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CDEM — Microcredit
Microcredit for Indigenous business projects
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,000 - $ 20,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Côte-Nord, Quebec, Canada
Overview
Microcredit financing is available up to $20,000 for business start-up, acquisition, or expansion. It supports eligible Indigenous-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in the CDEM service area.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Start a business
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Minimum amount : 2,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Côte-Nord
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business start-up
- Business acquisition
- Business expansion
Documents Needed
- Financing application form
- Personal financial statement
- Applicant declaration
- Business plan, if completed
- Curriculum vitae and proof of Indigenous status
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Innu and Naskapi individuals
- Incorporated businesses majority owned by Innu or Naskapi shareholders
- Partnerships and cooperatives majority owned by Innu or Naskapi members
Who is not eligible
- Insolvent businesses or undischarged bankrupts
- Applicants with insufficient equity in the project
- Applicants with insufficient business competence
- Personal loans and unsecured loans
- Real estate speculation and community-purpose property loans
Eligible expenses
- Buildings
- Equipment and rolling stock
- Leasehold improvements
- Working capital
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Personal loans
- Loans without tangible security
- Loan guarantees
- Residential real estate and speculative property purchases
- Debt refinancing
Eligible geographic areas
- Mashteuiatsh
- Essipit
- Pessamit
- Uashat mak Mani-Utenam
- Ekuanitshit
- Nutashkuan
- Unamen Shipu
- Pakua Shipu
- Matimekush-Lac John
- Kawawachikamach
Selection criteria
- Project viability
- Applicant credit history
- Experience and training in the sector
- Sufficient equity contribution
- Repayment capacity
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the application documents
- Complete the financing application form.
- Prepare the personal financial statement, applicant declaration, CV, and proof of Indigenous status.
- Attach the business plan and additional financial documents if the business already exists.
- Step 2: Submit the application
- Send the completed file by email, fax, or mail to the CDEM.
- Step 3: Follow up with the CDEM
- Provide any additional documents requested during the review.
Processing and Agreement
- The CDEM reviews the application and supporting documents to assess eligibility.
- The borrower may be asked to provide additional information or documents.
- Loan conditions are determined based on risk, guarantees, and repayment capacity.
- Funding is only granted after approval of the file.
Additional information
- Microcredit is offered in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
- For existing businesses, recent interim financial statements and corporate documents may be requested.
- Other documents may be required depending on the type of financing request.
- Environmental responsibility is mentioned as an expectation for entrepreneurs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CDEM — Microcredit Program
What is the CDEM — Microcredit?
Microcredit financing is available up to $20,000 for business start-up, acquisition, or expansion. It supports eligible Indigenous-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in the CDEM service area.
How much funding can be received?
CDEM — Microcredit Funds up to $20,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CDEM — Microcredit program?
To be eligible for the CDEM — Microcredit program, you must:
Viable business project
Sufficient equity and credit history
Majority Indigenous ownership
What expenses are eligible under CDEM — Microcredit?
Business start-up
Business acquisition
Business expansion
Who can I contact for more information about the CDEM — Microcredit?
You can contact Corporation de développement économique montagnaise (CDEM) by email at info@cdem.ca or by phone at 418 968-1246.
Where is the CDEM — Microcredit available?
The CDEM — Microcredit program is available Côte-Nord, Quebec.
Is the CDEM — Microcredit a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CDEM — Microcredit is a Loans and Capital investments