Notice
This website will change as a result of the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Consult the new Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada home page or the new Indigenous Services Canada home page.
This website will change as a result of the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Consult the new Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada home page or the new Indigenous Services Canada home page.
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program provides access to capital and business opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada.
This program promotes entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities and seeks to increase the number of viable Indigenous-owned businesses. The program has 2 components: access to capital and business opportunities.
The program provides Indigenous businesses with access to non-repayable contributions for:
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) manages the program and distributes the funding through a network of 59 Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) across Canada. The AFIs can offer capital and other business support services to Indigenous businesses. To find out more about AFIs, visit What is an Aboriginal Financial Institution.
The amount of funding available for a business proposal depends on its scope and its estimated budget. Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs may receive up to $99,999 in funding assistance.
Eligible recipients include:
Eligibility varies between AFIs. Consult with your local AFI to see if you are eligible.
There is no deadline to apply.
To apply for funding, please contact your local AFI directly or the NACCA.
For any inquiry, please contact the NACCA.