How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $75000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program?

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program is funded by Futurpreneur Canada

What are Black Entrepreneur Startup Program's eligibility criterias?

Business must be majority Black-owned (over 50% for two partners; over 25% for more than two partners). Business must be operating for 24 months or less, or not yet operational.

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program

Last Update: July 30, 2025

Canada

Supporting young Black entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship and resources

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $75,000
Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Other Support

Expert Advice

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Futurpreneur Canada

Program status

Open

Overview of the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program program

The Black Entrepreneur Startup Program provides up to $75,000 in flexible, non-dilutive loan funding to support young Black entrepreneurs in launching or acquiring a business. The program also offers free mentorship and access to a national network and resources to help eligible participants establish and grow their companies.

Financing terms and conditions

Flexible loan funding of up to $75,000, supported by BDC, for starting or purchasing a business (conditions apply).
Additional loan opportunities available after two years for eligible businesses.

Eligible projects & activities

Launching a new business owned predominantly by Black entrepreneurs.
Purchasing an existing business by eligible Black entrepreneurs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 69,000

Starting a tech education hub for youth and coding workshops

$ 71,000

Acquisition of a mobile hair studio serving underserved communities

$ 67,000

Launching an e-commerce platform for African art and fashion

$ 69,000

Purchase of an existing cleaning company with updated equipment

$ 69,000

Launching a food delivery service featuring Afro-Canadian cuisine

$ 69,000

Opening a Caribbean fusion restaurant with local suppliers

Eligibility criteria of the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program program

The applicant must identify as Black. Applicants who also identify as Indigenous are welcome.
The applicant must have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency and be physically residing in Canada.
The age of the applicant must be between 18 and 39 years old at the time of application.
The business must be either not yet operational or operating full-time for 24 months or less.
The business must be majority Black-owned (over 50% if two owners; at least 25% if more than two owners).

Who is eligible?

Startups launched by Black entrepreneurs
Businesses operational for 24 months or less and majority-owned by Black entrepreneurs

Eligible expenses

Startup or business acquisition costs covered by a flexible loan of up to $75,000.
Access to mentorship and business resource tools to support business growth.

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses located anywhere in Canada

How to apply to the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program program

Verify eligibility criteria

Identify as Black or as Black and Indigenous
Be aged between 18 and 39 at the time of application
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and reside in Canada

Prepare your application documents

Prepare a comprehensive business plan
Prepare 24-month cash flow projections
Gather personal and business contact information

Submit online application

Complete the online application form on the Futurpreneur website
Provide required personal, business, and eligibility information
Indicate identification as Black (and/or Indigenous if applicable)

Wait for application review

Application is reviewed by Futurpreneur team
You may be contacted for additional details or to clarify documents

Receive application decision

Receive notification of acceptance or refusal

Additional information

The program includes up to two years of free mentorship for successful applicants.
Participants gain access to a nationwide network of Black entrepreneurs and business management resources.
There are opportunities for organizations to become community partners and help deliver resources and mentorship to Black entrepreneurs.
Dedicated team members are available across Canada to support Black entrepreneurs through the program.

Apply to this program