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Where: Alberta · Who: anyone · Need: Grow my business
The federal Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program gives up to $99,999 that you do not pay back, for one person’s business (up to $250,000 for a community-owned business). It comes with a loan from your IFI. You apply to your local IFI (or Métis Capital Corporation), not to Ottawa. No deadline.
Lenders in Alberta. Ask the one near you if you are in their area:
See all IFIs, with phone numbersOpen Lesser-known
Who runs it: Alberta Indian Investment Corporation
Who can get it: Status First Nations (Alberta resident 1+ yr). With AIIC loan; ~10% cash equity; business must yield $20,000+/yr owner income
What it gives: Non-repayable grant
Amount: Up to 30% (expansion) / 40% (start-up) of costs, max $99,999
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc.
Who can get it: Métis, Inuit and non-status Indigenous (Alberta). Start, buy, expand; credit score ≥690
What it gives: Loans
Amount: $5,000 to $1,000,000 (up to 90% of project)
Call 780-452-7951Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Prairies Economic Development Canada
Who can get it: Indigenous-led businesses (also open to others). SMEs scaling innovative goods/services
What it gives: Repayable contribution
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Open to others too.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Prairies Economic Development Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. AB, SK, MB
What it gives: Contributions
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Not Indigenous-only.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Prairies Economic Development Canada
Who can get it: Indigenous-led businesses, communities, not-for-profits. Grow, scale, adopt technology; build services for Indigenous entrepreneurs
What it gives: Repayable (business) / non-repayable (non-profit)
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: No application form needed first – contact PrairiesCan. Also funds Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) offices.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Delivered by däna Näye Ventures, AIIC, Waubetek, Akaitcho BDC and others
Who can get it: Indigenous women (majority-owned business). Any size business
What it gives: Loan
Amount: däna Näye: up to $50,000; AIIC: up to $50,000; Waubetek: up to $50,000 (package ≤ $100,000)
Good to know: Ask each lender how it works with the IWE micro-loan.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Agriculture/agri-food individuals & businesses
What it gives: Free advisory & referral
Amount: Free
Good to know: 1-866-367-8506.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada via NACCA, IFIs and Métis Capital Corporations
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Start-up, expansion, acquisition; individuals and community-owned businesses
What it gives: Non-repayable contribution (with IFI loan)
Amount: Up to $99,999 individuals; up to $250,000 community-owned businesses (per NACCA IEP page)
Good to know: Apply through your local IFI/Métis Capital Corp, not ISC directly. No deadline.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Business Development Bank of Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Businesses operating ≥12 months; Canadian citizen/PR
What it gives: Loan (preferred rate, no fees)
Amount: Up to $350,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Centre for Native Nation Builders (Shopify as platform)
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Start-up to scale, e-commerce
What it gives: Training, mentorship, digital tools
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Successor to Shopify's discontinued Build Native.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Canada Council for the Arts
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Artists, cultural carriers, groups, orgs
What it gives: Grants (travel, small-scale, short/long-term projects)
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Useful for artisans/creative businesses.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: CCIB
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs (free for members)
What it gives: Training, templates, grant listings
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Export Development Canada
Who can get it: Indigenous-owned/led exporters. Exporters
What it gives: Guarantees, credit insurance, equity
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Farm Credit Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit, economic development corps, communities. On- and off-reserve agriculture, food, harvesting
What it gives: Loans
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada)
Who can get it: Indigenous majority-owned businesses. Exporters
What it gives: Export funding, trade missions, advice
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Continuous intake.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Businesses, organizations, communities
What it gives: Free single-window referral to federal programs
Amount: Free
Good to know: Email navigator@sac-isc.gc.ca; reply in ~3 business days.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA with BDC Capital (fund manager), federal & private investors
Who can get it: Indirect – lends to IFIs who lend to First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Growth-stage businesses via IFIs
What it gives: Debt capital to IFIs (evergreen fund)
Amount: Fund of ~$153M committed (not a per-business amount)
Good to know: Entrepreneurs access it through their IFI.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Indigenous Screen Office
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Screen-based creators/companies
What it gives: Grants
Amount: Amount not stated
Apply by: Nov 25, 2026
Good to know: Production Program for All deadline Nov 25, 2026.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Mitacs (non-profit, federally funded)
Who can get it: Indigenous-owned businesses, Indigenous governments, Indigenous-led non-profits, or Indigenous interns. R&D internship, min 4 months
What it gives: Internship cost share
Amount: Partner pays 25%; Mitacs funds up to 75%
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs
What it gives: Loans via IFIs
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA / IFI network
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs and community businesses
What it gives: Non-repayable contribution
Amount: Up to $99,999 individual; up to $250,000 community-owned
Good to know: Same money as AEP Access to Capital; entry point is your IFI.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Tourism businesses
What it gives: Financing & support via IFIs
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Women; business >50% owned & controlled by Indigenous women
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant + coaching
Amount: Up to $25,000 total (typ. 50% loan / 45% grant / 5% equity – per IFI guidelines)
Good to know: Delivered by each IFI; terms vary slightly.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: National Research Council Canada
Who can get it: Indigenous-owned/led SMEs (not Indigenous-only). Incorporated, for-profit, ≤500 employees, technology innovation
What it gives: Advisory + non-repayable funding
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Open to all small businesses, including Indigenous-owned ones.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Who can get it: Indigenous-led ventures (Canada & US). Seed to Series B, scalable
What it gives: Venture equity
Amount: First investments usually $250,000 to $3 million
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: RBC
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, businesses, communities
What it gives: Banking, capital, partners (e.g., Futurpreneur IESP)
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Scotiabank
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, bands, economic development corps
What it gives: Banking, financing
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: TD Bank Group
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Individuals, businesses, communities
What it gives: Banking, financing
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
These are not grants. They help Indigenous businesses win contracts.
Open Not free (membership fee)
Who runs it: Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (non-profit)
Who can get it: Indigenous (51%+ owned, managed, controlled); also visible minorities. For-profit Canadian businesses
What it gives: Certification (access to corporate buyers)
Amount: Not free (membership fee)
Good to know: Not free: there is a yearly membership fee. Free options: the federal Indigenous Business Directory and CCIB Certified Indigenous Business.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: CCIB
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Business ≥51% Indigenous-owned & controlled
What it gives: Certification, procurement marketplace
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA (FNPA)
Who can get it: First Nations. Communities & businesses
What it gives: Group purchasing / procurement savings
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: Indigenous Services Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Business ≥51% Indigenous-owned and controlled
What it gives: Access to set-aside federal contracts (5% federal target)
Amount: n/a (contract access)
Good to know: Register at services.sac-isc.gc.ca/REA-IBD; PSIB contracts need ≥33% Indigenous content.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
These are closed right now. Check their page for the next time they open.
Closed
Who runs it: Siksika Nation
Who can get it: Siksika Nation members (51%+ owned). Start, expand or acquire a business
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Up to $15,000 initial + one final additional up to $10,000
Good to know: The 2026 deadline (May 15, 2026) has passed.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Travel Alberta (Government of Alberta)
Who can get it: Indigenous tourism businesses eligible (not Indigenous-only). New or improved visitor experiences
What it gives: Non-repayable
Amount: Product Development $75K–$500K (recipient contribution); Rural Development $50K–$150K; Events & Festivals $25K–$150K
Good to know: All intakes were closed when we checked.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Who can get it: First Nations, Métis, Inuit. Agriculture and food-system projects
What it gives: Non-repayable
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Ended (ran 2018 to 2023). Try the AAFC Indigenous Pathfinder Service instead.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: BDC
Who can get it: Women, Indigenous, Black entrepreneurs. ≥51% owned; revenue <$3M
What it gives: Loan
Amount: Up to $350,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Trade Commissioner Service
Who can get it: Indigenous-owned/led SMEs (not Indigenous-only). 3–500 FTE, $300K–$100M revenue
What it gives: Non-repayable, up to 50% of export costs
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: The 2026-27 intake is closed.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (formerly CCAB), presented by LNG Canada
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Indigenous women-owned businesses
What it gives: Grant (lottery)
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: 2026 closed June 22, 2026.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: ITAC
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Tourism businesses
What it gives: Marketing, training, funding notices
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: Programs suspended (2026)
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Who can get it: First Nations, Métis, Inuit tourism operators. All ITAC programs
What it gives: n/a
Amount: n/a
Good to know: Programs suspended (2026). A federal note (May 15, 2026) says ITAC paused all programs and services until further notice.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Closed
Who runs it: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), federally funded
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Indigenous-majority-owned tourism businesses
What it gives: Non-repayable grant
Amount: Up to $25,000
Good to know: Programs suspended (2026)
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open means we did not see it closed when we checked. Always check dates and rules on the official page.