BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Up to $350,000 with preferred terms for businesses 51%+ owned by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs. No application fees, up to 24 months principal deferral, interest rate reduction for completing free BDC Entrepreneurship Fundamentals course. Part of BDC's $250M inclusive entrepreneurship commitment.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business based and registered in Canada
- 51%+ owned and operated by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs
- Annual revenue below $3,000,000
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Reasonable credit history (~670+)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $350,000
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipComplete the free BDC Entrepreneurship Fundamentals course for an interest rate reduction. The 24-month principal deferral is valuable for early-stage businesses. If declined for standard BDC, you may still qualify here. Stack with Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund if eligible.
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Success Profile
Business 51%+ owned by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneur, revenue <$3M, credit ~670+. Accessible to startups that wouldn't qualify for standard BDC.
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Evaluation Criteria
Credit-based assessment, not competitive. Evaluated on: demographic ownership eligibility (51%+ women, Indigenous, or Black), credit history (approximately 670+ score), annual revenue below $3M, business viability assessment, Canadian registration and residency. This is a lending product — approval is based on creditworthiness and repayment ability, not on project merit or competitive scoring against other applicants.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 8
- Launch growth projects and business expansion initiatives
- Purchase of new or used equipment
- Technology investments and digital adoption
- Working capital and cash flow management
- Marketing, branding, and customer acquisition
- Leasehold improvements and facility upgrades
- Inventory purchase
- General business operations and growth-related expenses
Ineligible Expenses 4
- Refinancing of existing BDC debt
- Speculative investments unrelated to the business
- Personal expenses not related to business operations
- Illegal activities
Intake Periods
Continuous year-round intake. No application deadlines or intake windows. Apply anytime at bdc.ca or call 1-877-232-2269 or visit any of 100+ BDC business centres across Canada.
Deadline Notes
Continuous intake year-round. Apply at bdc.ca or call 1-877-232-2269.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses not registered in Canada
- Businesses with annual revenue exceeding $3,000,000
- Businesses not at least 51% owned and operated by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs
- Non-Canadian citizens or non-permanent residents
- Businesses with significantly impaired credit history (well below ~670 threshold)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskLow. This is a standard commercial loan — no clawback mechanism. The borrower is obligated to repay principal plus interest per the loan agreement. No penalty for early repayment. Default follows standard BDC collection procedures. Unlike grant programs, there is no requirement to return funds if business objectives are not met, only to make scheduled payments.
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How BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurs... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan | Up to $350,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Black Entrepreneurship Program | Up to $250,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Up to $1.15 million | Easy | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Start... | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
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