An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Partly repayable

Waubetek Business Financing Program

by Waubetek Business Development Corporation

Also known as: Aboriginal Business Financing Program · ABFP · BFP

Waubetek's Business Financing Program, the federal Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program delivered in North-East Ontario, provides non-repayable contributions up to $99,999 for First Nation, Inuit and non-status individuals, and up to $250,000 for First Nation communities or First Nation-owned businesses. Capital projects need at least 10% equity plus commercial financing; business plans, marketing and mentorship can be covered up to 75% with 25% equity. Continuous intake, start with a Business Development Officer. Métis applicants go to MVDF instead.

Amount
Up to $99,999 Individuals up to $99,999; First Nation communities / First Nation-owned businesses up to $250,000, paid as a percentage of total project costs This award range, $99,999, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

waubetek.com · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Individuals: Up to $99,999 as a percentage of the total project costs; First Nation Communities/First Nation-owned businesses: Up to $250,000

Instrument
Conditional contribution
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share
10% matching required Capital projects: minimum 10% unencumbered equity plus commercial financing for the balance. Soft costs (business plans, valuations, marketing, mentorship): 25% equity, BFP may cover up to 75%, no commercial loan required.

waubetek.com · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Who qualifies
Individuals Businesses Indigenous organizations and communities
  • individual-entrepreneur
  • business
  • first-nation-community
  • first-nation-owned-business
  • First Nation, Inuit and non-status applicants located in North-East Ontario (on or off reserve)
  • Proof of Indigenous heritage required (status card / ITK letter / genealogical documentation for non-status)
  • Métis applicants must apply to the Métis Voyageur Development Fund instead

waubetek.com · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

First Nation, Inuit and non-status applicants located in North-Eastern Ontario

Where
Algoma District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District6 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: eligibleCochrane District: not eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): eligibleKenora District: not eligibleManitoulin District: eligibleNipissing District: eligibleParry Sound District: eligibleRainy River District: not eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): eligibleThunder Bay District: not eligibleTimiskaming District: not eligible

6 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses Startups & new entrepreneurs Small business, expansion

How do you apply?

Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.

  1. Consult with a Waubetek Business Development Officer
  2. Prepare business plan and financing package
  3. Submit application; approval and contribution agreement

waubetek.com · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

How much can I get from Waubetek's BFP?

Up to $99,999 for individuals, or up to $250,000 for First Nation communities and First Nation-owned businesses, calculated as a percentage of total project costs.

Do I need my own money in the project?

Yes, a minimum 10% unencumbered equity for capital projects (plus commercial financing for the balance), or 25% equity for business planning, valuation, marketing and mentorship costs, where BFP may cover up to 75%.

I'm Métis in northeastern Ontario, can I apply?

No. Waubetek directs Métis applicants to the Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) instead.

Is there a deadline?

No fixed deadline is posted, intake is continuous. Consult a Waubetek Business Development Officer to start.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

  • Waubetek Indigenous Women's Entrepreneurship Program Open, continuous intake
    same funder (Waubetek Business Development Corporation); both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and startups & new entrepreneurs; waubetek — Up to $50,000
  • NADF E-Commerce Grant Open, continuous intake
    both for indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses and startups & new entrepreneurs; non repayable — Up to $8,000
  • Ontario Creates IP Fund Next intake not announced
    both for startups & new entrepreneurs and small business, expansion; non repayable — $5,000 – $500,000

Guides that cover this program

Notes on this record

Waubetek is the delivery IFI for the ISC Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program in North-East Ontario (its northwestern counterpart is NADF's BFP, slug nadf-bfp). Serves applicants on or off reserve.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

www.waubetek.com