Waubetek Indigenous Women's Entrepreneurship Program
by Waubetek Business Development Corporation
Also known as: Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Micro-Loan Fund · Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund · IWE (Waubetek)
Waubetek runs two funds for Indigenous women entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario: a Micro-Loan Fund up to $20,000 (45% non-repayable, 50% repayable, 5% cash equity) and a Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund up to $50,000 (fully repayable; total financing package capped at $100,000). Interest is prime plus up to 4% based on risk, with 3-5 year terms. A mentorship stream adds up to $3,000 for mentees over six months. Intake is continuous.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $50,000
waubetek.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- Instrument
- Mixed instruments
- Status
- Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
- Your share
- 5% matching required
waubetek.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- Who qualifies
- Sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation · 51%+ Indigenous ownership
- Indigenous women 18+; First Nations and Inuit with documentation
- Micro-Loan Fund requires 51% ownership by the applicant; Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund requires 50%+ Indigenous women ownership
- Service area is North-Eastern Ontario; district mapping approximate, confirm with Waubetek
waubetek.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Repayment structure
{"micro_loan_fund":"Max $20,000: 50% repayable, 45% non-repayable, 5% cash equity","women_entrepreneurship_loan_fund":"Max $50,000, fully repayable, no forgivable portion or grant"}
waubetek.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Application process
Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.
- Contact Waubetek (1-705-285-4275 / waubetek@waubetek.com)
- Prepare business plan with a Business Development Officer
- Submit application
- Loan/contribution package approved and disbursed
waubetek.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Common questions
Which Waubetek women's fund includes a grant portion?
Only the Micro-Loan Fund (max $20,000): 45% is a non-repayable contribution, 50% repayable, plus 5% cash equity. The larger Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (max $50,000) has no forgivable portion.
What interest rate does Waubetek charge?
Prime rate plus up to 4% depending on risk, with repayment over 3 to 5 years (5 years under the Loan Fund).
Who is eligible?
First Nations and Inuit women 18+ in North-Eastern Ontario. The Micro-Loan Fund requires 51% ownership; the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund requires the business be at least 50% owned by Indigenous women.
Is there a mentorship option?
Yes, mentees can receive up to $3,000 over 6 months and mentors a $1,000 honorarium over the same period.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: