Financing for Specific Demographic Groups

As a business owner, if you are a member of a specific demographic group, you may be eligible for specific financing programs from both the government and the private sector.

Financing for aboriginal peoples

• Aboriginal Funding Tool
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1227/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Looking for money for your business? If you are Aboriginal, this funding tool can help you find grants and loans to start a business or grow the one you already have.
• Aboriginal Business Canada
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/961/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Obtain financing to start or expand your Aboriginal business.
• Alberta Indian Investment Corporation
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2451/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Are you an established or budding Aboriginal entrepreneur seeking financing and business support services? If so, learn about direct business loans, equity investments and other services available to your business.
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs NextStep Program for Aboriginal Women
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2483/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Access loans of up to $10,000 if you are an Aboriginal woman in Alberta who owns a business or who would like to start one.
• Apeetogosan Métis Development Inc.
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2448/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Are you an established or budding Métis entrepreneur seeking financing and business support services? If so, learn about direct business loans, equity investments and business services.
• BDC Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/937/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financing to help aboriginal business people start or grow their business
• Settlement Investment Corporation
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2470/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Are you an established or budding Aboriginal entrepreneur seeking financing and business support services? Are you located in an Alberta Métis settlement? SIC supports Métis businesses through direct business loans and services, such as business plan development and training.

Financing for immigrants

• Business Immigration Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1959/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Interested in moving to Canada to start a business? Find out if you qualify for immigration as an entrepreneur.

Financing for persons with disabilities

• Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2702/
  Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
  Business loans to help your business reach its full potential.
• Fundability Loan
  
  http://momentum.org/programs/business/fundability
  Are you a Calgary entrepreneur with permanent disabilities who cannot access traditional financing? If so, this program will help you start or expand your small business, and help establish or repair your credit history.

Financing for rural and northern residents

• Community Futures Loan Program - Western Provinces
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1066/
  Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
  Get funding for starting or growing a business in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
• Find the FCC loan that’s right for you
  
  http://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/Products/Lending/loanselector_e.asp
  Discover the best financing option for your farm or agribusiness with this online tool.

Financing for women

• Women’s Enterprise Initiative Loan Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1081/
  Applies to: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia
  If you are a woman living in Western Canada, you can get money to start, grow or buy a business, as well as consulting services and business training.
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs NextStep Program for Aboriginal Women
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2483/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Access loans of up to $10,000 if you are an Aboriginal woman in Alberta who owns a business or who would like to start one.

Financing for youth

• CYBF Start-Up Loan
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1216/
  Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Prince Edward Island
  Are you between 18 and 34 years old? If you are a Canadian resident with a good business idea, you can get $15,000 or more to start or run a business full-time.
• CYBF Succession Financing
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1005/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Want to buy an existing business but don’t have the money? If you are a Canadian resident, between 18-34 years old, you may be eligible for a loan of up to $15,000.
• CYBF’s Expansion Financing Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1211/
  Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan
  You can get $10,000 to grow your business, if you are younger than 35 years old and have received a start-up loan from the Canada Youth Business Foundation within the last three to five years.