CDEM — Financing
Last Update: July 22, 2025
MN, Canada
Loans for Manitoba Francophone entrepreneurs
CDEM — Financing at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : February 9, 2024
- Closing date : March 25, 2024
Financing Type
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM)
Program status
Closed
Overview of the CDEM — Financing program
Loans for Francophones to finance start-up, expansion and creation of an export division.
Eligible projects & activities
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 90,000
Creating an organic farm startup, owned by Francophones
$ 60,000
Starting a Francophone language and cultural center
$ 75,000
Expansion of a Francophone-owned bakery to diversify products
$ 150,000
Expanding a Francophone-owned tech startup to include AI solutions
$ 105,000
Creating an export division for a woodworking company
$ 120,000
Establishing a new IT consultancy firm by Francophones
Eligibility criteria of the CDEM — Financing program
Eligibility for CDEM’s Investment Fund is determined by specific requirements related to the business ownership and operations.
- The business must belong to one or several Francophones who own at least a 50% interest in the business.
- The business must operate or be about to operate in Manitoba.
- Any loan request must be accompanied by an appropriate and reasonable business plan showing the real potential for commercial viability and the ability to repay.
- The applicants must prove they have explored all other reasonable methods to obtain financial support and were unable to obtain this support.
Who is eligible?
The grant is specifically targeting Manitoba businesses primarily owned by Francophones, which means they should have a minimum of 50% Francophone ownership. The businesses must either be operational or slated to operate in Manitoba and need to accompany their loan request with a detailed and reasonable business plan that demonstrates commercial viability and repayment capability. Furthermore, applicants must show that they have exhausted all other reasonable avenues for financial support but were unable to secure it.
Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the CDEM Investment Fund grant. To qualify, a business must:
- Be owned by Francophones who own at least a 50% interest in the business.
- Operate or is about to operate in Manitoba.
- Submit a reasonable business plan demonstrating commercial viability and repayment ability.
- Show efforts in exploring other financing options before seeking support from the fund.
Eligible expenses
This investment fund provides financial support for businesses owned by Francophones in Manitoba, supporting new ventures and growth activities. Eligible projects mainly focus on business start-up, expansion, and diversification plans.
- Business start-up activities for new ventures.
- Expansion projects to grow existing businesses.
- Diversification initiatives to expand business offerings.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant specifically targets businesses operating or about to operate in Manitoba. This geographic focus ensures support for Francophone-owned enterprises within the province.
- Businesses operating in Manitoba.
Eligibility criteria of the CDEM — Financing program
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- The business must belong to one or several Francophones who own at least a 50% interest in the business.
- The business must operate or is about to operate in Manitoba.
- Any loan request must be accompanied by an appropriate and reasonable business plan showing the potential for commercial viability and ability to repay.
- Applicants must prove they have explored other methods to obtain financial support and were unable to secure it.
How to apply to the CDEM — Financing program
1
Contact CDEM
Reach out to Joel Lemoine at jlemoine@cdem.com for initial inquiries and guidance on the application process.
2
Prepare Business Plan
Develop a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates commercial viability and the business’s repayment capability.
3
Explore Other Funding Sources
Document and present evidence of attempts to acquire funding from other sources.
4
Submit Application
Send the completed business plan and required documents to CDEM for review.
5
Receive Feedback
Wait for feedback or further instructions from CDEM on the status of your application.
Additional information
Here is additional relevant information about the CDEM's Investment Fund:
- CDEM is a partner with Western Economic Diversification and the Business Development Bank of Canada in managing a risk capital fund for Manitoba Francophone businesses.
- Joel Lemoine is the contact person for inquiries regarding business services, including the Investment Fund, at CDEM.
Contact Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM)
jlemoine@cdem.com
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