
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital
Last Update: June 24, 2025
Canada
Financial support for Indigenous entrepreneurs
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $250,000
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA)
Status
Open
Overview of the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital program
Get a non-repayable contribution of up to $99,999 for business planning, acquisitions, expansion, domestic or export marketing, new product or process development, introducing new technologies and more.
Financing terms and conditions
- Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs may receive up to $99,999 in funding assistance.
- Eligible Indigenous community businesses may receive up to $250,000 in funding assistance.
Eligible projects & activities
- Launching a new Indigenous-owned business.
- Expanding an existing Indigenous-owned business.
- Acquiring an established business by Indigenous entrepreneurs or organizations.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 70,000
Expansion of Indigenous-owned eco-tourism business
$ 80,000
Launching a new Indigenous-owned organic farm
$ 60,000
Developing a digital marketing platform to support local Indigenous artisans
$ 60,000
Creating an Indigenous entrepreneurship training program
$ 70,000
Acquiring an Indigenous-owned retail store for community-made crafts
$ 50,000
Starting an Indigenous health food store
Eligibility criteria of the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital program
- The applicant must be an Indigenous individual entrepreneur or a business owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples.
- Indigenous organizations and associations, except those with charitable or religious purposes, are eligible.
- Applications must be made through Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) or Métis Capital Corporations (MCCs) across Canada.
- Eligibility may vary by IFI or MCC; consultation with the local institution is required.
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-owned businesses
- Indigenous community businesses
Who is not eligible
- Organizations and associations with charitable or religious purposes.
Eligible expenses
- Equity contributions to start, expand, or acquire a business.
- Funding to cover costs of borrowing for Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations to support lending activities.
- Support for business services related to business development.
Eligible geographic areas
- Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses located anywhere in Canada.
Eligibility criteria of the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital program
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:
- Demonstrated need and estimated budget of the business proposal
- Scope of the business proposal
- Eligibility of the applicant as an Indigenous individual or organization
How to apply to the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) — Access to Capital program
1
Identify Local IFI or MCC
- Research and locate your local Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) or Métis Capital Corporation (MCC).
- Consult the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association website to find a comprehensive list of IFIs and MCCs.
2
Initial Contact
- Reach out to the identified local IFI or MCC to express your interest in applying for the grant.
- Inquire about specific eligibility criteria and application requirements as they may vary between institutions.
3
Prepare Application
- Gather necessary documentation, which may include business plans, financial statements, and relevant certifications or permits.
- Complete any preliminary assessments or worksheets provided by the IFI or MCC.
4
Submit Application
- Submit your completed application and all supporting documents directly to your local IFI or MCC as per their submission guidelines.
- Ensure all parts of your application meet the requirements outlined by the institution.
5
Follow-Up
- Maintain communication with the IFI or MCC for any updates or requests for additional information.
- Prepare for any interviews or further assessments if required by the institution.
Additional information
- The program is administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) through Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations.
- Funding amounts may vary based on the project’s scope, demonstrated need, and estimated budget.
- The funding stream is available annually and on an ongoing basis, with no set application deadline.
- Applicants are encouraged to consult directly with their local IFI or MCC to confirm specific eligibility requirements and availability of funds.
Apply to this program

Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Supports Canadian SMEs’ export activities in new international markets

Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Supports Canadian SMEs in accessing advanced AI compute resources

Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Funding for Canadian creative industry exports

Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding to collaborate with international researchers

Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Canada
Empower Canadian artists and arts organizations to expand global connections and opportunities

Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationWage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Canada
Connect organizations with academia for research and innovation collaboration

Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Canadian Creative Export supports global market expansion for creative industries

Expert AdviceOpen
Canada
IP Advisory services for your innovations

Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Export financing for film distribution

Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Supports Canadian exporters at major international food trade shows