COVID-19 Resources for Entrepreneurs

Navigating through information sources regarding COVID-10 outbreak can be an overwhelming task. We are here to help you adapt and move forward during this unprecedented and often turbulent time. Below is a listing of resources geared toward Canadian entrepreneurs and business owners.

Helpful websites:

• Government of Canada – Overview of COVID-19 Economic Support: The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Provides direct financial support of $2,000 per month, for up to four months, to workers who have stopped working because of COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures.
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP): The Government of Canada has introduced the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to help Canadian businesses obtain financing during the current period of significant uncertainty.
• Subsidize 75% of Employee Wages with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program: Get up to 75% of employee wages reimbursed through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
• NRC IRAP Funding Helps Businesses Provide PPE and Sanitizer: The National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is using funding to help companies make PPE and sanitization equipment.
• Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open: The province of Ontario has launched a toll-free line (1-888-444-3659) to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s emergency order to close at-risk workplaces.
• Improve Your Working from Home Productivity: Mentor Works has curated list of ways you can increase your productivity when working from home and how to adapt to the working-from-home lifestyle.
• Individual Income Support Infographic: Find income support options that are available to Canadians affected by COVID-19.
• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada has launched the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which has been implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).
• Regional Development Agencies (RDAs): Provide federal funding for tourism operators, small businesses or organizations.
• Work-Sharing Program: Helps employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond their control.
• Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: This resource is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope in this difficult time.
• A Guide to Covid-19 and your Finances by annuity.org
• The University of Guelph's Wood Centre: Please visit our colleagues in the School of Business for even more business information related to COVID-19.

On-Demand Webinars:

• Export Development Canada (EDC) Resources: EDC offered a webinar that’s now available “on demand” to guide businesses as they manage the impact of COVID-19 on their global supply chains, which included Peter Hall, VP and Chief Economist of EDC.
• BDC’s How to Cope with the Impacts of COVID-19 on Your Business: The spread of COVID-19 poses important challenges to Canadian businesses. With the situation constantly evolving, you need to be prepared for any disruptions. Join BDC experts as they share short-term economic perspectives and advice on how to manage through the crisis.
• Crisis Management Workshop: How start-ups can cope during COVID-19: The recording of this webinar with Saskia Brussaard is available on the Research Innovation Office Youtube channel.

Contact the Accelerator Guelph team for further guidance on how to evaluate the resources available to you, your employees and your business as you adapt to the current situation.

For updates and more information on the University of Guelph's response to COVID-19 please visit the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Information page.