Equity contributions and access to business opportunity funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs, delivered largely through Indigenous Financial Institutions.
Set per project, delivered through an IFI
Non-Dilutive Capital
Indigenous business grants in Canada
A working directory of 26 Indigenous grant and non-dilutive capital programs across Canada, compiled from each administering organization's public pages. Search and filter by category and region.
A national capital pool that resources Indigenous Financial Institutions so they can lend more, and in larger amounts, to Indigenous businesses.
Roughly $153M committed to the fund
Patient financing, non repayable funding, training and advisory support built specifically for Indigenous women entrepreneurs.
Set by the delivering IFI
Contribution and equity support to establish or expand Indigenous businesses in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, often delivered by regional Inuit associations.
Project based
Funding and business development support for Indigenous led businesses and organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Project based
Funding for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in British Columbia, plus community infrastructure streams such as the Build Communities Strong Fund.
Project based
Investment in First Nations and community led projects driving economic development, diversification and job creation across Northern Ontario.
Project based, limited annual budget
Support for Indigenous led clean energy projects in Northern Ontario, including hydro, wind and solar development.
Project based, limited annual budget
Funding for new business ideas, expansions and modernization for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Atlantic Canada.
Project based
Financial assistance for job creation and economic development for First Nations and Inuit individuals and businesses in Quebec, including women entrepreneurs.
Set per initiative
Grants and financing for Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations pursuing economic development and employment in Ontario.
Set in the current program guidelines
Conditional contributions covering the cost of internships for Indigenous people through employer partnerships in Northern Ontario.
Up to 90% of eligible intern costs
Support for community projects and Indigenous owned social enterprises and co ops operating for social or environmental benefit in Northern Ontario.
Project based
Business loan capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs across British Columbia, administered through ANTCO.
Set per application
Non repayable contributions supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs in Coast Salish territory.
Non repayable contribution, set per application
An equity match grant that helps Indigenous entrepreneurs in BC leverage other financing. Not available as a standalone grant.
Matched against other committed financing
Grants covering due diligence and advisory costs when Indigenous Nations and groups pursue equity in large resource, agriculture, technology or infrastructure projects.
Set per transaction
Blended grant and loan financing to start, acquire or expand a Red River Métis owned business in Manitoba.
Set per application
Combined grant and loan financing for Red River Métis citizens starting or expanding a small or home based business.
Up to $40,000 in total financing
Interest free repayable equity that helps Métis entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan leverage other financing, alongside separate loan and grant programs.
Set per application
Preferential financing and business development support to build Ontario Métis owned and controlled businesses.
Set per application
Business loans for Métis entrepreneurs in British Columbia who meet the identification and residency criteria.
Set per application
Equity and debt financing supporting direct Inuit participation in major economic opportunities in Nunavut.
Set per transaction
Brings Indigenous and non Indigenous investment partners together to finance Indigenous tourism infrastructure at scale.
Partnership based, fund goal of $2.6B
Annual pitch competition awarding cash prizes to Indigenous entrepreneurs, artists and business innovators across Turtle Island.
$100,000 total prize pool
Annual grant competition funding organizations with innovative solutions, including Indigenous entrepreneurship programs.
$1M grants, up to 10 awarded annually
Guide
Indigenous business grants in Canada: what to know before you apply
Straight answers to the questions Indigenous business owners ask most about grants, contribution funding and how they fit with a loan.
What grants are available for Indigenous businesses in Canada?
Indigenous businesses in Canada can draw on funding from five main sources: federal departments and regional development agencies, provincial and territorial governments, Métis and Inuit organizations, sector funds such as clean energy and tourism, and private programs and pitch competitions.
Many federal programs are delivered through Indigenous Financial Institutions rather than directly by government, so the institution serving your region is often the first call. The directory above lists the programs we track, with links to each official source.
What is the difference between a grant, a contribution agreement and a loan guarantee?
A grant is non-repayable money with relatively few conditions. A contribution agreement is funding tied to a specific project: it reimburses eligible costs, requires reporting, and is usually non-repayable, though some are conditionally repayable.
An equity contribution is a non-repayable amount that counts toward the owner's share of a project, which helps a business qualify for a loan. A loan guarantee is not cash at all: a third party guarantees part of a loan, lowering the lender's risk so the business can borrow more or on better terms.
Who qualifies for Indigenous business funding?
Most Indigenous-specific programs require the business to be majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people, commonly at least 51 percent. Some programs are limited to First Nations, Métis or Inuit applicants, or to a particular province, territory or Treaty area.
Expect to show proof, such as a status card, Métis citizenship card or Inuit beneficiary enrolment, and sometimes certification through a recognized Indigenous business registry. If verification is still in progress, start it early, because it can delay an application.
Can you combine grants with a loan?
Yes, and the order matters. Securing non-repayable funding first reduces the amount a business needs to borrow and can strengthen the equity position a lender looks for, so the loan that follows is smaller and easier to approve.
Most programs set a stacking limit on how much total government funding a single project can receive, so the plan has to be built program by program. This is the core of our grants and non-dilutive capital work.
How long does a grant application take?
It depends on the program. Some accept applications year round and decide within weeks; others run fixed intake windows and take several months to assess, approve and sign a funding agreement.
Build that time into your project plan, and avoid committing to costs before approval, because many programs will not reimburse expenses incurred before the agreement is signed.
Do you need a consultant to apply for grants?
No. Many businesses apply directly, and program officers at Indigenous Financial Institutions and agencies are a good first resource.
An advisor adds the most value when a project combines several programs with a loan, when the amounts are large, or when deadlines are tight. In those cases the sequencing, the budget and the financial package decide the outcome as much as the application itself.