Manitoba’s Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit (SBVCTC) is one of the powerful tools shaping that growth — a program designed to reward investors who back local innovation. With a 45% tax credit, it’s one of the most generous incentives in Canada.
When Manitobans talk about investing in the future, they shouldn’t have to look far. Some of the most meaningful opportunities are growing right here at home, in the small businesses and startups shaping our province’s tomorrow.
This only rewards investors for backing local companies, but also helps those companies turn big ideas into real‑world impact.
And right now, one of those ideas is blossoming in the form of Typha Co., a cleantech startup working to protect Lake Winnipeg while building a sustainable business model.
Turning Cattails Into Climate Solutions
Typha Co. is part of the North Forge Founders Program, Canada’s only startup incubator/accelerator and fabrication lab, that supports entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and connections to grow their businesses. Their objective? To restore wetlands, revive Lake Winnipeg, and build a sustainable business model all at once.
Named after the Latin word for cattails, Typha Co. harvests these prairie plants to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges in our province — nutrient loading in Lake Winnipeg. Excess phosphorus from agricultural runoff has fueled harmful algal blooms that are problematic for cottagers, the tourism industry, and the many fishers who rely on the lake. Approximately 80 percent of the commercial fishery is Indigenous-owned, making this an economic and cultural concern.
By harvesting cattails at a critical point in their lifecycle, Typha Co. removes excess nutrients from the water and repurposes them into renewable horticulture products. Their potting mix, for example, is a nutrient-rich alternative to peat moss, which is made from decomposed organic material found in peat bogs. When peat is mined, it releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
“We’re trying to bring back the vital services that wetlands used to provide, in terms of water filtration, biodiversity habitat, flood and draught protection.” explained co‑founder and CEO Alec Massé. “This plant has the power to reduce nutrient loading to freshwater lakes and at the same time provide growers with sustainable, cost‑effective materials.”
It’s a solution that hits two problems with one root system: restoring ecological balance while offering gardeners and growers better products.
A Personal Drive to Protect Lake Winnipeg
For Massé, this isn’t just business. It’s a mission. Growing up in Manitoba, he saw how floods and agricultural runoff shaped the health of our waterways, and how quickly things could worsen. That sense of urgency fuels Typha Co.’s innovation. Already, the company is selling through local garden centres and farmers markets, while also developing high‑value byproducts like textile insulation sourced from cattail seeds.
How the Manitoba Small Business Tax Credit Supports Typha Co.
The timing of Typha Co.’s growth aligns perfectly with the SBVCTC program.
“It’s going to be a natural incentive for investors to get in early,” Massé said. “The Manitoba small business tax credit allows you to almost recuperate half your investment regardless if it’s successful or not. It’s a real risk‑mitigation tactic, and it’s going to help us find local people who are passionate about Lake Winnipeg and want to see local climate action taking root.”
Pre‑approved to raise up to $2.2 million under the program, Typha Co. is currently focused on closing a $300,000 pre‑seed round by the end of August.
A Broader Opportunity for Manitoba
While Typha Co. is a compelling example, it’s just one of many Manitoba startups that benefit from this program. The Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit exists to connect local investors with promising businesses across a wide range of industries. For investors, it’s a chance to reduce risk while supporting innovation at home. For entrepreneurs, it’s a way to access the capital they need to scale their ideas into real impact.
“Manitoba’s SBVCTC is a game-changer for startups,” said Joelle Foster, President & CEO of North Forge. “It’s not just a tax credit, it’s a clear signal that our province is committed to fueling innovation and entrepreneurship. At North Forge, we’ve seen firsthand how this incentive empowers investors to back early-stage companies with confidence, giving our founders the critical runway they need to scale. While other provinces offer support, Manitoba’s program delivers one of the most competitive, investor friendly environments in the country, making this the place to build the next big idea.”
As Manitoba continues growing as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, the SBVCTC stands out as a powerful tool. Whether you’re a small business owner considering your next funding round, or an investor looking for opportunities that matter close to home, this program is designed to help Manitoba businesses — and our economy — flourish.
Read the article in the Winnipeg Sun here. For more information on the Manitoba’s Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit (SBVCTC) click here.
