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Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital - British Columbia - Canada
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Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital

Support for Indigenous business development in the cannabis sector
New Relationship Trust
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
  • Closing date : December 1, 2025
Location
British Columbia, Canada

Overview

Get up to $250,000 in funding to cover the cost of licensing and permitting as well as make capital available to support the launch or expansion of businesses in the cannabis industry.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Timeline
  • Closing date : December 1, 2025

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail trade
Location
  • British Columbia
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Sole proprietorship
  • Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Startups
  • Women

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Establishing new businesses within the regulated cannabis industry.
  • Expanding existing regulated cannabis businesses.
  • Transitioning existing unregulated cannabis businesses into the regulated industry.
  • Developing and implementing business plans, including feasibility studies and licensing.
  • Supporting capitalization for business start-up, expansion, or acquisition in the cannabis sector.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Regulated cannabis cultivation businesses
  • Regulated cannabis processing businesses
  • Regulated cannabis distribution businesses
  • Regulated cannabis ancillary service providers
  • Businesses transitioning from unregulated to regulated cannabis industry

Who is not eligible

  • Companies that are not Indigenous-owned (minimum 51% Indigenous ownership required).
  • Businesses operating outside of British Columbia.
  • Unregulated cannabis businesses that do not cease operations before grant disbursement.
  • Companies unwilling or unable to provide a share of project costs (required financial contribution between 25% to 60% depending on project type).

Eligible expenses

  • Business planning and advisory services costs.
  • Feasibility studies for the business.
  • Costs related to government licensing and permitting.
  • Construction and retrofit expenses.
  • Equipment purchases.
  • Capitalization costs for business start-up, expansion or acquisition.
  • Business design-related expenses.
  • Skills and training expenses directly related to business launch.

Eligible geographic areas

  • British Columbia

Additional information

  • Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until December 1, 2025, or until available funding is exhausted.
  • The program is administered and co-delivered by New Relationship Trust and participating Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) in British Columbia.
  • Only one Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund grant is allowed per project, but multiple Indigenous owners can be included under one grant.
  • The Cannabis Navigator service offers guidance and resource referrals to support applicants through the grant process.

Documents and links

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital

Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital. 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 Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital?

Get up to $250,000 in funding to cover the cost of licensing and permitting as well as make capital available to support the launch or expansion of businesses in the cannabis industry.

How much funding can be received?

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital program?

To be eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital program, you must: Minimum 51% Indigenous ownership of the business Business located in British Columbia Applicant must contribute 25% to 60% of project costs via cash equity or loan financing

What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital?

Establishing new businesses within the regulated cannabis industry. Expanding existing regulated cannabis businesses. Transitioning existing unregulated cannabis businesses into the regulated industry. Developing and implementing business plans, including feasibility studies and licensing. Supporting capitalization for business start-up, expansion, or acquisition in the cannabis sector.

Where is the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital available?

The Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital program is available the province of British Columbia.

Is the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital?

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital is funded by New Relationship Trust

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