Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) Grant Program

The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) is a grant program for 2023-2024 that will provide access to the following:

  • business development training
  • culturally responsive and tailored business coaching
  • networking opportunities
  • a one-time grant of $10,000 to support Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs

Deadline to apply is December 8, 2023

Learn More About RAISE

Foodpreneur Lab

If you are a Black food entrepreneur and have been dreaming about having access to guided, expert, personalized support to develop or scale your food product then access Foodpreneur Lab’s Advisor-Led Start or Scale Path is the opportunity you have been waiting for.

They have very limited spaces so please do not miss this opportunity and ensure you have your application submitted by the deadline.

Learn More About the Foodpreneur Lab

Black Boys Code Web Development Boot Camps

Are you a Black Ontarian between the ages of 18 - 29, who may be interested in a career in web development? Black Boys Code is partnering with Lighthouse Labs to deliver an ongoing series of 12 week Web Development Bootcamps for this pilot project. This intensive and comprehensive Bootcamp normally has a program fee of $13,000. However, due to generous funding from the Ontario Government, they are able to offer full scholarships for 200 students to participate in this program over the next year.

Learn More About Black Boys Code

BDC Black Entrepreneurs Resources

BDC supports small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice.

Learn More BDC Black Entrepreneurs Resources

Blueprint: Backing BIPOC Businesses™

Blueprint: Backing BIPOC Businesses™, is a mentorship and grant program designed to support the advancement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) business owners across Canada.

In 2021, 100 Blueprint recipients will take part in a comprehensive mentorship program designed to provide the tools, resources and community to help BIPOC entrepreneurs thrive – plus, recipients will receive a $10,000 CAD grant to help take their business to the next level.

Blueprint is powered by the DMZ, in consultation with BIPOC-focused community organizations across Canada. The Blueprint mentorship program is made possible by a grant from the American Express Foundation. Additionally, American Express Canada is contributing $1,000,000 in grants to be disbursed to the 100 selected participants.

Learn More About Blueprint

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program - Futurpreneur

Are you a Black entrepreneur aged 18-39 looking to launch a new business? Check out Futurpreneur’s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program! Funded by RBC, with additional loan financing provided by BDC, this exciting new program offers up to $60,000 in startup financing, plus mentorship and resources, to help you kickstart your business journey.

Learn More About Futurpreneur's Black Entrepreneur Startup Program

Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program - Futurpreneur

At Futurpreneur Canada, we support Indigenous entrepreneurs aged 18-39, helping them launch or buy their own business. With up to $60,000* in financing, an expert mentor for up to two years, and access to resources, we’re here to help young entrepreneurs bring their business plan to life.

Learn More About Futurpreneur's Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program

BIPOC TV & Film

HireBIPOC.ca is an industry-wide roster of Canadian BIPOC crew and creatives working in screen-based industries. All self-identified BIPOC working in all areas of the industry, across all experience/education levels, are encouraged to join.

Search BIPOC Database

Learn More About BIPOC TV and Film

Black Leaders of Tomorrow

The Black Leaders of Tomorrow program is our youth entrepreneurship mentoring program. We match mentors with youth who identify as Black and who want to become entrepreneurs. Launched in 2018, the program helps youth hone their business skills and provides an opportunity to learn and grow year-round with the support of a Black professional.

Contact Roots at 905-455-6789 or visit: https://rootscs.org/​

​Learn More About Roots' Black Leaders of Tomorrow Program

​Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program in Partnership with RedBird Circle Inc.

Based on traditional knowledge and created in partnership with Indigenous experts, this program aims to build career competencies, eliminate barriers, facilitate partnerships and mentorships, and build pathways to success for Indigenous entrepreneurs and change-makers.

Learn More About the Indigenous Entrepreneur Program

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.

The Government of Canada has announced that the Federation of African-Canadian Economics (F.A.C.E.), a coalition of prominent Black-led business and community organizations, will manage the Government's investment in the Loan Fund.

​Learn More About the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Black Innovation Programs (BIP)

The first-in-Canada programs will provide startups led by Black entrepreneurs with the strengthening support of a top university-based incubator network, as well as additional programming, mentorship, events, and connections to industry, capital and an alumni network, to support their success and growth.

Learn More About Black Innovation Programs

Indigenous Business Directory (IBD)​

The Indigenous Business Directory is designed to assist and support Indigenous businesses in the pursuit of business opportunities, including federal procurement. This directory is a resource available to all levels of government, as well as the private sector to identify Indigenous businesses.

Learn More About the Indigenous Business Directory

Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund

The Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund is a micro-finance program open to Indigenous women-owned businesses who may lack access to conventional financing.

Learn More About Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund

ICON Talent Partners

ICON Talent Partners (“ICON”) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, training, mentoring and exposing top diverse talent to high impact sectors, where they are often underrepresented. Namely, we train and help place talent in areas such as investment banking, asset management, corporate law, venture capital & private equity as well as tech start-ups. Our target demographic is students and young professionals who identify as visible minorities with an emphasis on Black, Hispanic and Indigenous talent.

Learn More About ICON Talent Partners

Rise Asset

Provides microfinancing and mentorship to entrepreneurs living with mental health and addiction challenges interested in pursuing self-employment. Business loans, leases, and other investments are offered depending on the stage of development, needs and capacity of each business.

Learn More About Rise Asset

Access Community Capital

Access offers loans to people with poor or no credit, no collateral, or anyone unable to get a loan from a major bank. They use a character-based lending model, which means they consider your character, skills and motivation when you apply.

Learn More About Access Community Capital

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital

The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program provides access to capital and business opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada.

Learn More About Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program

BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Banking

BDC are the only financial institution in Canada dedicated to entrepreneurs. They offer a unique Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan of up to $350,000 to start or grow a business, whether you operate on or off reserve.

Learn More About BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Banking

Canadian Council for Indigenous Businesses

CCAB builds bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, businesses, and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major business awards, and national events.

Learn More About the Canadian Council for Indigenous Businesses

Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship

The Canadian Center for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. is dedicated to the promotion and growth of Aboriginal Entrepreneurship in Canada.

Learn More About the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship

Native Women’s Association of Canada

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.

Learn More About Native Women's Association of Canada

BlackNorth

The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset.

Learn More About BlackNorth​