Loan
Federal
Active
BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Loan Range
$100,001 to $350,000 (the loan has a minimum, not just a...
Ongoing; no fixed deadline
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Loan
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Financing share
Varies
BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan provides up to $100,001 to $350,000 (the loan has a minimum, not just a ceiling). Loans up to $350,000 for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis entrepreneurs operating a business in Canada or launching a viable startup. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Loans up to $350,000 for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis entrepreneurs operating a business in Canada or launching a viable startup. Borrowers must show ability to repay and provide proof of Indigenous identity.
Eligibility Requirements
- Indigenous entrepreneur (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis)
- Business operating in Canada, or a viable startup
- Demonstrated ability to repay the loan
- To apply for a BDC loan you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have reached the age of majority in the province or territory in which you live
- Business must have been in operation at least 12 months. The application asks whether you have been operating less than 12 months, 12-24 months, or more than 24 months; under 12 months is referred to BDC's partner start-up programmes
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- $100,001 to $350,000 (the loan has a minimum, not just a ceiling)
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Ongoing; no fixed deadline
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipHave your Indigenous identity documentation ready and explore stacking this loan with NACCA or Aboriginal Financial Institution financing for larger projects; there are no processing or annual administration fees.
Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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The pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to secure BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 4-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 4-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what lenders look for
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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4 steps
4 docs
Application Steps
1
Confirm you meet BDC's applicant requirements To apply for a BDC loan you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have reached the age of majority in the province or territory in which you live.
Required Documents 4
✓ Business plan or viable startup documentation
✓ Financial statements or forecasts
Deadline Notes
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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4 partners
Compatible Programs
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) / Aboriginal Financial Institutions
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
Pow Wow Pitch
Futurpreneur
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan | $100,001 to $350,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing; no fixed... |
| Pow Wow Pitch Competition | $500–$25,000 | Easy | Lump Sum | 2026 virtual submissions... |
| Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
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How much can I borrow with this BDC loan?
Up to $350,000. BDC directs entrepreneurs who need more than that to its other financing solutions, or to a local Aboriginal Financial Institution through NACCA.
Are there fees on top of the interest rate?
BDC states there are no processing or annual administration fees on this loan, and that it carries a preferred rate with flexible repayment terms to help protect your cash flow.
Do I need to already be in business to apply?
No. The application asks whether your business has been operating for less than 12 months, between 12 and 24 months, or more than 24 months - all three are accepted paths through the form.
Who can apply for a BDC loan generally?
BDC states that to apply for a BDC loan you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have reached the age of majority in the province or territory in which you live.
What does the charitable contribution mean for me?
Nothing you pay. BDC annually contributes to charitable organizations that support Indigenous communities based on the outstanding principal balance of your loan - it is BDC's own giving, not a fee.
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Full Playbook: BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
4 steps · 4 docs · reviewer insights