Administered by Provincial and territorial governments · Last verified: July 2026
Ulnooweg Development Group is an Aboriginal Financial Institution that has lent to Indigenous entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador) since 1986. It offers micro loans up to $5,000, women and youth loans up to $25,000, and general lending up to $750,000 for individuals (up to $1.5M for communities). Ulnooweg also administers the Aboriginal Business Financing Program, which provides non-repayable contributions toward business establishment, expansion, marketing, and planning. Applicants must be of Indigenous, Metis, or Inuit heritage and operate in the Atlantic provinces.
Review times vary by program, from a few weeks to a few months, so check the official page for its timeline. Grant money is usually paid after you sign a funding agreement, and cost-shared programs often reimburse you once you send proof of what you spent.
Take the 3-minute quiz to find out, and see every other Canadian program you qualify for at the same time.
Check my eligibilityUlnooweg Indigenous Business Financing is generally open to incorporated, self-employed, partnership businesses, in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador. Confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying.
The estimated value is Loans up to $750,000; non-repayable ABFP contributions up to 40% of expansion costs. The actual amount depends on your eligible costs, the program's budget, and approval.
1. Confirm Indigenous heritage and Atlantic location eligibility 2. Complete the Ulnooweg client inquiry form 3. Work with a Client Services Officer on the application package
Equity investment, typically into the next financing round; NBIF recently deployed about $3.2M across 16 investments
INCENTIVENegotiated; recent rebates ranged from about $115,000 to $800,000 tied to new job creation
INCENTIVELoans, working capital, and lines of credit up to $500,000, with a provincial guarantee up to 90%