6.9: Support for Entrepreneurs

Government Support

The Government of Canada provides support for entrepreneurs and provides specific initiatives to aid entrepreneurs from various demographic and geographical groups. For example, the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) helps Indigenous communities participate in complex economic opportunities. An additional $300 million is available until 2027 for clean energy projects in Indigenous, rural and remote communities across Canada.^[1] The Aboriginal entrepreneurship program (AEP) provides access to capital and business opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada.^[2]

The Government  of Canada website provides a search tool for entrepreneurs seeking financial or other types of support to start or expand their businesses. An entrepreneur can use the business benefits finder to search for support in several categories, including Canadians, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, Other Racialized Persons, Women, Language Minorities, 2SLGBTQI+, Newcomers to Canada, Persons with Disabilities, Youth (<40), and Rural or Northern Residents. Give it a try by visiting the Business Benefits Finder and discover if there is any government support for you as an entrepreneur.

The Government of Canada and many chambers of commerce have mentoring programs designed to facilitate contact between business leaders and budding entrepreneurs. Local economic development centres and some business leaders’ associations offer similar programs. The Government of Canada’s Starting a Business website also provides information on registering a business, getting business support and financing, choosing a business name,  applying for business permits and licenses, and tax help. The Canadian government’s Business Grants and Financing website provides information on Government financing programs, loans and capital investments, wage subsidies, grants, tax credits, and managing your business finances. Some grant and loan programs in Canada include the Business Start Program (BSP) in Manitoba, the Youth Entrepreneurship Partnership Program in Ontario,  Jeunes Promoteurs in Quebec, and the Canada Small Business Financing Program.

Some government programs specifically offer support to young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who are part of specific minority groups. For example, Futurpreneur Canada provides information on startup financing, mentorship, and resources for Canadians aged 18–39. The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) aims to support Black entrepreneurs across Canada.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers many tools and resources, as well as advice, to entrepreneurs and business owners. The bank supports small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice.^[3]

Crowd Funding

Crowdfunding is a kind of crowdsourcing and alternative financing by which people, via the Internet, can contribute money to a person, cause, event, or business venture. This method has been used to fund startup businesses, help communities suffering from a natural disaster, and aid families and individuals in financial need due to a medical emergency or a death. Crowdfunding is now a common method for connecting entrepreneurs and investors, offering an alternative to bank loans or venture capitalists, and it is now a popular way of supporting cultural institutions, such as art organizations and charities. Billions of dollars are raised annually via this fundraising method. “A high-profile example of crowdfunding is Oculus VR, now part of Meta (the parent company of Facebook). It produces virtual reality headsets and other hardware and software. The firm’s founder, Palmer Luckey, used Kickstarter to raise $2.4 million (U.S.) in 2012, vastly exceeding its crowdfunding goal of $250,000. Facebook purchased the company for $2 billion in cash and stock in 2014.”^[4]

Incubators and Accelerators

A business incubator is a specialized program that supports new businesses by offering low-cost office space, resources, and guidance. Startups usually apply to join and spend a set amount of time in the program to develop their ideas, learn from others, and reduce early costs.^[5]

A business accelerator is a program that helps startups grow quickly by offering mentorship, funding (often in exchange for equity), and resources. Startups usually need a working product and team to apply. Programs typically last 3 to 6 months and focus on rapid development and scaling.^[6]

Here are a few examples of business incubators and accelerators. Be sure to check with your college or university to see if there is an incubator or accelerator available on campus.

MIT

The MIT delta v accelerator is the capstone entrepreneurial experience for students at MIT.^[7] MIT REAP is a dynamic global initiative with two programs —Global and Focus—– that engage with communities around the world to strengthen innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems and transform economies.^[8]

MaRS

MaRS Discovery District innovation hub works with business startups to scale-ups. MaRS offers a range of services and a Start-up toolkit that help tech founders grow their companies and create meaningful innovation: solving real problems for real people. MaRS works with hundreds of companies across Canada, turning breakthrough ideas into products and services with global impact.^[9]

District 3

District 3 Innovation Hub is a Montreal-based startup accelerator affiliated with Concordia University. It supports early-stage tech entrepreneurs through coaching, resources, and access to a collaborative innovation ecosystem. The hub focuses on helping founders validate ideas, build scalable ventures, and connect with industry and academic partners.

Futurepreneur

Futurpreneur Canada is a national non-profit organization that supports aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18–39. It provides up to $75,000 in startup financing, one-on-one mentorship, and business resources to help young Canadians start or buy businesses. Since 1996, it has helped launch over 18,700 businesses across the country, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Their internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,600 volunteer mentors.^[10]

Vidhya: An Entrepreneur’s Journey Across Continents

Camelia Nunez

 

More Than One Story to Tell

Born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, Vidhya Mohandas grew up in a humble middle-class family that valued learning, discipline, and self-improvement. From a young age, she was naturally curious, always exploring, questioning, and eager to learn.

That love for learning led her into engineering and eventually into a successful 15-year career in IT. On her resume, you will see companies like Cognizant Technology Solutions, Bank of America, and IBM, where she worked as a Business Analyst and Change Manager. Her work involved stakeholder engagement, complex problem-solving, and leading change. These jobs gave her financial independence and the ability to fuel her other passions, like travelling.

She had made it a goal to visit a new state in India every year and learn from every landscape, every culture, and every conversation she had across her country.

Dance—Vidhya’s Childhood Passion

But long before the world of IT, something else had captured her heart, and it never let go. Vidhya was six years old, playing outside in a small village in North India where her father, a Railway Station Master, had been posted. It was an ordinary day—until someone put on some music and the kids started dancing.

When her turn came, something shifted. She became fully immersed in the moment. Her body moved with instinct, and she felt completely alive. Seen. Connected. Free.

A few curious children gathered. Then a few more. Before long, 50 people had formed a circle around her. Then someone brought out speakers, cleared a space, and created a makeshift stage using a vegetable cart. What started as a casual game turned into a full-blown performance for more than 300 people.

That was the moment. That’s when she knew dance wasn’t just something she loved. It was part of who she was.

From South India to Southwestern Ontario

Though she trained in various dance forms, it was Bharatanatyam that truly shaped her not just as a dancer, but as a person.

Bharatanatyam is one of India’s oldest classical dance forms. It’s really a discipline that blends movement, expression, rhythm, and storytelling. To learn is to embody history. To perform it is to speak through silence.

Over time, Bharatanatyam became more than an art for Vidhya. It became her foundation. Her language. Her offering. And that’s what she brought with her to Canada.

In 2023, Vidhya, her husband, and their three-year-old daughter moved to Canada. They came with hopeful hearts and a vision for a life with more opportunity, more freedom, and more space to grow. Like many newcomers, they didn’t know exactly how things would unfold, but they were ready to figure it out, one step at a time.

For Vidhya, that step started with a question: “How can I continue to share what I love most, in a new country with people who might not yet know its value?”

Her answer became Vidhyalaya.

Vidhyalaya Dancespace

Vidhyalaya Dancespace is the school Vidhya dreamed of: not just a place to teach dance, but a space to build connection, discover (a new) culture and grow your confidence.

Here, students don’t just learn Bharatanatyam—they connect to something deeper. They learn how rhythm, discipline, and expression can ground you. They discover that art can be both personal and cultural, ancient and alive.

Vidhyalaya Dancespace also offers:

• Carnatic vocal training, which helps dancers better understand rhythm and expression.
• Yoga to strengthen the body and calm the mind.
• A community where students of all backgrounds are welcomed into a space that celebrates learning in every form.

Vidhya began by teaching students in their homes. As her student base grew, so did her vision. In late 2024, she secured her first rental studio in Downtown Kitchener. And now, just a few months later, Vidhyalaya is expanding again. As of April 2025, Vidhyalaya has a dedicated full-time studio space with daily classes and even more room to grow.

But what makes Vidhyalaya special isn’t just the dance. It’s the feeling behind it. Vidhya isn’t teaching for applause or stage lights. She’s teaching for cultural preservation. Connection. For confidence. For self-expression. And that energy has attracted a growing group of students, parents, and even instructors who now work alongside her.

She’s created something rare: a space where ancient wisdom is passed on in ways that feel fresh and alive. A space where students learn more than technique. They learn strength. Stillness. Expression. Joy. In her words, “We’re not just teaching dance—we’re building a movement of unity, empowerment, and artistic expression.”

Vidhya’s Advice for Newcomers with Dreams

Don’t be afraid. Don’t wait until everything is figured out. Start. Ask questions. Learn as you go. Canada has more support and resources than we sometimes realize, but they don’t come to you. You have to go looking. And when you do, you’ll be surprised by how many kind-hearted people are willing to help.

And most importantly, believe in what you have to offer. Your experiences, your skills, your culture, your story—they all have value here.

Every great dream comes with its trials, but those who persist with passion and a clear sense of purpose will turn those dreams into something real.

No One Builds Alone

Vidhya isn’t just building a business—she’s building bridges across cultures, creating community, and adding something truly meaningful to the places she now calls home.

I came to Canada as an immigrant with nothing but faith in my roots, passion for my art, and a heart full of dreams. Through years of learning, unlearning, and believing, I built Vidhyalaya—a space where tradition meets opportunity. Starting a new business in a new land hasn’t been easy, but every step has been filled with purpose. I carry forward not just a dance form, but the values, discipline, and cultural richness that shaped me.

Attribution: Text © Camelia Nunez. Used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.