Start and Grow your Business
The following key business information and business service organizations will help you start and grow your business.
Please note: this guide is not all encompassing. There may be additional things you need for your particular business.
Plan your business
Market research
Conduct research on the market, the industry, and your competition.
Research information services can be found at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg website.
Financing your business
How will you finance your business? Along with your own money, additional funding may be provided through commercial loans and other financial programs.
Visit our Programs and Incentives page and Innovation Canada for a list of financial programs.
Choose a business structure
Before you register your business, you will have to choose your business structure (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or Corporation). View our Business Structure article to learn more.
Develop your business skills
You can attend workshops and seminars to help develop your skills. See below for some training options.
- World Trade Centre Winnipeg: Seminars and Workshops
- Canada Revenue Agency: CRA Businesses Video Gallery
Starting or growing a food business?
Visit Manitoba Agriculture’s Business Pathways website to access tools, supports and resources for food, beverage and agri-product processing businesses.
Register your business name
If you choose to carry on a business under a name other than your own name, you must register with the Companies Office. Sole proprietors who are carrying on business under their own name (ex: Jane Smith operating as “Smith Plumbing", does not have to register).
Note: the sole owner is required to display a sign at their business showing his or her full name. Partnerships and Corporations must be registered with the Companies Office.
Step 1: Reserve your Business Name
File a name reservation with the Companies Office.
Step 2: Register your Business Name
Register the business with your chosen business structure (see "Choose a business structure" above) using your name approval.
You can file name reservations and business registrations online at the Companies Office website.
Please Note: As of May 1, 2020, cooperative corporations (co-ops) must register with the Companies Office.
Once your business is been registered, the Companies Office will issue you a 9-digit Business Number (BN).
Related Link: Starting a Cooperative
Support Your Employees
Rights and Responsibilities
Make sure you are aware of your rights and responsibilities as an employer.
Manitoba Employment Standards
Winnipeg: 204-945-3352 | Toll Free: 1-800-821-4307
Brandon: 204-726-6370
Email: employmentstandards@gov.mb.ca
Remit payroll deductions
As an employer, you are responsible for deducting Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, employment insurance (EI) premiums and income tax from employee salaries, wages, or any other type of income and remitting them to Canada Revenue Agency.
Canada Revenue Agency
Phone: 1-800-959-5525
Register with the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba
Workers Compensation is an injury and disability insurance for workers and employers, paid by employers. As an employer, you must register for Workers Compensation from the moment you have your first employee. Self-employed individuals can also obtain personal coverage.
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba
Winnipeg: 204-954-4321 | Toll Free: 1-855-954-4321
Brandon: 204-571-4870 | Toll Free: 1-877-437-4870
Email: wbc@wcb.mb.ca
Maintain a safe and healthy workplace
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure you are providing a safe and healthy work environment for your employees.
- Workplace Safety and Health
Phone: 204-957-SAFE (7233) | Toll Free: 1-855-957-SAFE (7233) - SAFE Work Manitoba
SAFE Work Manitoba is the public agency dedicated to the prevention of workplace injury and illness.
Are you a foreign investor thinking of immigrating to Manitoba to start a business?
Business Investor Stream (BIS): The BIS allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba. There are two pathways:
- The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants seeking to open a business in Manitoba; and
- The Farm Investor Pathway for those intending to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba.
