Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Technology Adoption

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

Innovation and Business Development Fund (IBDF)

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Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Innovation and Business Development Fund is focused on investments to grow and diversify Newfoundland and Labradorโ€™s oil and gas supply and service capabilities. The fund provides funding to commercial and non-commercial applicants for business development, emerging technologies and industry diversification. The fund supports The Way Forward on Oil and Gas - Advance 2030: A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry.

Comments on Funding:

Project funding will normally not exceed 50% as a non-repayable contribution.
Other Provincial Government funding is ineligible as project financing (i.e., no duplication of provincial funding sources will be permitted).
Multi-year commitments may be considered based on the business case for the investment and are subject to the available budget and additional approval requirements. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • non-commercial: industry associations, business development organizations, postsecondary education institutions and other support groups in Newfoundland and Labrador involved in oil and gas projects,
  • commercial: registered businesses, primarily small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), with operations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant should contact an IET or TCAR office in your region prior to developing a proposal, 

2

Applicant must submit a detailed proposal and a completed application with supporting documentation to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII) office in their area.

Documentation Needed: 

Applicant must submit:

  • a detailed proposal and a completed application - both are required,
  •  their latest financial statements (commercial projects only),
  • the qualifications/resumes of key project management personnel,
  • letters of support (financial and non-financial),
  • financial projections (commercial projects only),
  • cost estimates for the purchase of specialized equipment, building renovations, and purpose-built supply and service infrastructure,
  • any information or resource materials referenced in the proposal,
  • copies of required permits, licenses and/or environmental approvals,
  • copies of relevant contracts and agreements,
  • copies of any detailed design work, engineering or other studies that support the proposal.

Other Things to Note:

The Departments of Industry, Energy and Technology, and Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation are co-administering the fund, ensuring coordination with the programs of the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation. The fund supports The Way Forward on Oil and Gas - Advance 2030: A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry.  

Program Contact:

Innovation and Business Development Fund

IBDF-Mar-2021.pdf

Innovation and Business Development Fund Applicant Guide

App_Comm_IBDF_Fillable_PDF.pdf

App_Non_comm_IBDF_Fillable_PDF.pdf

Agriculture Business Advancer

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Amount:

$300,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Agriculture Business Advancer program supports the adoption of new technologies, processes or specialized equipment for the purpose of business growth.

Comments on Funding:

Applicants are eligible for 30% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $300,000.
No more than 100% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost incurred and paid for by the applicant, regardless of source. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

31 December, 2022

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a Nova Scotia farm,
  • be currently and properly registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act,
  • be at least 19 years of age and actively farming in the program year,
  • have generated an annual eligible gross commodity income of $1,000,000,
  • be planning expansion and growth,
  • propose large initiatives with an estimated cost of no less than $750,000.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must contact the PBRM office to receive an application package, 

2

Applicant must complete the application package and submit it to the PBRM office.

Documentation Needed: 

Applicants must submit:

  1. 1
    Program Claim Form;
  2. 2
    copies of all invoices for eligible project costs,
  3. 3
    proof of payment for each invoice,
  4. 4
    the Program Funding Registration, if they are new to agriculture funding programs.

Other Things to Note:

There is limited funding for the Agriculture Business Advancer Program. To request an application package, contact the Programs and Business Risk Management office.

Program Contact:

Agriculture Business Advancer Program

Agriculture_Business_Advancer_Guidelines.pdf

Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program

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Amount:

$100,000

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program provides funding to businesses for a cost-shared grant to make accessibility-related improvements. Improvements can be for clients and customers, for employees, or both.

There are five categories of funding:

  1. 1
    Built Environment for removing physical barriers for persons to access business services, by installing ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers, and other projects,
  2. 2
    Accessible Communications Services to ensure that all customers, clients, and employees can access information related to a business,
  3. 3
    Assistive Devices to ensure that employees and consumers who are person with disabilities have the devices they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business,
  4. 4
    Universal Design Capacity Building for training in the field of Universal Design, both for technical services professionals and for persons with disabilities wishing to better understand its value.
  5. 5
    Accessible Transportation to provide support for businesses to improve access to transportation services.

Comments on Funding:

Maximum grant amounts available per year is $100,000 per applicant.
Funding is up to 2/3 of eligible expenses, to a maximum of:

  • $50,000 for Built Environment and Accessibility Certification,
  • $30,000 for Accessible Communication and Information,
  • $30,000 for Assistive Devices,
  • $20,000 for Accessible Transportation projects.

Funding available for Universal Design Capacity Building is up to 1/2 of eligible expenses.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Next deadlines to be determined

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • a business that operates in Nova Scotia,
  • registered as a for-profit entity with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks, including locally owned franchises,
  • open for use by all community members at reasonable rates and reasonable times and not reserved to those belonging by way of a closed membership or other means,

Application Steps:

1

is encouraged to contact the Business ACCESS-Ability program officer, if he has any questions, 

2

must submit the application form by mail, email, or fax,

3

may apply under one or more categories.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the application form,
  • description of business and description of existing place of business,
  • documented use of place of business,
  • description of proposed project,
  • copy of lease agreement or proof of ownership,
  • information about other grants,
  • proof of insurance and proof of registration as a for-profit entity,
  • detailed estimates,
  • proof of skilled labour,
  • proof of need for assistive devices,
  • site photos (before&after),
  • drawings, sketches, maps, if available,
  • a final report within 30 days of completing your project.

Other Things to Note: 

The Business ACCESS-Ability program deadline for 2022-2023 fiscal year was July 29, 2022. Check the website for updates.

Program Contact:

Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program

ba-guidelines-business.pdf