Small business resources

All businesses in Alberta must be registered in the province to conduct business.

Structure and license your business

Before registering your business, learn about business legal structures and which type might be right for you. BizPal is a support tool that helps entrepreneurs and small businesses find permits and licences they may require when starting or managing a business.

Register your business

Once you decide what kind of organization you would like to incorporate, learn about the step-by-step process for registration.

Register an out-of-province business

If you have a business that is active but not registered in Alberta, be sure to register your corporation with Alberta’s Online Extra-provincial Registration.

For more tips on registering and licensing a business, refer to our Licensing and Registering tip sheet.

To get started, learn about structuring and registering your business, connect with a Business Link advisor.

Futurpreneur offers loans of up to $75,000, mentoring and advice to entrepreneurs ages 18 to 39.

Community Futures offers loans to rural businesses, and has 27 offices throughout Alberta.

ATB Entrepreneur Centre can help you find additional resources through funding, advice and connections to help you get started on your way or expand your business.

Discover potential financing options through Alberta’s Superintendent of Financial Institutions. It includes the regulatory framework surrounding capital lending and lists of accredited institutions.

Alberta offers an Innovation Employment Grant for organizations of any size to conduct research and development. This program is designed to work in tandem with the Job Creation Tax Cut and can provide you with up 20% toward qualifying research and development expenditures.

If your business requires employees to undergo specific training, the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant can provide assistance to cover 50% of costs up to $5,000 for an existing employee, or 75% of costs up to $10,000 for unemployed Albertans. This employer-driven program, which replaces the Canada-Alberta Job Grant, reimburses part of the training expenses to boost productivity and workforce competitiveness. Employers apply on behalf of their employees.

Alberta Innovates funding programs help drive your innovative and technological ideas forward. They provide funding and support for small and medium-sized enterprises that are focused on addressing provincial challenges and benefitting Albertans.

The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation providing farm and commercial loans, in addition to hail, crop and livestock price insurance and farm income disaster insurance.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program is a loan-sharing program between the Government of Canada and financial institutions which helps small businesses access financing of up to $1 million.

Visit the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to explore loans for businesses that have been active for at least 12 months. BDC also provides referrals for businesses that have been active for less than 12 months.

The Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant provides up to $30,000 in matching funding to support small and medium-sized manufacturers across any sector looking to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Additional financial support programs are available to entrepreneurs of diverse groups.

Through the Self-Employment Program, eligible Albertans can apply for training, one-on-one advice and support for developing business plans and starting a new business.

There are different self-employment programs across different regions of Alberta. Go to the Employment and Training Services Directory and find your community to access available programs.

Learn about unfair business practices ensure your organization follows best business practices. Review the Consumer Protection Act to learn about consumer protection and how you can protect yourself from liabilities.

The ALIS Self-Employment page provides information and resources to help individuals explore self-employment, develop a business plan, and access training and supports tailored to specific groups including youth, Indigenous peoples, rural residents and individuals with disabilities.

Starting and operating a licensed child care program has the requirements, resources, forms and templates to start a facility-based child care program or family day home agency.

Become a continuing care provider or operator explains how to get into the continuing care industry by becoming a home and community care based provider or facility-based continuing care operator. Explore the rewarding opportunities of providing care services for Alberta’s seniors and differently abled residents.

Supports for technology businesses is a listing of provincial and federal supports designed to help small and medium sized businesses involved in advanced technologies through grant and voucher programs, as well as tax incentives.

Agri-processing business resources covers the topics of local food, co-packing and commercial kitchens and starting or growing an agricultural business. Guides, reports, documents and other supports are geared towards those in food and the bio-processing industry.

Business Link hosts events and webinars designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in managing their business.

Alberta Purchasing Connection is a tool that lets public and private sector users manage, advertise and distribute public purchasing opportunities for goods, services and construction in Canada.

Alberta provides education and resources for occupational health and safety (OHS), preventing work-related injuries, illness and fatalities by working with employers and workers.

ATB Entrepreneur Centre offers advice, webinars, guides and other tools to support small businesses in managing their business.

BDC advisory services offers support with business strategy, sales and marketing, financial management, operational efficiency and much more.

Maintaining your business with the Government of Canada offers resources on managing business operations, strategic and financial planning, marketing and more.

Community Futures supports business operations by providing flexible financing, one-on-one coaching and practical training to help entrepreneurs manage and grow their businesses, especially in rural Alberta.

Learn more about the employment standards employers must adhere to which sets out rules, regulations and compliance measures in Alberta.

The Government of Alberta provides various workforce supports for businesses:

• Workforce Adjustment Service
• Workforce contacts and employer resources
• Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant
• Employment agencies
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) sets and enforces workplace health and safety standards, ensuring employers provide a safe environment and supporting training and procedures that reduce risks and improve employee well-being.

The Government of Canada also offers resources to support businesses for hiring and managing employees.

Ensure your business is in good standing and meets its obligations and responsibilities after incorporating.

In coordination with federal, territorial and other provincial governments, Alberta has created a framework of practices to protect the public from online threats. Learn about the Alberta’s Cybersecurity Strategy including tip sheets on how you can protect yourself and your company.

The Government of Canada also offers resources and information on cybersecurity, fraud protection, and intellectual property and copyright.

Know your corporate income tax responsibilities. Alberta offers a small business deduction, an innovation employment grant and other credits.

File, pay and review business tax information online through the Canada Revenue Agency Digital services (CRA).

• See the Business video gallery for additional resources.

Ensure your small business is protected with business insurance. The Government of Canada has information on the main types of business insurance small business owners should consider.

Alberta offers information for insurance consumers.

The Business Development Bank of Canada can help you determine the business insurance you need.

Futurpreneur offers succession planning support to help businesses sell and acquire businesses. Connect with the Alberta team for advice and coaching.

Business Link has a team of experts who can help provide advice and guidance on the process of exiting your business whether you are dissolving or filing bankruptcy.

The Business Development Bank of Canada offers resources for changing ownership of a business, including succession planning and selling your business.

Resources for exiting your business are also available from the Government of Canada. You can change the legal status of your business or if you are filing for bankruptcy, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy has resources to support you though the process.

The Alberta Innovation Employment Grant encourages economic growth supporting small and medium-sized businesses that invest in research and development with a grant worth up to 20% of qualifying expenditures.

Alberta Economic Dashboard provides economic data and insights to assist in market research.

The Business Benefits Finder with the Government of Canada offers support for research and development.

The Alberta Export Expansion Program supports small and medium-sized businesses that promote Alberta exports through international travel to formal outbound trade events. Export Alberta offers guidance for those new to exporting or looking to grow their exports and information on upcoming international trade missions and how to participate. These missions offer businesses a gateway to explore new markets, build strategic connections and strengthen their global presence.

The Trade Accelerator Program offers a 4-session initiative to support the strategic development of Alberta businesses preparing to expand into international markets.

The Trade Commissioner Service with the Government of Canada offers guides and statistics to help businesses plan their export expansion, as well as grant funding through the CanExport program. Export Development Canada supports small businesses to expand through their Trade Expansion Lending Program and their Export HelpHub.

The Business Development Bank of Canada also offers export tools.

Business Link’s Digital Marketing Program offers free digital marketing support to help Alberta small businesses grow their online presence. Small business owners can receive personalized guidance to set up Google Business Profiles, create optimized websites and develop social media strategies.

Connect with a Regional Economic Development Specialist to access targeted advice and consultation on opportunities within your region.

The Futurepreneur Growth Accelerator brings together a cohort of small businesses from across Canada to learn and expand their businesses.

Community Futures offers support for rural businesses in Alberta that are looking to grow.

Alberta Innovates provides coaching, community and capital to high growth technology or knowledge based small businesses in Alberta.

ATB Entrepreneur Centres provide workshops and events to support small businesses who want to expand their business.

Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) support Alberta businesses by advocating for conditions that overcome barriers to growth and build welcoming and inclusive business communities.

The Growth Driver Program with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) takes small businesses through workshops, and guidance to support their growth. BDC also offers other growth tools.

Alberta offers the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund which helps Indigenous community-owned businesses capitalize on business development opportunities to improve socio-economic outcomes.

The Indigenous Employment Training Partnerships Program offers grants for eligible Indigenous organizations to assist the unemployed or underemployed with skills training and work experience.

Business Link offers workbooks for business planning and how to become an independent contractor along with other Indigenous entrepreneur resources.

The Métis Entrepreneurs’ Assistance Program is offered by the Apeetogosan Métis Corporation to support to Métis entrepreneurs with small business loans, small business grants, support services and business advisory services.

The Status Entrepreneur Assistance Program is offered by the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation(AIIC) a First Nation owned investment company that provides business resources and lending for First Nations people in Alberta.

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program and the Ohpikiwin Workshop Series are offered by Futurpreneur providing mentoring, financial supports and other resources to Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The Indian Business Corporation offers opportunities for success and development of First Nations businesses and individuals in Western Canada.

Community Futures Treaty Seven offers training, employment and business development opportunities through the Treaty Seven Economic Development Corporation.

Opportunity Alberta offers resources to Immigrate and start a business in Alberta.

Alberta Temporary foreign workers information has resources for workers and employers.

Action for Healthy Communities supports newcomers to Alberta in developing their business skills and starting a business.

Business Link immigrant entrepreneur services also offers supports, resources and workbooks to get your business started.

A Black Entrepreneur Startup Program is offered through Futurpreneur to support young Black entrepreneurs through financing, mentorship, networking and other resources.

The Entrepreneurship Empowerment program is offered through the Africa Centre and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to help remove barriers so Black entrepreneurs in Alberta can achieve their full potential.

The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), supported by the Government of Canada and BDC, administers a Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund of up to $250,000 to help Black entrepreneurs grow their business. It also offers a business directory.

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) provides programs for women entrepreneurs through capital, skill development and connections.

An Alberta Women’s Economic Recovery Capital Growth Initiative is offered through Community Futures. It includes low-interest business loans, advice and support to women entrepreneurs.

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is offered through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It includes financing, networks and a Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub.

Parallèle Alberta offers support to French-speaking Francophone entrepreneurs throughout their business life cycle.

Futurpreneur brings young entrepreneurs together through their G20 YoungEntrepreneurs’ Alliance, a global network of over 500,000 young entrepreneurs and organizations that support them.

Community Futures Alberta supports the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.