Article Provided By : Government of Canada Source : https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/150.nsf/eng/home Date: 2020-22-12
The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. With an investment of up to $221 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.
Components of the program
National Ecosystem Fund
The National Ecosystem Fund will support not-for-profit Black-led business organizations across the country in their capacity to provide support, mentorship, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs.
Call for concepts closed: December 21, 2020. We are no longer accepting applications.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
Details to come
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub will conduct research on Black entrepreneurship in Canada. It will help identify barriers to success and opportunities for growth. The Hub will be led by not-for-profit Black-led community and business organizations in partnership with educational institutions.
Deadline for applications: January 18, 2021, at 2 pm (PST)
For more information
Information sessions were held on December 4 and December 11 regarding the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund and the Knowledge Hub. If you would like a recording of these sessions or a transcript, please send your request to ic.bep-pecn.ic@canada.ca.
Canadians who would like to provide feedback or find out more information about the Black Entrepreneurship Program, please contact ic.bep-pecn.ic@canada.ca.
Visit Managing your business during COVID-19 for more information about other financial support available to Canadians.
