Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Indigenous Peoples

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.

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants & Loan

Description:

The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of:

  • interest-free repayable contributions for up to 50% of eligible costs for eligible businesses;
  • non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of eligible costs for not-for profit organizations.
    Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

The JGF has a continuous intake process, meaning that applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. However, the program is set to run for three years, with an expected end date of March 31, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing and evaluation.

Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

 Under the initiative, RDAs may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous clients. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

  • businesses, including co-operatives,
  • not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners.

Successful applicants for the JGF will be selected based on a range of criteria, including:

  • The ability of the project to create jobs and support economic growth in the region
  • The degree to which the project aligns with the objectives of the JGF, including transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs across Canada
  • The extent to which the project demonstrates innovation, collaboration, and community engagement
    The feasibility and sustainability of the project, including the capacity of the applicant to manage and deliver the project effectively

Among the program's eligible activities are activities that foster an inclusive recovery, including those that support businesses owned or majority-led by under-represented groups, such as Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, women, youth, LGBTQ2, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and members of official language minority communities.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must consult the applicant guide

2

Applicant must fill out the Jobs and Growth Fund application form online

3

Applicant must send the form through the application for financial assistance page or by mail to the ACOA regional office in your province.

Documentation Needed: 

For-profit applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

  1. 1
    incorporation documents and information on ownership (names and percentage of ownership),
  2. 2
    financial statements (current and last two years),
  3. 3
    research and development (r&d) project plan, business plan and/or marketing plan,
  4. 4
    supplier quotes,
  5. 5
    copies of relevant permits and licences,
  6. 6
    other relevant documents (specify).

Not-for-profit applicants and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

  1. 1
    constituting / incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
  2. 2
    financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
  3. 3
    description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
  4. 4
    HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
  5. 5
    one of the following two items is required: research and development (r&d) project plan or detailed project description, including milestones, costs, financing, key partnerships established and evidence of support from the community,
  6. 6
    supplier quotes,
  7. 7
    copies of relevant permits and license's,
  8. 8
    other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

  1. 1
    The JGF will provide $700 million over three years (2021-2022 to 2023-2024) across Canada to support business financing. This support for regional recovery and stimulus will position local economies for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
  2. 2
    Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis until such time as the funding is fully allocated.
  3. 3
    The fund, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs), provides $700 million nationally over three years, which includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria.
  4. 4
    In Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is investing $70 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
  5. 5
    Date modified: 2022-03-15.

Program Contact:

Jobs and Growth Fund

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE JOBS AND GROWTH FUND

JOBS AND GROWTH FUND APPLICANT GUIDE

Atlantic Fisheries Fund

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is intended to help the fish and seafood sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally. Its aim is to bring high value, high quality and sustainable products to markets at home and around the world.

It supports: innovation to encourage new products and technologies, infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies, and science partnerships between industry, academia, and other research institutions to improve knowledge. 

Comments on Funding:

No other details available.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • be indigenous groups,
  • be commercial enterprises, including fishers, aquaculturists and seafood processors,
  • be universities and academics,
  • be industry associations and other non-profits,
  • be other organizations, such as research institutions and provincial crown corporations,
  • reside in a participating province,
  • be active in or support activities related to the fish and seafood harvesting, processing or aquaculture sectors,
  • demonstrate maximum economic benefits accruing to the Atlantic Region.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must complete the application form,

2

Applicants must complete the appropriate proposal in both paper and electronic format (on a memory stick), depending on the area of interest (innovation, infrastructure or science partnerships),

3

Applicants must prepare all supporting documents,

4

Applicants must submit the above-mentioned documents by mail or courier.

Documentation Needed: 

Commercial applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

  1. 1
    one of the following plans/proposals: complete business plan, research and development (r&d) project plan, science partnership research proposal,
  2. 2
    incorporation documents,
  3. 3
    financial statements (current and last two years),
  4. 4
    financial projections (three years; only required for projects over $100k),
  5. 5
    supplier quotes,
  6. 6
    copies of relevant permits and licences (e.g. fishing licences or aquaculture permits)
  7. 7
     other relevant document (specify). 

Not-for-profit and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents: 

  1. 1
    one of the following plans/proposals: complete business plan, research and development (r&d) project plan, science partnership research proposal,
  2. 2
    constituting / incorporating documents,
  3. 3
    financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
  4. 4
    hst rebate information (i.e. rebate rate),
  5. 5
    supplier quotes,
  6. 6
    copies of relevant permits and licenses,
  7. 7
    other relevant document (specify).

Other Things to Note:

  1. 1
    The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is a contribution program funded jointly by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. It will invest over $400 million over 7 years to support Canada’s fish and seafood sector. The federal government will provide 70% of the funding, and 30% will come from participating provinces and territories. The national component of the fund is called the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, and has a separate application process.
  2. 2
    Applications will be accepted until all available funding for the fiscal year has been allocated to projects. Funding will become available again in the next fiscal year.
  3. 3
    Date modified: 2022-10-12 – Source 1.

Program Contact:

Atlantic Fisheries Fund

Apply to the Atlantic Fisheries Fund

form-formulaire-eng.pdf

Business Scale-up and Productivity under Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Business Scale-up and Productivity helps businesses speed up their growth so they can be more productive, compete on the world stage and reach new markets. Funding can be used to:

  1. 1
    scale up and expand;
  2. 2
    make the most of new technologies;
  3. 3
    improve productivity;
  4. 4
    create new products and find new markets. 

Comments on Funding:

Repayment contributions are unsecured and interest-free. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicant must be:

  • sole proprietorships;
  • partnerships;
  • social enterprises;
  • incorporated companies;
  • corporations or co-operatives;
  • Indigenous-owned businesses;
  • all other types of enterprises;
  • non-profit organizations that offer services to businesses;
  • located in Atlantic Canada.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must contact their nearest ACOA office to discuss their project;

2

Applicant must complete and submit the Application for Financial Assistance form.

Documentation Needed: 

For-profit applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

  1. 1
    incorporation documents and information on ownership names and percentage of ownership
  2. 2
    financial statements (current and last two years),
  3. 3
    R&D project plan, business plan and/or marketing plan,
  4. 4
    supplier quotes,
  5. 5
    copies of relevant permits and licenses,
  6. 6
    other relevant documents (specify).

Not-for-profit applicants and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

  1. 1
    constituting/ incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
  2. 2
    financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
  3. 3
    description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
  4. 4
    HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
  5. 5
    one of the following two items is required: (R&D) project plan or detailed project description, including milestones, costs, financing, key partnerships, established evidence of support from the community,
  6. 6
    supplier quotes,
  7. 7
    copies of relevant permits and licenses,
  8. 8
    other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

Date modified: 2022-07-04

Program Contact:

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation

Application for financial assistance

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF)

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Amount:

$8,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF) provides funding to entrepreneurs/existing businesses and communities to support business and community economic development planning in the First Nation communities of New Brunswick.  

Comments on Funding:

Funding for Community Economic Development is up to 50% of total planning costs, not to exceed $8,000.
Funding for Business/Entrepreneurship Development is up to 50% of total planning costs, not to exceed $4,000.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must be:

  • an entrepreneur,
  • an existing business, 
  • a community,
  • Indigenous people/business across New Brunswick.

Application Steps:

1

The applicant must complete and submit the Online Application Form.

Documentation Needed:

 No specific documentation has been identified.

Other Things to Note:

The project has limited funding and applications will be assessed on a first come, first serve basis.

Program Contact:

JEDI Aboriginal Development Fund (JADF)