Case Study
How American Express and DMZ work together to support small businesses across Canada
4 min read
•
July 3, 2025
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TL:DR
American Express Canada and DMZ created the Backing Canadian Small Business Grant Program to support small businesses with community significance, owned by individuals experiencing economic hardship.
- Challenge: Small businesses struggle to access the combination of capital and strategic guidance needed to thrive in an increasingly complex marketplace.
- Solution: Co-creating the Backing Canadian Small Business Grant Program – combining $10,000 grants with 12-week mentorship for 100 businesses.
- DMZ's role: Providing expert mentorship, workshops and strategic business development support – tailored to each participant's industry and growth stage.
- Impact: Since 2021, supporting 250 Canadian small businesses with $2.5 million in funding from Amex Canada, as well as direct mentorship from experts at DMZ.
- Legacy: Creating a sustainable model for small business development that addresses their critical needs and makes a positive impact in local communities.
The challenge
Small businesses are the backbone of Canadian communities, yet many entrepreneurs struggle to access the combination of capital and expertise needed to truly thrive. While funding remains important, the real barriers are often about accessing the strategic networks, mentorship and business development expertise that help ventures navigate an increasingly complex marketplace.
Our solution
When Amex Canada and DMZ recognized this gap, they saw an opportunity to change how we support our local businesses. The Backing Canadian Small Business Grant Program emerged from a deeper understanding of what holds entrepreneurs back.
This program combines Amex Canada’s expertise in serving small businesses with DMZ's proven track record in scaling startups. Since 2021, Amex Canada has supported 250 Canadian small businesses with $2.5 million CAD in funding through its grant programs.
"Backing small businesses and supporting their growth has long been at the heart of our business," explains Lauren Dineen-Duarte, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at American Express Canada. “This program marks our latest effort to help Canadian small businesses continue to advance, build capacity and drive meaningful change within their communities.”
Our approach
DMZ’s role: The entrepreneurial ecosystem in action
DMZ’s 12-week mentorship curriculum covers essential areas that matter the most to small businesses: sales strategy, marketing effectiveness, operational efficiency and leadership development. But perhaps most importantly, it provides something many business owners lack: dedicated time and space to shift focus from day-to-day operations and think strategically about their future.
“Together with Amex Canada, we’re thrilled to deepen our commitment to nurturing the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a program that will deliver real and tangible impact to small business owners from coast-to-coast,” said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures.
Impact Stats
250
Canadian small businesses
$2.5M
in funding from Amex Canada
Legacy: Long-term growth strategies
What makes this partnership successful isn't just the combination of resources – it's the strategic program design. Rather than simply distributing funds, we are creating an ecosystem where small business owners gain access to expert mentorship, industry networks and the kind of practical guidance that turns day-to-day operations into long-term growth strategies.
The most effective support involves building the human connections and core skills that make businesses resilient, innovative and community-centered. This is the impact of our partnership: not just strengthening business operations, but also empowering the people who fuel Canada's economic growth.
DMZ: Your partner for transformative business development
DMZ helps organizations create meaningful entrepreneurship programs that deliver lasting impact to business communities across Canada.
- Proven mentorship frameworks refined through supporting 2400+ entrepreneurs
- Holistic approach combining funding access with strategic development
- Community-centered programming that builds local economic resilience
- Trusted by leading corporations and committed to measurable outcomes
