Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Business Opportunities
Use our Access to Business Opportunities funding to support a regional or national initiative that will provide tools and support to foster Indigenous entrepreneurship.
This program does not provide funding for individual business startups, acquisitions, or expansions.
This funding offers non-repayable contributions.
Offered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Amount
Up to $500,000
Non-repayable contributions of up to 100% of costs for eligible activities, up to a maximum of $500,000 per recipient per year
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
- First Nation and Inuit communities
- Indigenous-owned organizations and associations (as long as they are not charitable or religious)
- Labour organizations
- Universities, colleges, and other learning institutions
Funding may be provided to Indigenous for-profit organizations and entities solely in support of activities that are non-commercial in nature and not intended to generate profit, increase business value or otherwise confer a commercial advantage. Any contributions to private firms are made exclusively to advance program priorities and objectives and must not result in profit generation for the funded entity.
Eligible projects
The scope of the project must be either:
- National: expected benefits will impact numerous communities and regions throughout Canada
- Regional: expected benefits will impact several communities in a specific region
About the funding
This funding offers non-repayable contributions.
The Access to Business Opportunities stream has an annual budget of $850,000.
We may reimburse up to 100% of costs for eligible activities, up to a maximum of $500,000 per recipient per year.
Funding depends on:
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- The needs of the recipient
- The eligibility of costs
- The economic benefits
- Project viability
Eligible project activities may include:
- Institutional development, including training and development and business supports to business development organizations
- Business advisory services and training
- Support provided to businesses (ultimate beneficiary) seeking to start, scale or innovate
- Market development
- Organizational development and advocacy activities
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