annually.

7. Telus Stand with Owners – Business Prize Program Prize / Grant Private / Corporate

Official Program Page: Telus Stand with Owners

Who Qualifies for Telus Stand with Owners

Telus Stand with Owners is open to operational, legally registered Canadian businesses with between 1 and 100 employees that generate revenue. The program seeks to reward innovative businesses that have demonstrated resilience and community commitment. Employees of Telus or its affiliates do not qualify. The application process requires a compelling narrative about the business’s growth story and the role technology has played in scaling the company.

How Businesses Apply Telus Stand with Owners Prizes to Digital Marketing

Each grand prize package includes $75,000 in direct cash funding, $35,000 in Telus and Samsung technology and services, $10,000 in Telus Health support, and $80,000 in custom advertising and business exposure. Businesses can apply the cash portion of the prize toward a digital marketing agency engagement. The $80,000 in advertising exposure creates a high-visibility moment that a digital marketing agency can amplify through coordinated paid media, retargeting, and content campaigns. An additional 15 smaller winners each receive $20,000 in funding and technology.

Telus Stand with Owners Prize Details

Five grand prizes exceed $200,000 in value each. Fifteen secondary prizes deliver $20,000 in funding and technology per winner. No repayment is required – all prizes are non-repayable. This is a competition program, not an open grant.

9. Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Program Closed

Official Page (Archived): Canada Digital Adoption Program

What CDAP Was and How It Funded Digital Marketing

CDAP ran two distinct streams. The first, Grow Your Business Online, provided a non-repayable micro-grant of up to $2,400 to small, consumer-facing Canadian businesses for e-commerce setup, website upgrades, social media advertising, and digital marketing agency fees. Recipients also received access to a network of e-commerce advisors who provided up to 30 hours of support. The program required businesses to have at least one employee for a minimum of three months, or a minimum of $30,000 in annual revenue. Corporate chains, franchises, registered charities, real estate brokerages, and non-consumer-facing businesses were excluded.

The second stream, Boost Your Business Technology, targeted more established SMEs and worked in two phases. First, the government covered up to 90% of the cost of hiring a certified digital advisor (maximum $15,000) to create a Digital Adoption Plan. Once approved, the business became eligible for a 0% interest BDC loan of up to $100,000 to implement the plan’s recommendations – which commonly included agency retainers, marketing software, and website development. Eligible companies needed between 1 and 499 full-time equivalent employees and at least $500,000 in annual revenue in one of the previous three tax years.

Businesses that completed their Digital Adoption Plan and received the BDC loan before the program closed should contact BDC directly to confirm their repayment terms, which were structured over five years with a 12-month interest-free postponement period at the start.

Section 2: Loans for Canadian Businesses

10. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) Loan

Official Program Page: Canada Small Business Financing Program

Who Qualifies for the CSBFP

The CSBFP is available to for-profit small businesses and startups operating in Canada with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less. This includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations across most industries. Farming businesses (which use the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program), charitable organizations, religious groups, and businesses seeking to purchase shares or refinance non-CSBFP eligible debt do not qualify.

How Businesses Apply CSBFP Funds to Digital Marketing

Legislative updates have expanded the CSBFP to include “intangible assets” and “working capital costs” – the two categories most directly relevant to digital marketing. Under the intangible assets provision, businesses can finance website development, software acquisition, and professional fees for services that support complex digital marketing systems. Under the working capital line of credit (up to $150,000), businesses can fund ongoing agency retainers, Google and Meta advertising spend, and inventory management software. The federal government guarantees 85% of the loan to the private lender, which reduces lender risk and makes banks willing to finance “soft costs” like marketing services.

CSBFP Loan Details

Term loans for digital assets carry a maximum term of 15 years. The working capital line of credit carries a maximum term of 5 years. Interest rates are capped at prime plus 3% for term loans and prime plus 5% for lines of credit. A 2% registration fee applies and can be financed as part of the loan. Businesses apply through a participating financial institution – banks and credit unions issue the loans, while the federal government provides the 85% guarantee.

11. ACOA Business Development Program – Atlantic Canada Loan Atlantic Canada Only

Official Program Page: ACOA Business Development Program

Who Qualifies for the ACOA Business Development Program

The ACOA BDP supports entrepreneurs and businesses in Atlantic Canada, as well as some non-profit organizations that support small and medium-sized enterprises. The program is designed to help businesses start, expand, or scale. Eligible applicants must operate primarily in the Atlantic provinces.

How Businesses Apply ACOA BDP Funds to Digital Marketing

The ACOA BDP explicitly lists marketing and trade activities as eligible cost categories. For these specific activities, the program can cover up to 75% of costs – a higher rate than the general business growth category. Digital marketing agency fees, paid media campaigns, website development projects, and content strategy work tied to market development or business expansion all fall within this category. Businesses use the interest-free repayable contribution to fund the full cost of a marketing program and then repay it over time without incurring interest charges.

ACOA BDP Funding Details

For general business growth and expansion, the program funds up to 50% of required capital. For marketing and trade activities specifically, coverage can reach 75% of eligible costs. Funding is interest-free and unsecured, meaning businesses do not pledge collateral. Repayment terms are established as part of the contribution agreement.

12. PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity Program Repayable Contribution Prairie Provinces

Official Program Page: PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity

Who Qualifies for PrairiesCan BSP

This program is for incorporated, high-growth businesses operating in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba that are actively scaling up, commercializing technology, or improving productivity. The program targets companies with ambitious, measurable growth outcomes – including job creation, revenue growth, and export sales. It is not designed for early-stage startups without demonstrated growth trajectories.

How Businesses Apply PrairiesCan BSP Funds to Digital Marketing

PrairiesCan BSP explicitly identifies marketing as an eligible cost within approved project budgets. Professional services (including agency fees), labour, and campaign execution costs tied to a funded project scope all qualify. Businesses must tie digital marketing activities directly to the approved growth project – for example, a campaign designed to accelerate sales of a new product line or to enter a new market. PrairiesCan reimburses based on paid claims, meaning businesses must have sufficient cash flow to fund expenses upfront before receiving reimbursement.

PrairiesCan BSP Funding Details

Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs. Projects must have a minimum value of $400,000 total (since the minimum program contribution is $200,000). The maximum program contribution is $5 million per project. Funding is structured as a repayable, interest-free contribution.

13. BDC Business Loans – Working Capital and Small Business Loan

Official Program Page: BDC Working Capital Loan
Official Program Page: BDC Small Business Loan

Who Qualifies for BDC Business Loans

BDC offers two loan products relevant to digital marketing funding. The Working Capital Loan suits established Canadian businesses that need cash flow to support ongoing operations and growth – businesses must be based in Canada, generate revenue, and have a solid credit track record. The Small Business Loan is for established businesses that have been operating for more than 24 months, generate profits, and have a good credit history; startups under 24 months or unprofitable businesses generally do not qualify for this product.

How Businesses Apply BDC Loan Funds to Digital Marketing

BDC explicitly describes working capital financing as covering operating expenses including sales and marketing, which makes both products directly applicable to digital marketing agency fees. The Working Capital Loan suits businesses that need to fund ongoing monthly retainers – covering SEO management, paid media campaign spend, website maintenance and conversion optimization, and content production – and repay the loan as revenue from those campaigns accumulates. The Small Business Loan is better suited to businesses launching a new growth project, such as a full website rebuild, a paid advertising program for a new product line, or an analytics infrastructure investment, where a defined project scope and one-time capital outlay make more sense than a revolving facility.

BDC Loan Details

The Working Capital Loan offers the possibility of interest-only payments for up to 24 months at the start of the loan term, subject to approval and specific conditions – a structure useful for businesses that want campaign results to materialize before full debt service begins. The Small Business Loan supports amounts up to $350,000 through BDC’s online application, with amortization periods typically ranging from 5 to 8 years and interest-only options for up to 12 months. No prepayment fees apply for smaller loan amounts under either product. Businesses should contact BDC directly or apply online for current interest rates, as both products carry variable floating rates that BDC sets based on borrower profile.

14. Futurpreneur Canada – Startup Financing and Mentorship Loan + Mentorship

Official Program Page: Futurpreneur Canada

Who Qualifies for Futurpreneur Programs

Futurpreneur Canada serves young Canadian entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39 who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. All programs are for early-stage founders – typically those in the pre-launch to early-growth stage – and businesses that have been operating for more than 12 months generally do not qualify. Beyond the core program, Futurpreneur also runs dedicated streams for founders who identify as Indigenous or Black, acknowledging the systemic barriers these entrepreneurs face in accessing traditional capital. These specialized streams offer the same age and residency requirements but include tailored mentorship and, in some cases, a character-based lending approach that places less weight on hard collateral.

How Businesses Apply Futurpreneur Funds to Digital Marketing

All Futurpreneur programs provide startup financing approved against a business plan, which means founders can allocate funds toward any cost included in their approved plan – such as brand launch campaigns, website design and development, SEO foundation setup, paid advertising to acquire initial customers, e-commerce configuration, and lead generation. The two-year mentorship included with each program is particularly valuable for founders learning to manage agency relationships and marketing budgets for the first time, as mentors can provide guidance on evaluating agency proposals and setting realistic campaign expectations.

Futurpreneur Program Funding Details

The core program provides up to $75,000 in total startup financing: up to $25,000 directly from Futurpreneur and up to $50,000 co-invested by BDC. The Indigenous and Black Entrepreneur streams provide up to $60,000 in combined Futurpreneur and BDC co-investment. All programs include up to two years of mentorship from a dedicated business mentor. Loans are repaid over a standard five-year term. All applicants must pass a credit review and submit a fully developed business plan.

15. RBC Business Accelerator Loan Program Loan

Official Program Page: RBC Business Accelerator Loan Program

Who Qualifies for the RBC Business Accelerator Loan

The RBC Business Accelerator Loan is available to Canadian-based businesses that have been operating for at least 12 consecutive months and have annual gross revenues up to $10 million. Businesses must have their primary banking relationship with RBC to be eligible. Businesses that bank with other institutions or have been operating for less than one year do not qualify. A full personal guarantee from the business owner is typically required.

How Businesses Apply RBC Accelerator Funds to Digital Marketing

RBC designed this loan specifically for businesses that have had limited access to traditional financing for operating cash flow needs – and agency retainers, paid media management fees, and high-volume digital advertising spend are exactly those kinds of needs. The 85% BDC guarantee allows RBC to extend financing for “soft costs” like marketing services with more flexible terms than a standard commercial loan. Businesses can use this loan to fund the gap between the upfront cost of an agency-managed campaign and the revenue those campaigns generate over time.

RBC Business Accelerator Loan Details

Loan amounts range from $25,000 to $500,000. The maximum amortization is 6 years, with fixed or variable rate options and monthly principal and interest payments. A one-time 1% BDC application fee and a 2% BDC guarantee fee are included as part of the interest rate – meaning businesses do not face separate out-of-pocket fees to access the program.

16. BMO Small Business Installment Loan Loan

Official Program Page: BMO Small Business Installment Loan

Who Qualifies for the BMO Small Business Installment Loan

BMO’s installment loan is for established Canadian for-profit businesses that require predictable, scheduled repayment to manage debt over time. Eligibility is primarily determined by the business’s credit score and at least two years of verifiable financial history, including tax returns and notices of assessment. Farming businesses, holding corporations, and trusts are not eligible. A fully developed business plan that demonstrates the investment’s potential is required as part of the application.

How Businesses Apply BMO Installment Loan Funds to Digital Marketing

Businesses increasingly use BMO installment loans to fund comprehensive digital transformation projects, including the acquisition of advanced marketing software and the engagement of digital marketing agencies for structural overhauls. The loan’s lump-sum structure makes it well-suited to funding an integrated marketing ecosystem – including CRM implementation, e-commerce platform development, automated email sequences, and an agency-managed paid advertising program – in a single capital deployment. BMO offers a 0.5% reduced rate discount for sustainability projects, which can sometimes apply to modernization initiatives that digitize paper-based processes.

BMO Installment Loan Details

Loan amounts range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Repayment terms typically span 1 to 5 years, with fixed or variable rate options and scheduled monthly principal and interest payments. Unlike a revolving line of credit, installment loans cannot be re-borrowed once repaid – making them better suited for one-time major marketing infrastructure investments than for ongoing ad spend. Applications are generally straightforward and fee-free at submission.

17. Shopify Capital – Merchant Funding Merchant Financing Private Platform

Official Program Page: Shopify Capital

Who Qualifies for Shopify Capital

Shopify Capital is available to eligible Shopify merchants based on factors including store location, sales history, and Shopify platform configuration. Eligibility is assessed algorithmically by Shopify based on the merchant’s store data. Shopify presents offers to qualifying merchants directly in their admin dashboard – merchants cannot proactively apply. Businesses that do not operate a Shopify store or that do not use Shopify Payments may not qualify.

How Businesses Apply Shopify Capital Funds to Digital Marketing

Shopify explicitly notes that merchants can use capital funds to launch marketing campaigns. This makes Shopify Capital directly compatible with paying a digital marketing agency for performance marketing, creative testing, landing page development, email marketing flows, and paid social campaigns. Because repayment is linked to Shopify sales volume rather than a fixed monthly payment, the structure naturally scales with the revenue growth that effective digital marketing produces.

Shopify Capital Funding Details

Funding amounts vary based on the specific offer presented in the merchant’s Shopify admin. Repayment is structured around Shopify’s financing model – typically repaid as a percentage of daily sales through Shopify rather than as fixed monthly payments. The total repayment amount includes a fixed fee rather than traditional interest, and the effective cost varies with the repayment term length. Merchants should review the specific offer terms presented in their admin before accepting.

18. Clearco Invoice Funding Invoice Financing Private Platform

Official Program Page: Clearco Invoice Funding

Who Qualifies for Clearco Invoice Funding

Clearco’s invoice funding targets e-commerce brands that need to pay vendor invoices on time while protecting working capital. The program best suits companies with steady, consistent sales that want non-dilutive growth financing outside the traditional loan structure. Clearco connects to a business’s e-commerce and financial data to assess eligibility algorithmically, similar to Shopify Capital. Businesses without established sales history or e-commerce data may not qualify.

How Businesses Apply Clearco Invoice Funding to Digital Marketing

When a digital marketing agency issues an invoice for services, Clearco can fund that invoice so the business pays on time without drawing down working capital. This allows businesses to keep campaigns running continuously – paying for SEO, paid media, and content production – while cash remains available for inventory, fulfillment, and operations. Clearco’s model is not technically a marketing grant, but it functions as practical working capital that directly sustains ongoing digital marketing delivery.

Clearco Invoice Funding Details

Clearco charges a fixed fee that varies based on the repayment term length rather than a traditional interest rate. Repayment is scheduled rather than revenue-percentage-based. Business owners should review the specific fee structure presented in their Clearco offer, as terms depend on the company’s sales data and financial profile.

8. Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) — Now Open Grant Alberta Only

Official Program Page: Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (alberta.ca/CAPG)

Who Qualifies for the CAPG

The CAPG is open to private sector employers, non-profits, First Nations, and Métis Settlements in Alberta. Employers apply on behalf of their employees — trainees must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons legally entitled to work in Canada. Company owners, family members, and temporary foreign workers are not eligible as trainees. Training must be delivered by a qualified third-party provider and completed within 52 weeks.

How Businesses Apply CAPG Funds to Digital Marketing Training

The CAPG covers training that falls under the Digital and Technological skills category — defined as training that equips employees with skills to use, manage, and integrate digital tools and technologies. This makes the program directly applicable to professional digital marketing training, including SEO, paid advertising platforms, analytics, content strategy, and campaign management. Employers can use the grant to send staff to structured digital marketing training programs delivered by eligible third-party providers, with the government reimbursing 50% of the cost (up to $5,000 per trainee per fiscal year).

CAPG Funding Details

For existing employees, employers contribute 50% of eligible training costs and the government reimburses the other 50%, up to $5,000 per trainee per fiscal year. For newly hired unemployed Albertans, up to 75% of training costs are covered, up to $10,000 per trainee. Eligible costs include course and tuition fees, textbooks, software, exam fees, approved travel, and required materials. Employee wages during training are not eligible. Applications are submitted through the CAPG Portal at alberta.ca before training begins.

19. Repayment and Interest Rate Comparison Table

The table below summarizes repayment structure, typical term length, and interest rate basis for the loan programs in this guide. Grants are excluded as they require no repayment.

Note: All interest rates and terms are subject to change. Businesses must confirm current rates directly with each program administrator or lender before proceeding.

Using Funding to Start or Scale Your Digital Marketing

The programs in this guide cover a wide range of digital marketing activities – from paid advertising and SEO to website design and strategic planning. Whether a business secures a non-repayable grant or a government-backed loan, the key step is confirming with the program administrator which specific services and expenses qualify before committing to any agency contract.

Businesses that have confirmed their eligible expenses and secured funding can then engage a digital marketing agency to execute the approved scope of work. Most reimbursement-based programs – including CanExport SMEs, PrairiesCan BSP, and the Innovate BC Go-To-Market Microgrant – require paid invoices and documented deliverables as part of the claims process, so selecting an agency that provides clear project documentation matters.

Top Draw Inc. is an Edmonton-based digital marketing agency that provides SEO, paid advertising, website design, and digital marketing strategy services to businesses in Western Canada. These service types are among those explicitly listed as eligible expenses in programs such as the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP), the BDC Working Capital Loan, the PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity Program, and the ACOA Business Development Program. Businesses exploring any of these programs can contact Top Draw to discuss project scope and obtain the cost documentation many programs require for reimbursement claims.

Top Draw also publishes a digital marketing insights blog covering SEO, paid advertising, website strategy, and digital marketing planning for Canadian businesses.