TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 – American Express Canada and DMZ today announced the 2026 Backing Canadian Small Businesses grant program has awarded $1 million CAD in grants to small businesses across Canada. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 CAD grant, along with mentoring support from DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, to help support growing their business and expanding their impact within their communities.
The Backing Canadian Small Businesses program is funded by American Express Canada and administered by DMZ. Since 2021, American Express Canada has supported 450 Canadian small businesses through its various grant programs, providing $4.5 million CAD in direct grant funding.
"Small businesses are vital to communities across Canada, driving innovation, creating opportunity and strengthening local economies," said Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager of Merchant Services, American Express Canada. "Through the Backing Canadian Small Businesses program, we're proud to help business owners invest in their next stage of growth while reinforcing our longstanding commitment to backing the small businesses that help communities thrive."
“Canadian entrepreneurs have no shortage of ambition. The difference is having the right support behind them to turn that ambition into growth,” said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. “We’re proud to work alongside this year’s recipients, connecting them with experienced mentors who can help them make stronger decisions, tackle the realities of growing a business and make the most of what comes next.”
In addition to receiving a $10,000 CAD grant, recipients can participate in DMZ's mentorship program, which includes small-group sessions and one-on-one coaching with experienced mentors covering areas such as sales, marketing, operations and leadership.
The 2026 grant recipients reflect the vitality of Canadian small businesses, representing a range of industries including retail, food service, health care and professional services. Some of this year’s inspiring grant recipients include:
- Newbornlander: A Newfoundland and Labrador-based business that designs and creates handcrafted accessories for babies and parents.
- Sweet Vanilla Bakery & Catering: A bakery and catering business specializing in handcrafted French-inspired pastries, macarons, custom cakes, dessert trays, and event catering.
- JOMO Studio: A plant and design studio connecting people with plants across Canada through curated houseplants, office plant design, custom gifting, and creative workshops.
- Jerk Dogs: A Canadian food brand specializing in premium gluten-free jerk chicken hot dogs, seasoned with Jamaican jerk spices and offered in mild and spicy varieties.
- The Abibiman Project: A food business offering chef crafted pantry products, interactive workshops and culinary experiences inspired by cuisines from across Africa.
- Concord Lighting: A Toronto design and manufacturing studio crafting bespoke, Canadian-made light fixtures for premium residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces.
To learn more about the Backing Canadian Small Businesses grant program, visit the program page.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS CANADA
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.
Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express’ brand is built on trust, security, service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. We seek to provide the world’s best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations, and we build and manage relationships with millions of merchants across our global network.
For more information about American Express in Canada, visit amex.ca, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/ and ir.americanexpress.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT DMZ
DMZ is a tech incubator and startup ecosystem that fuels entrepreneurship in Canada and beyond. Through its award-winning programs, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today’s fast-moving economy. By offering tailored support, world-class resources and expansive networks, DMZ nurtures bold ideas, drives business growth and creates global economic impact.
To date, DMZ has supported 800+ venture-scaled startups that have collectively raised $3.25+ billion in capital, while its broader programs have supported 5,273 entrepreneurs and helped create more than 25,400 jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, DMZ operates a global network of hubs spanning 15+ countries, enabling entrepreneurs to access diverse markets, collaborate internationally and drive global innovation.
MEDIA CONTACT
Alex Ford, Alex.Ford@aexp.com
Luvy Hardy, luvy.hardy@torontomu.ca
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