You’ve decided you want to start your own business. Congratulations! You’re going to become a part of one of the most important and influential sectors of Canada’s economy; there are niches and sectors that can only realistically be served by small to medium sized businesses, and with the right strategy and growth, you might end up becoming a large enterprise! For first-time business owners, the process can be a bit daunting, so we want to provide you links to a few free tools for entrepreneurs in Winnipeg.

Innovation Canada’s Online Tool:  One of the most well designed resources you’ll find on our federal government’s website. You plug in a variety of information – what you want funding for, how big your business is, a bit about yourself, what your goals are, what sector you work in, and other details. Then it provides you with a comprehensive list of government and non-government resources you can access to make your dreams come true.

Government of Manitoba Tax Credits and Programs: Lots of good stuff here. From details on the Business Start Program loan to the variety of tax credits offered by the provincial government for various business owners, this is a continually updated list of financial resources offered in Manitoba. Very worth checking out when you’re starting your business, and as your business grows to keep abreast of new opportunities.

World Trade Centre Winnipeg: An invaluable resource for Manitoba entrepreneurs, new and old. They offer a ton of free courses, which you can attend in person or via webinar; courses like “How to Start a Business in Manitoba”, “Import/Export 101” and “Irregular Income: Budgeting Solutions” offer expert advice for a variety of different types of businesses and experience levels. One of the most incredible offerings from WTC Winnipeg is secondary market research, the first hour of which per year is free.

YES! Winnipeg: Tied in with Economic Development Winnipeg, YES! Encourages new business owners in Winnipeg and provides them with a number of resources. You contact one of their coordinators, and they can get you in touch with investors, suppliers, an able workforce and customers. They can also help you find real estate and government subsidies, while helping you navigate through the daunting world of bureaucracy.

Futurpreneur Canada: For Canadians between 18-39, Futurpreneur will connect you with mentors and financing. They also have a wonderful, free business plan creation tool on their website, a library of resources, and an “entrepreneurship pathway” to guide you along your journey into business ownership.

Those five resources should help you along your journey to becoming a successful business owner. There are, of course, a plethora of other tools you can access, and many of the resources we included here will help you find those other resources. At some point along this journey, you’ll likely need an experienced accounting firm to help you manage your finances; give us a call, and we can help you, whatever stage of development your business is in.