Open
CDEM — Microcredit
Microcredit for Indigenous business projects
Last Update: April 9, 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
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
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
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
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CDEM — Microcredit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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 Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (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