Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program — Access to Capital
Federal - Indigenous Services Canada / local IFI · Up to $99,999 (individual); up to $250,000 (community businesses)
Access to capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous-owned businesses via a local Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) or Métis Capital Corporation. Mix of lending and non-repayable equity contribution varies by IFI. No application deadline. Published amount: Up to $99,999 (individual); up to $250,000 (community businesses). Best for: Indigenous entrepreneurs and community businesses seeking IFI capital. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Official source: Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program — Access to Capital.
Criteria
| Who qualifies |
|
|---|---|
| Who does not |
|
| Amount | Up to $99,999 (individual); up to $250,000 (community businesses) |
| Rate / repayable | Varies by IFI. Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant). |
| What it funds | Access to capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous-owned businesses via a local Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) or Métis Capital Corporation. Mix of lending and non-repayable equity contribution varies by IFI. No application deadline. Highlights: Apply through a local IFI / MCC; Up to $99,999 for individual entrepreneurs; Up to $250,000 for Indigenous community businesses; No deadline. |
| Intake window | No application deadline (stated in the program description). |
| Region | Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. |
| Administrator | Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) (Federal - Indigenous Services Canada / local IFI) |
Published highlights
- Apply through a local IFI / MCC
- Up to $99,999 for individual entrepreneurs
- Up to $250,000 for Indigenous community businesses
- No deadline
FAQ
Is this a grant?
No. Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program — Access to Capital is catalogued as a loan / repayable contribution. Varies by IFI Confirm terms on the official page.
Who qualifies in Markham?
Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. Qualifies where the published criteria fit: startups and existing businesses; Canadian citizens, permanent residents; aimed at: indigenous; for-profit; available across Canada; indigenous entrepreneurs and community businesses seeking IFI capital.
Is there a minimum years in business or employee count?
No minimum years in business in this catalog; no minimum employee count in this catalog. See the official page if a rule is not listed here.
Can newcomers or work-permit holders apply?
The catalog lists Canadian citizens and permanent residents only — work-permit is not in the eligibility list. Do not assume a work-permit newcomer qualifies.
Is this limited to a specific community?
The catalog demographic tags are: indigenous. Self-identification / ownership rules are set by the administrator — see the official page.
When is intake open?
No application deadline (stated in the program description).
Related programs
Eligibility is determined by the government administrator (Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)), not Markham Office. Amounts, rates, and windows change. Verify every detail on the official page before you apply. Markham Office is an assessment helper only. As of September 2026.