Indigenous Business Funding

Employment, Financial, and Indigenous Services

Provided by Nuu-Chah-Nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC)

Provides business funding for eligible Indigenous members in Vancouver Island.
The NEDC helps Aboriginals and First Nation communities on Vancouver Island by providing business funding and by carefully selecting the most suitable loan and contribution sources based on the eligibility and individual details of each project. Below are some of the common Programs NEDC accesses for eligible clients:

Indigenous Business Loans: A general loan fund available with flexible terms, interest rates, repayment options, and requirements. Eligibility and application instructions are available online.

First Citizen's Fund: An FCF loan offers a 40% contribution to the principal of your loan as you pay it off. The lifetime maximum you can borrow is $75,000 plus the administration fee (1.5%). Eligibility and application instructions are available online.

Business Equity Program: A needs based program. Contributions to assist in the capital, marketing and operating costs of establishing, expanding and acquiring a business. Provides up to $99,999 for individuals and up to $250,000 for community-owned businesses. More information is available online.

Business Equity Program (ABFP): Offer non-repayable contributions of up to $99,999 to entrepreneurs and up to $250,000 to community businesses to assist with the capital, marketing and operating costs of establishing, expanding or acquiring a business. It requires that the contribution does not exceed 40% of eligible capital/operating project costs or 75% of business planning/support costs. The project is monitored for the life of the agreement to ensure the client continues to meet their contractual obligations and to determine the success of the project. Expenses prior to a signed contract are ineligible. More information is available online.

NRT Equity Match Program: Offer equity matching contributions to Indigenous entrepreneurs from BC First Nations (including community businesses) to assist with meeting their equity requirements. These funds are intended to assist with the support, expansion, or modernization of businesses within BC. The NRT Equity Match offers entrepreneurs up to $7,500 and community businesses up to $25,000 with a non-repayable contribution. It requires that the equity match does not exceed 25% of eligible project costs, and it must be offered in conjunction with financing. More information is available online.

Nuu-chah-nulth Contributions: Offer non-repayable contributions of up to $10,000 for entrepreneurs and up to $25,000 to community businesses. More information is available online.

Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs: Loans and contributions to assist with the costs of establishing or expanding a business. More information is available online.

250-724-3131

Toll Free: 1-866-444-6332

Public email: nedc@nedc.info

Website: https://www.nedc.info/

7563 Pacific Rim Highway, Port Alberni, British Columbia, V9Y 8Y5

Cost: No cost

Availability

Service area: Island Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Alert Bay, Bamfield, Black Creek, Brentwood Bay, Campbell River, Cathedral Grove, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Comox, Coombs, Cortes Island, Courtenay, Cumberland, Deep Bay, Denman Island, Duncan, Fanny Bay, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Hornby Island, Horne Lake, Kyuquot, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Lantzville, Long Beach, Mayne Island, Merville, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Nitinaht, North Saanich, Parksville, Pender Island, Penelakut Island, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Quadra Island, Qualicum Beach, Quathiaski Cove, Saanich, Saanichton, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Sayward, Shawnigan Lake, Sidney, Sointula, Sooke, Tahsis, Tofino, Ucluelet, and Victoria

Service Types Provided
Employment
  • Employment Support
Financial
Indigenous Services
Ways to Access
  • Includes the provision of funding

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