Existing Businesses:
Expansion of Existing Markets

Existing Businesses:
Expansion of Existing Markets

FAQs

How long does the application process take? How much funding can I receive? What if I don't have 100 percent ownership in my business?

If you are seeking support from Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) to expand your existing markets, please review the information outlined below.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for ABC support to expand existing markets you must:

• be of Aboriginal heritage (Status or Non-status Indian – located on or off-reserve – Métis or Inuit); and
• have a minimum of 15 percent cash equity to invest in the total eligible project costs. (This may increase depending on your financial capacity to bear more of the costs. At least one-half of your equity must come from personal resources.).

Additional Considerations

• Since the level of risk associated with domestic market expansion is normally less than that for the establishment of a new business, ABC offers a reduced level of assistance for eligible projects of this nature (usually 30 percent of total eligible project costs).
• If you are seeking support for marketing costs related to eligible projects, you must have a marketing plan in place, and financial statements that clearly demonstrate the viability of your business. (ABC may be able to offer financial support towards the development a marketing plan.).

Overview of Supported Activities

For projects involving expansion of existing markets, ABC uses the following guidelines to determine whether a proposed project is eligible for support.

• ABC uses a 100-km threshold as a guideline when assessing whether a project expands existing markets or expands into a new domestic market.

Eligible Project Costs

For projects involving expansion of existing markets, ABC can support:

• marketing costs, and
• costs associated with obtaining financial services and business services.

Applying to ABC for Support

Now that you have reviewed our eligibility criteria and other important information, you are ready to proceed to the next section. This section will explain the application process for ABC support.

Questions? Please review our Frequently Asked Questions or contact a development officer at an office location near you.

Before You Apply | Applying to ABC | Once a Project is Approved | Once a Project is Completed