This report investigates how entrepreneurship is supported and delivered within Canadian Higher Education Institutions. Overall, the survey revealed that Canadian higher education institutions are active in offering entrepreneurship education as well as in providing a network of practitioners to support students interested in entrepreneurship.
This issue discusses venture capital (VC) investment and fundraising activity in Canada during the third quarter of 2010, covering July through September 2010.
An update of the November 2004 profile on women entrepreneurs, this profile describes the recent financing activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) majority-owned by women in Canada. General business characteristics and financial growth performances are compared with SMEs majority-owned by men to highlight past and current gender differences.
This issue covers venture capital (VC) investment and fundraising activity in Canada during the second quarter of 2010 – during the period from April to June.
This paper investigates the determinants of discouragement for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regarding financing sought.
The July 2010 issue updates several sections, including data on the number of businesses in Canada, job creation, earnings by business size, the number of self-employed workers and the contribution of small businesses to Canada's gross domestic product.
This paper investigates the economic impact of the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) by using the 2004 edition of the Survey on Financing of Small and Medium Enterprises. Based on this analysis, the CSBFP contributed to approximately 10 percentage point growth in salary, employment and revenues of its participants between 2004 and 2006.
This issue discusses venture capital (VC) investment and fundraising activity in Canada during the first quarter of 2010. It also describes recent federal and provincial government measures that support VC. Finally, it includes an article on the many entrepreneurship boot camps in Canada that help develop innovative start-ups.
This report charts entrepreneurial activity in Canada over time and compares it with leading countries. Entrepreneurial performance indicators observed include: birth and death rates, survival rates, high-growth firms and gazelles, and research and development expenditures.
Special edition of Key Small Business Statistics
The publication examines the distribution of all Canadian firms according to their growth rate (positive or negative) in terms of employment and revenue. An analysis by firm size and industry, as well as employment created and revenue generated by firms is also included.
Fast facts
In 2022, there are 1.22 million SMEs in Canada that have employees.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
97.8% of businesses in Canada have fewer than 100 employees.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
Between 2016 and 2020, on average, 101,921 businesses were created every year and 96,548 disappeared.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
In 2022, private sector SMEs employ around 8 million people in Canada.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
22% of SMEs operate in goods-producing industries and 78% of SMEs operate in service industries.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
SMEs were responsible for $293 billion (40.8%) of Canada's total value of goods exports in 2022.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
2.6% of firms with 10 employees or more were high-growth firms in 2020.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
SMEs contributed 49% of Canada's GDP in 2020.
Source: Key Small Business Statistics
12.1% of SMEs exported goods and services in 2020.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
The likelihood of exporting increases with business size.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
The primary decision maker of 47% of SMEs is between 50 and 64 years old.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
16.8% of SMEs were majority-women owned in 2020.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
25% of SMEs are operated by individuals with a bachelor's degree, while 15% are operated by individuals with a master's degree or above.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
28% of SMEs innovated between 2018 and 2020.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
16% of SMEs held intellectual property in 2020.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
82% of SMEs requested external financing in 2020.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
92% of the amount of debt financing requested by SMEs was authorized.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
2% of SMEs imported services from outside Canada.
Source: 2020 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises