The Manitoba Small Business Guide:

An Extensive Resource for Establishing and Expanding Your Business Enterprise in Manitoba

Welcome to the comprehensive business guide, which aims to support you in not just establishing and operating a successful venture project but also expanding your business in Manitoba. Our CanadianSME Small Business Hub team is relentlessly working to provide you with all the essential tools and resources to run a successful enterprise. In addition to these resources, we also extend valuable insights incumbent to navigate each phase of your entrepreneurial journey. Our Manitoba Small Business Guide offers complete support and business counsel necessary to ensure your business thrives in the region.

Manitoba is home to a robust economy and inclusive entrepreneurial environment that provides a unique combination of resources, market access, and government support. This central province promises a favourable environment for startups and small businesses looking to harness the opportunities offered by its diverse sectors.
Manitoba boasts of a multifaceted economy that spans real estate, rental & leasing, agriculture, healthcare & social assistance, manufacturing, mining, and energy sectors, offering ample business opportunities. Its central location in Canada makes it a key transportation and trade hub, connecting businesses to markets across North America.
Manitoba presents strategic market access as it is located at the geographic centre of Canada and North America. The region’s advanced infrastructure, like the railways, airports, highways, and a sophisticated digital network, provides businesses with the necessary connectivity to flourish.
Manitoba also features a highly skilled and educated workforce, making it an appealing destination for businesses searching for a talented pool of professionals. The province’s workforce is further strengthened by its commitment to quality education and favourable immigration policies.
To facilitate development and innovation, the provincial government of Manitoba offers a number of grants, tax credits, and other forms of financial assistance to new and small enterprises. Manitoba also has a powerful technology and innovation environment because of its numerous useful assets that include incubators, accelerators, and coworking venues.
Manitoba is synonymous with the “good life at affordable prices.” In fact, the province’s low business costs can be attributed to the province’s high quality of life at a reasonable price. Manitoba has Canada’s most affordable housing, vehicle insurance, energy, and post-secondary education costs.

Explore the Best Available Resources for

SMBs and StartUps in Manitoba

Manitoba Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1931, the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce aids the growth of the states’ economy by connecting business owners with the right tools and resources. Additionally, they use their voice to represent the member’s demands in the various sectors of Manitoba’s economy from aerospace and machinery to furniture and electronics.
As per the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce’s LinkedIn bio, “the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce strives to champion sustainable economic growth leading to greater prosperity for business and communities in Manitoba” and it “aims to make Manitoba the best place to live and work.” With its 10,000 plus members and 71 chambers, it’s definitely making a difference!

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is another excellent option to turn to when you feel you need some help with your small-scale business in Manitoba. Dedicated to helping small firms and entrepreneurs, CFIB is the largest non-profit organization with more than 95,000 members. 

The CFIB plays a vital role in advocating for small-scale businesses, whether with the government or politicians. Additionally, they provide specific business tools and practical resources plus on-call counsellors if you still have a doubt.

Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce

Winnipeg’s Chamber of Commerce uses its strong position as a leader in the community to help all businesses across different sectors in finding the proper resources, and tools to work efficiently. In addition, they address all their concerns and represent their problems to the government, giving them a platform to raise their voice. Hoping to build a city with a bright economic future, their goal is to “empower members to weather, adapt and thrive within COVID and post-pandemic landscape.”

Manitoba Marketing Network

The Manitoba Marketing Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to Manitoba’s small business community. It is run by volunteers, and since its inception in 1985, the MMN has assisted over 5,500 businesses through its services.

SAFE Work Manitoba

​​​​​SAFE Work Manitoba — a division of the WCB is dedicated to the prevention of workplace injury and illness. Working with our partners in the safety community, we provide prevention education, safety programming, consulting and strategic direction to create a genuine culture of safety for all Manitobans.

Womens Enterprise Centre of Manitoba

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba is a resource for women looking to start or expand their businesses. We work on an individual basis with women throughout the province to answer their questions and help them determine the steps to make their businesses successful.

World Trade Centre Winnipeg

The World Trade Centre Winnipeg is an information portal for Manitoba entrepreneurs. Member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) and the Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN), we are centered on business.

YMCA – YWCA of Winnipeg

BizPaL is an online service that benefits Canadian businesses by helping them identify which permits and licences they require and how to obtain them. Entrepreneurs simply select the business activities they plan to undertake and BizPaL then automatically generates a list of all required permits and licences from all levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal), along with basic information on each, and links to government sites where the entrepreneur can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.