Canadian.Ventures uses the consulting rates of its parent practice, BusinessConsulting.ca. Consulting runs from $175 an hour, defined projects from $3,500, and monthly retainers from $2,500. The first 30-minute consultation is free and carries no obligation, and every paid engagement starts with a written scope and a fixed figure.
Hourly consulting
$175–$350 /hour
Strategy sessions and expert advice by the hour.
Project
$3,500–$25,000 per project
Defined-scope work such as a plan, assessment or launch, with milestone payments.
Monthly retainer
$2,500–$12,000 /month
Ongoing advisory and execution support.
Growth Partner Program
Custom
Performance-based partnership: Ali invests time upfront and is paid on measurable results. Limited partnerships available.
Free initial consultation · no lock-in. The initial 30-minute consultation is free, with no obligation.
Prices in Canadian dollars. Sales tax is added based on the client's province (as of October 2026, CRA rates): 5% GST in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut; 13% HST in Ontario; 14% HST in Nova Scotia; 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI; 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Quebec. Provincial sales tax (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) only where it applies to the service. See full pricing on businessconsulting.ca/pricing.
The four ways to work with us
There are four pricing models, and most venture work fits the first three.
| Model | Price (CAD) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly consulting | $175–$350 per hour | A second opinion on a scope, a pricing review, or preparing for a builder or partner meeting |
| Project | $3,500–$25,000 per project | A customer discovery sprint, an MVP scope, or an operations set-up, with milestone payments |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500–$12,000 per month | Go-to-market reviews over eight to twelve weeks, or ongoing advisory while you grow |
| Growth Partner Program | Custom | Performance-based: Ali puts in his time first and is paid when measurable results arrive. Only a limited number of places |
Canadian clients add GST/HST based on their province (in Quebec, GST and QST). Our proposal states the exact figure, the payment milestones and what's included.
What drives the cost
Four things move a venture project up or down the range.
- How hard the buyers are to reach. Twenty conversations with homeowners can be arranged quickly. Twenty with hospital procurement managers take far longer.
- How much we run versus coach. If you run the interviews or the outreach with our scripts, the project is smaller than if we run more of it.
- How many stages are in scope. A single discovery sprint costs less than discovery plus MVP scoping, though combining stages shortens the hand-over between them.
- Language and region. A venture that needs to work in French in Quebec, or reach remote communities in the territories, needs more preparation. See our regional notes.
A worked budget for a first-time founder
Here's one way a founder with a fixed budget might use these models. The figures are illustrative, not a quote.
Suppose a founder has set aside $20,000 for the whole pre-revenue phase, including whatever gets built. Spending most of it on a product first leaves nothing for finding buyers. A more cautious sequence looks like this:
- A discovery sprint at the lower end of the project range.
- A few hours of hourly consulting to review the MVP scope the founder writes using our cut-list guide.
- The rest for the first version itself, built to that scope.
The founder learns whether the problem is real before spending on the product, and keeps most of the money for building. If discovery shows the idea needs to change, the larger share of the budget is still available.
How to choose
Match the model to the question you need answered.
- Not sure where you are? Start with the free consultation, then an hour or two of consulting.
- One clear stage to complete? A project, with a written result at the end. See services for what each stage includes.
- Selling every week and want accountability? A retainer for the go-to-market period.
- Interested in a performance-based arrangement? Ask about the Growth Partner Program; places are limited and the terms are agreed case by case.
What we don't charge for, and what we don't promise
The first 30-minute consultation is free. Beyond that, anything not stated here is confirmed in your written proposal, so you're never relying on a claim on a web page.
We don't promise funding, grants, tax credits or investor introductions, and our fees are not tied to raising money. If you want to see the method behind the numbers, the results page shows what our HVAC launches achieved and what does and doesn't transfer to a new venture. Then call, text or email for a scope.
Frequently asked questions
Do you take equity instead of fees?
No. We are not investors and we don't take equity in the ventures we advise. The Growth Partner Program is performance-based: Ali is paid on measurable results, and the exact terms are set out in writing in your proposal.
Why are the project prices a range?
Because the work varies. A discovery sprint for a consumer idea with easy-to-reach buyers is smaller than one for a niche business-to-business market. Your proposal names one fixed figure for your scope.
Is there a contract term?
There is no lock-in. Projects have a defined scope and end date, and the exact notice terms for retainers are confirmed in writing in your proposal.
Do prices include GST or HST?
No. Prices are in Canadian dollars, and founders add GST/HST for their province, or GST and QST in Quebec.
Can a start-up program pay for your fees?
Possibly, but that is the program's decision under its own rules, and we can't promise it. Check the administrator's official eligibility page before you assume any cost will be covered.