Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE)

Access to early-stage capital can be a major hurdle for entrepreneurs from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, especially when it comes to building visibility and modernizing operations. The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) program was created to help address that gap by offering targeted, non-repayable funding to small businesses across Ontario. Delivered by the Government of Ontario, RAISE focuses on practical investments that can strengthen day-to-day operations and support long-term growth.

The program is well suited to small teams, including growing hospitality businesses, that are looking to sharpen their marketing efforts, improve digital capabilities, or invest in tools and materials that support their work. Funding of up to around $10,000 can help offset costs related to marketing and communications, digital transformation initiatives, business supplies, or skills and knowledge development. Rather than supporting large expansions, RAISE is designed to help entrepreneurs make meaningful improvements that increase competitiveness and sustainability.

Because the program targets specific business profiles and priorities, understanding how your business activities align with its goals is key before applying. For Indigenous, Black, and racialized entrepreneurs in Ontario who want to strengthen their operations without taking on debt, reviewing the full RAISE program details through GrantHub can help determine whether this funding opportunity is the right fit.