For Indigenous
38 programs
for indigenous-owned business.
The funding landscape for Indigenous-owned business runs through Indigenous Services Canada at the federal level and the network of about 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations regionally. The two layers work together: federal capital flows through the regional institutions, which combine it with their own loans and advisory support. Knowing which institution serves your region is the first step.
See which apply to my businessWhat you should know
- ·Most programs require proof of Indigenous identity (status, non-status, Métis, or Inuit) and majority ownership (usually 51%).
- ·Some Métis-specific funds also require provincial citizenship cards (MMF, MNS, MNO).
- ·Federal AEP Access to Capital can stack with NACCA regional financing and with the IWE (women) or IYE (youth) streams.
- ·Procurement set-aside via PSIB is separate. It requires registration in the Indigenous Business Directory, not financial assistance.
Grants
12NACCA Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)
Up to $99,999 (sole proprietor) or $250,000 (corporation)
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Grants
Up to $25,000 per stream
Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program
Businesses: up to $10,000 (35% cost-share); community streams up to $250,000
CleanBC Go Electric Home and Workplace Charging Program (Workplace)
Up to 75% of project costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per charger and $25,000 per workplace
CleanBC Go Electric Fleet Charging Program
Up to 50% of charger costs, with up to 75% for Indigenous organizations
Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Program
$25,000 to $1.5 million depending on stream
Quebec City Capitale-Commerce Grant
Up to $25,000 (max 30% of eligible expenses)
Enabling Accessibility Fund: Small Projects Component
Up to $125,000 per project (recent small projects calls); some calls have set higher per-project ceilings
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital
Up to $99,999 for individuals; up to $250,000 for community businesses
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Business Opportunities
Up to $500,000 per recipient per year; up to 100% of eligible costs
Co-operatives First Start-up Support
Free advisory support (typically worth $5,000+ in professional fees)
Clarence Campeau Development Fund (Saskatchewan Métis)
Non-repayable equity grants plus loans (amount set by project and stream)
Incentives
24Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB)
Access to ~$1.5B annual federal procurement set-aside
Atuqtuarvik Corporation Financing
Loans and equity from $150,000 to $3,000,000
Kakivak Association Makigiaqvik Loans
Loans up to $25,000 per project
New Brunswick Workforce Expansion Employer Wage Incentive
Partial wage subsidy during the training period
Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Financing
Loans up to $750,000; non-repayable ABFP contributions up to 40% of expansion costs
Waubetek Indigenous Business Financing
Term loans up to $500,000; ABFP financing up to $250,000
Indian Business Corporation Financing (Alberta)
Loans up to approximately $1,000,000 (average around $70,000)
Louis Riel Capital Corporation Business Grant and Loan
Combined loan and non-repayable grant package (projects generally above $40,000)
Clarence Campeau Development Fund (Saskatchewan Metis)
Grants and loans from $10,000 to $1,000,000; business plan support up to $10,000
All Nations Trust Company Indigenous Business Financing (BC)
Non-repayable grants up to $99,999; First Citizens Fund loans up to $115,000
Metis Voyageur Development Fund (Ontario Metis)
Financing up to $1,500,000 plus non-repayable business plan support
Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation Financing (Manitoba)
Business loans (amounts set case by case; contact TWCC)
Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) Program
Microloans up to $50,000 plus advisory support
Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship (IYE) Program
Up to $75,000 in combined loans and grants
Louis Riel Capital Corporation: Business Grant & Loan Program
Loans plus non-repayable grants; projects generally above $40,000
Apeetogosan (Métis) Development: Business Financing (MEAP)
Financing from $5,000 to $325,000; up to 90% of project costs
Co-operative Housing Development Program (CHDP)
Forgivable and low-interest loans funding up to 100% of eligible costs
BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan
Up to $350,000
Waubetek Aboriginal Business Financing (North-Eastern Ontario)
Up to $250,000 interest-free repayable financing (up to $20,000 women's stream)
Ulnooweg Indigenous Business Loans (Atlantic Canada)
Micro loans up to $5,000; women and youth up to $25,000; general loans up to $750,000
Métis Voyageur Development Fund (Ontario)
Business financing up to $1,500,000
Indian Business Corporation Developmental Loans (Alberta)
Loans averaging $70,000, up to $1,000,000
Efficiency Manitoba Small Business Program
Free energy-efficient upgrades and assessment (up to 100% covered)
Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP)
Up to 50% of project costs, max $2,000,000 per project (75% for Indigenous organizations)
Common questions
How do federal and regional programs work together?
Federal AEP capital flows through Aboriginal Financial Institutions (e.g., Ulnooweg in the Atlantic, Waubetek in northeastern Ontario, ANTCO in BC). You apply to the regional institution, which packages the federal grant alongside its own loan.
Is there a separate program for Indigenous women or youth?
Yes. The Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) and Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship (IYE) programs are national, delivered through Indigenous Financial Institutions, and combine microloans with grants.
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