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Black Entrepreneurship Program

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Funds loan participation for Black Canadian entrepreneurs through mission-aligned lenders to expand growth-capable businesses.

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About

The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (BELF) is a federal program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) in partnership with the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). It provides repayable loans of up to CAD $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada to start, grow, or maintain th…

What this grant funds

Business growth and start-up support for Black entrepreneurs across all sectors in Canada.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Loan
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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Application process

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Timeline

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Where founders trip up

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: ised-isde.canada.ca