Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Business Development Corporation - Aboriginal

Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP), administered by Ulnooweg, offers non-repayable business contributions to individual Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community owned businesses. Some of the eligible expenses for ABDP support are: business planning, establishment and operating costs, business acquisitions and expansions, local, domestic or export oriented marketing initiatives, new product or process development, adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness, financial services, business support, business-related training and mentoring services. 

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a non-repayable business contribution as following:

  1. 1
    up to 75% for development of business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies,
  2. 2
    up to 40% for establishment, expansion or acquisition,
  3. 3
    up to 60% for marketing initiatives,
  4. 4
    up to 90% for business support and project related management.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

  • entrepreneurs of Canadian Aboriginal status or non-status, Metis or Inuit Heritage (on or off reserve, living and operating their businesses within the Atlantic provinces,
  • community owned businesses,
  • Aboriginal financial organizations,
  • development corporations.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must contact Ulnooweg for further details by submitting the Client Inquiry Form.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified

Other Things to Note:

The majority of ABFP funding goes towards small and medium-sized businesses.

Program Contact:

Aboriginal Business Financing Program - Ulnooweg

Additional Resources:

As an Indigenous entrepreneur, you have access to a range of resources to help you succeed. Here are some additional resources that can help you grow your business and take it to the next level.

Business Development Support

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) provides a range of business development support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs. These services include business planning, financial management, marketing, and more. NADF also offers a range of financing options, including the Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP). For more information, visit the NADF website.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is an important part of building a successful business. The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) provides networking opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs through its Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP). The AEP offers a range of services, including business planning, financing, and more. For more information, visit the NACCA website.

Quality Improvement Assistance

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  • This program is currently closed.

Amount:

$16,000

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Quality Improvement Assistance provides support to Prince Edward Island companies to hire a professional to create or improve a system for quality improvement within the company or provide a certified quality education program for management and employees.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 40% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $16,000. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a Prince Edward Island company organized as a sole proprietorship, partnership, cooperative or limited liability,
  • have a well-developed business and marketing plan,
  • have manufactures, processes, or provide exportable services in one of the following sectors: food development, manufacturing, information and communication technology, bioscience. First-of-its-kind exportable services in other sectors may be considered.

Retail and consumer services businesses are not eligible for assistance through this service.

Application Steps:

The applicant must:

1

submit the completed application form before any financial or legal commitment is made on the project,

2

accept the letter of offer forwarded to him which shall create a contract between Innovation PEI and the applicant.

​Only one application per business will be accepted per calendar year.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the online application form,
  • a business and a marketing plan project,
  • a feasibility or market study,
  • a competitive analysis,
  • a Resume,
  • the consultant’s proposal(s) and the study’s terms of reference, if the application concerns a study.

Other Things to Note:

The program is not listed among Innovation PEI programs. 

Program Contact:

All Programs - Innovation PEI

Professional Services Assistance

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  • This program is currently closed.

Amount:

$1,000

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Professional Services Assistance provides a non-repayable contribution to Prince Edward Island small businesses to hire a professional for business development services.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 50% of the cost to engage a professional business consultant to provide: business and marketing planning, not to exceed $1,000, or management skills training, not to exceed $500. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be Prince Edward Island entrepreneurs,
  • have limited business development experience,
  • require guidance to develop a business/marketing plan or obtain training in management skills.

Application Steps:

1

should meet with an Innovation PEI representative to determine if the activity could be eligible for funding,

2

must submit the online application form or the pdf printed version before any financial or legal commitment is made on the project.

Other Things to Note:

The program is not listed among Innovation PEI programs. 

Program Contact:

All Programs - Innovation PEI

General Loans

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Amount:

$250,000.00

Type of Program:

Loan

Description:

Ulnooweg's General Loans provides support to Aboriginal business owners operating and residing in Atlantic Canada and to Atlantic Canada Aboriginal organizations for new business start ups, purchase of existing businesses, expansion, working capital, refinancing and more. 

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to $250,000.
The repayment schedules are flexible (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual or seasonal).

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

  • Aboriginal business owners operating and residing in Atlantic Canada,
  • Atlantic Canada Aboriginal organizations,
  • new business startups or existing businesses.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must contact Ulnooweg for further details.

Program Contact:

Loans - Ulnooweg

Youth Loans

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Loan

Description:

Ulnooweg's Youth Loans supports Aboriginal business owners operating and residing in Atlantic Canada between the ages of 18 – 35 for any business need. 

Comments on Funding:

The first $15,000 is at a fixed interest rate of 8.5% maximum with a five year repayment term.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must be:

  • Aboriginal business owners,
  • operating and residing in Atlantic Canada,
  • between the ages of 18 – 35

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must contact Ulnooweg for further details.

Program Contact:

Loans - Ulnooweg