February marks Black History Month — a time to honour the invaluable contributions of Black Canadians to our communities and beyond.
Entrepreneurship is no easy journey, and Black entrepreneurs often face additional challenges due to systemic barriers. In 2024, a QuickBooks study revealed that while 74% of Black entrepreneurs reported increased support compared to 2020, significant gaps remain. 2 in 3 Black Entrepreneurs in Canada say they can’t pay off their business credit card balances within the next month.
To help bridge this gap, we’re reintroducing one of our most sought-after resource guides: Resources for Black Entrepreneurs in Canada. This guide includes funding opportunities, loans, mentorship programs, and networking tools to support Black entrepreneurs on their path to success.
Calgary Black Chambers
Calgary Black Chambers supports young Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs in the Calgary area through their student mentorship, scholarship, and fellowship programs.
Black Business Ventures Association
The Black Business Ventures Association helps Black founders start and build their tech businesses through events, resources, and programming. A program they offer all year is the Mwanzo Program, a free 4-week, hybrid, and virtual program with ongoing enrollment that helps bring business ideas to life.
Real Ventures’ Rep Matters
Real Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm supporting entrepreneurs through resources, connections, guidance, and mentorship. Real Ventures created “Rep Matters” to inspire Black entrepreneurs and tell the stories of successful Black business owners and investors.
Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA)
Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) is an accelerator that supports Black entrepreneurs through various programs, such as their Mental Health as a Black Entrepreneur, Funding – Boostrap, Loan, Grants, and Private Investments, and more programs to support Black entrepreneurs.
TD Bank Black Entrepreneur Credit Access Program
The Black Entrepreneur Credit Access Program is made to provide Black entrepreneurs with access to credit in order to drive their businesses forward. The program offers an enhanced credit review process, including a holistic view of your credit application. As well as services such as business banking advice, financial planning, borrowing advice, mortgage solutions, and more.
Scotiabank Black-Led Business Financing Program
Scotiabank offers a Black-Led Business Financing Program to lend eligible Black entrepreneurs financing for capital investments and/or working capital needs. Businesses can apply for a term loan for capital investments up to $250,000!
DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs
The DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs provide Black-owned tech startups with programs such as BIP stream: Pre-Incubator, where founders receive a $5,000 entry grant upon completing sales training, up to $15,000 budget pool for legal expenses, mentorship, and more.
BKR Capital
BKR Capital is a Canadian venture capital fund that solely invests in Black-led startups and businesses. The team focuses on early stage disruptive companies in the technology space.
Black Business Association of BC
The Black Business Association of BC provides various programs and resources for building your retail strategy, creating sustainable growth, and networking opportunities.
Tribe Network’s Black Start-up Project
Tribe Network’s Black Start-up Project provides access to resources, education, training, capital, mentorship, and coaching to Black, Indigenous, and BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners in Atlantic Canada.
Black Founders Network
The Black Founders Network is open to Black-identifying University of Toronto’s students. In partnership with U of T’s accelerator programs, BFN provides access to an inclusive community for Black entrepreneurs at all stages of their business. They provide access to mentors, sponsorships, and resources to increase the number of Black-led U of T startups.
Black Entrepreneur Startup Program by Futurpreneur and RBC
Futurpreneur’s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program partnered with RBC to provide startup loan financing and access to mentorship for Black Entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. The program guides you through all the steps of writing a business plan, from financing to launch.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund by FACE
FACE’s Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund has partnered with FACE, the Government of Canada, BDC, and private sector financial institutions for loans of up to $250,000 to support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across Canada.
RBC Black Entrepreneur Program
RBC’s Black Entrepreneur Program provides access to advice, connections, and banking solutions to grow your business. With RBC’s program, you can access loans of up to $250,000. Their website also has access to a variety of helpful tools, including a business loan calculator, a business cash flow calculator, and a business plan builder.
Black Opportunity Fund
Black Opportunity Fund is a community-led Canadian charity on a mission to create a healthy and thriving Black Canada by challenging anti-Black racism and responding to long-standing underinvestment in Black communities. The fund facilitates access to capital for Black-led businesses and provides access to grants to Black-led non-profits and charities.
Atlantic Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program
The Atlantic Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program provides access to business development support, counselling, and mentorship opportunities to Black entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canadian provinces. You can seek advice on marketing and communication strategies, procurement and supply chain, and building your business acumen. They also provide a specific stream for youth entrepreneurs called Business is Jammin.
ANZA’s Black Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program
ANZA’s Black Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program is designed to help Black youth ages 18 to 30 generate business ideas, convert those ideas into business plans, and seek financing to launch their businesses. Based in Alberta, this program teaches participants transferable skills to become successful entrepreneurs.
Canadian Blk Women in Excellence Society
Canadian Blk Women in Excellence Society empowers and supports Black women and Black Female Youth through a dynamic, multifaceted approach. Through tailored empowerment programs, interconnected mentorship initiatives, and collaborative educational and skill advancement opportunities, they cultivate a culture of shared experiences, guidance, and mutual support across generations.
Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC Society)
Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC Society) is a non-profit organization that strives to support Black entrepreneurs through their initiatives, programs, pitch contest, and more.
Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) is a charitable organization whose mission is to advance Canada’s Black community through its workshops and programs at the BBPA Centre of Excellence, the Annual Harry Jerome Awards, the BBPA National Scholarships, and the National Black Business Convention (NBBPC).
Black North – B.E.G.I.N. Program
Black North hosts the Black Entrepreneurship Growth and Innovation Network (B.E.G.I.N.), a platform built to support Black entrepreneurs through mentorship, networks, and support services to help them along their entrepreneurial journey.
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH)
The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is a national network of six regional research hubs dedicated to advancing Black entrepreneurship through community-focused research and actionable insights. As part of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program, BEKH empowers Black entrepreneurs by addressing knowledge gaps, fostering equity, and supporting sustained economic growth across the country.
Black Business Initiative (BBI)
The Black Business Initiative (BBI), founded in 1996, is dedicated to fostering the growth of Black-owned businesses and economic prosperity across Canada. Through entrepreneurship training, business development support, and access to resources, BBI empowers Black entrepreneurs from start-up to expansion, creating opportunities for economic independence and vibrant community development in Atlantic Canada and beyond.
Black African and Caribbean Entrepreneurship Leadership (BACEL)
The Black African and Caribbean Entrepreneurship Leadership (BACEL) program empowers over 400 Black entrepreneurs nationwide with business and life skills training. Taking an intersectional approach, BACEL addresses barriers like access to capital, skills gaps, and networks. The program strengthens Canada’s Black business community through online training, mentorship, tailored support, and drives entrepreneurial success.
If you think this resource guide will help a Black entrepreneur in your network, please share it. Let’s continue to celebrate, support, and empower Black entrepreneurs across Canada!