Quick facts

What is the Black Entrepreneurship Program?

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, post-secondary or other accredited educational institutions and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). With an investment of over $265 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.

I'm a Black entrepreneur who needs help for my business. How can this program help me?

BEP helps Black entrepreneurs in three ways:

By providing funding, through the Ecosystem Fund, to not-for-profit Black-led organizations to develop new services or expand those they already offer such as mentorship, networking, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs. These organizations were selected by the Government of Canada's Regional Development Agencies following an open Call for Concepts. They will offer support services in your area, or through a regional or national delivery partner. List of Ecosystem Fund Recipients

The BEP Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government, Black-led business organizations, and the Business Development Bank of Canada. It provides loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. The Loan Fund started accepting applications on May 31, 2021. The Loan Fund is delivered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).

Through funding to a partnership between a Black community organization (or consortium of Black community organizations) and a post-secondary or other accredited educational institution in Canada, the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub will conduct research to better understand the state of Black Entrepreneurship in Canada. The Hub is being run by Carleton University and Dream Legacy Foundation and can be accessed at Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub - Sprott School of Business (carleton.ca)

Who are the Ecosystem Fund Organizations?

The Ecosystem Fund organizations are not-for-profit, Black-led organizations that meet the following criteria:

  • leadership positions (Directors, Founders, etc.) that are primarily occupied by people who self-identify as Black (minimum two-thirds of positions);
  • the governance structure (volunteer committee, advisory board, eldership circle, etc.) that is primarily composed of people who self-identify as Black (minimum two-thirds of positions); and
  • their mandate, activities and outcomes are focused on supporting members of Black communities.

Not-for-profit organizations are organizations such as, but not limited to:

  • Business and entrepreneur support organizations;
  • Innovation hubs;
  • Incubators/Accelerators;
  • Organizations that support social enterprises or cooperatives.

How can I apply for the Ecosystem Fund?

This call for concepts is closed, so we are no longer accepting applications.

Can I apply for the Knowledge Hub?

This call for concepts is closed, so we are no longer accepting applications.

When will the Loan Fund be available and how can I apply?

The Loan Fund started accepting applications on May 31, 2021. It provides loans of up to $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs.

The program administrator, the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), is the initial entry point for all Black-owned enterprises interested in applying for a loan.  The loan portal is accessible at The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE). Loan applicants are able to submit documentation and communicate with a FACE client relationship manager on the status of their application.

For any inquiries about the program and eligibility, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact FACE at info@facecoalition.com

What is the difference between the Ecosystem Fund and the Knowledge Hub? Can my organization apply for both?

The Ecosystem Fund provides support for Black-led organizations to develop new services or expand those they already offer such as mentorship, networking, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs.

In contrast, the Knowledge Hub funds large-scale qualitative and quantitative research on Black entrepreneurship through a partnership between a Black-led community organization (or consortium of Black community organizations) and a post-secondary or other accredited educational institution in Canada.

The call for concepts for both components is closed, so we are no longer accepting applications.