Nunavut Strategic Investments Program — Business Investment Fund
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable territorial grants of $50,000–$150,000 for Nunavut-resident-majority-owned businesses to start up or expand in strategic sectors. Covers business planning, training, marketing, and capital investments yielding measurable economic benefits for Nunavut communities.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business must be majority-owned by residents of Nunavut
- Must be operating in Nunavut
- Eligible: for-profit businesses, municipalities, non-profit corporations
- Must demonstrate predictable economic development outcomes
- No outstanding obligations with EDT department
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $50,000 to $150,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Territorial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipStart with preliminary consultation at your regional EDT office. Emphasize concrete economic outcomes — jobs, local spending, community capacity. If Inuit-owned, also explore Kakivak Association and Kivalliq Partners for additional stacking.
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Success Profile
Nunavut-resident majority-owned business pursuing startup or expansion with clear community economic benefits. Sectors: resource services, construction, tourism, retail, food/hospitality.
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Evaluation Criteria
Nunavut-resident majority ownership (eligibility gate); economic development outcomes (jobs created/retained, local spending); project viability (credible business plan, market analysis); financial capacity to manage and co-fund project; strategic sector alignment with Nunavut priorities; no outstanding EDT obligations.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 7
- Capital equipment and machinery (vehicles, tools, processing equipment, fishing vessels)
- Facility construction or renovation (buildings, storage, processing areas)
- Business planning and feasibility (third-party plans, feasibility studies)
- Workforce training directly related to the business expansion
- Marketing and market development (website, promotional materials, trade shows, packaging)
- Leasehold improvements to commercial space
- Start-up costs (licenses, initial setup, limited initial inventory)
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Expenses incurred before application submission or before contribution agreement is signed
- Salaries and wages of the business owner or existing staff (except directly hired for project scope)
- Routine operating costs (rent, utilities, ongoing supplies)
- Debt repayment or refinancing
- Personal expenses of the business owner
- Real estate (land) purchases
- GST/HST (tax-recoverable amounts)
Intake Periods
Rolling year-round intake through regional offices. Apply mid-fiscal year (July–November) for best budget availability.
Deadline Notes
Rolling intake through regional offices. Contact EDT: toll-free 1-888-975-5999 or [email protected]. Regional offices in Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Baffin.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses majority-owned by non-Nunavut residents
- Businesses operating primarily outside of Nunavut
- Organizations with outstanding unresolved EDT obligations from prior agreements
- Federal Crown corporations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Nunavut Strategic Investmen... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut Strategic Investments Program... | $50,000 to $150,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| CanNor IDEANorth (Inclusive Diversifi... | $50,000 to $6,000,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Kivalliq Partners in Development — Bu... | Up to $125,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Open |
| Canadian Northern Economic Developmen... | Varies | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Kakivak Association - Sivummut Grants... | Up to $25,000 total per business | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
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