Startup Canada wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black Canadians across communities and industries. While entrepreneurship can be challenging, Black founders often face additional barriers in accessing funding, mentorship, and networks, barriers that can also create psychological hurdles. In fact, a 2025 BDC study found that 72% of Black entrepreneurs shared that the fear of racial stereotypes almost stopped them from starting a business.
To support founders on every stage of their journey, we’ve updated our guide to highlight programs, funding, mentorship, and community resources specifically for Black entrepreneurs across Canada!
Whether you’re just getting started or preparing to scale, the organizations offer support across every stage of the entrepreneurship journey, from idea validation to mentorship to financing and growth!
For Early Stage Founders
Just starting out: exploring ideas, building your first product or service, or preparing to launch.
ANZA’s Black Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program
ANZA, based in Alberta, supports Black youth aged 18 to 30 turn ideas into actionable business plans through a 25-week strategy. Through mentorship, workshops, and practical skills-building, participants gain the tools and confidence to launch their ventures.
Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA)
BBVA helps Black founders start and build tech businesses through events, resources, and programming. Their Mwanzo Program supports Black entrepreneurs who are testing their business ideas and learning how to develop business foundations through a free, four-week hybrid program.
Black Entrepreneurs Startup Program (BESP)
Through Futurepreneur and funded by RBC and BDC, BESP provides inclusive startup loan financing, access to mentorship, networking, and follow-up financing for Black entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.
BFN provides industry and stage-agnostic support, access to mentors, sponsorships, and accelerator programs for Black-identifying University of Toronto students. Applications are open until March 9, 2026, for their BFN Accelerate program.
Through student mentorship, scholarship, and fellowship programs, CBC supports Black entrepreneurs in the Calgary area in their professional development and give back to the community.
Canadian Blk Women in Excellence Society (BWIE)
Canadian BWIE empowers Black women and female youth through tailored empowerment programs, mentorship initiatives, and collaborative education and skills-development opportunities.
An annual summit for the Black entrepreneurial community, bringing together investors, corporate leaders, and government to highlight Black-led innovation and a pitch competition exclusively for Black founders. They had their largest summit to date in 2025 with over 400 guests.
LiftOff – Black Entrepreneurship Program
LiftOff provides a free 12-month program for Black entrepreneurs, providing customized one-on-one coaching, office space, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding to help launch and grow their businesses.
Tribe Network provides racialized entrepreneurs with education, resources, and guidance throughout their journey. Providing various programs like Out East, a virtual-first entrepreneurship program supporting racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ founders in Atlantic Canada, and Black Youth AI Fellowship, a free 8-week virtual AI program designed for Black university students across Canada.
For Early to Growth Stage Founders
Founders with traction or first revenue who want to grow, scale, or strengthen operations.
Atlantic Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program
The Atlantic Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program offers business development support, counselling, and mentorship for Black entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada.
Black African and Caribbean Entrepreneurship Leadership (BACEL)
BACEL empowers Black entrepreneurs nationwide through online business and life-skills training, mentorship, and tailored support that addresses barriers such as access to capital and networks.
Black Business Association of BC
Black Business Association of BC provides programs and resources to help founders strengthen their retail strategy, build sustainable growth, and access networking opportunities across British Columbia.
Black Business Initiative (BBI)
BBI supports Black-owned businesses through entrepreneurship training, business development support, and access to resources from start-up to expansion across Atlantic Canada. Providing programs like the Atlantic Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program, Business Consulting Advisory Services Grant Program, Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI), and Barrier Breakers Youth Program.
Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC Society)
BEBC Society supports Black entrepreneurs through initiatives such as the AI-powered Go-to-Market Bootcamp, Black Youth Business Program, Black Pitch Contest, Investment Readiness Program, and mentorship opportunities designed to foster business growth.
Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA)
BEA is an accelerator that supports Black entrepreneurs through programs focused on mental health, funding literacy, grants, loans, private investment readiness, and business growth.
Black North – B.E.G.I.N. Program
Black North Entrepreneurship Growth and Innovation Network (B.E.G.I.N) connects Black entrepreneurs with mentorship, networks, and support services to help them advance their ventures.
The Black Opportunity Fund is a community-led charity that is focused on addressing systemic underinvestment in Black communities by facilitating access to capital and providing grants to Black-led businesses and organizations.
For Scale Up and Growth Stage Founders
Revenue-generating, scaling operations, seeking capital or investment.
BKR is a Canadian venture capital fund that invests exclusively in Black-led startups, with a focus on technology companies. BKR has offices in Toronto and Montreal, with presences in Edmonton and Victoria.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
In collaboration with the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), the Government of Canada, BDC, and private financial institutions, the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund offers loans up to $250,000 to empower Black business owners across Canada with their Macro Loan Program.
RBC Black Entrepreneur Program
The RBC Black Entrepreneur Program provides access to loans, business advice, connections, and digital tools such as cash-flow calculators and business-planning resources to support business growth.
Scotiabank Black-Led Business Financing Program
Scotiabank’s Black-led Business Financing Program provides Black-led businesses with financing for capital investments or working capital, including term loans of up to $250,000.
TD Black Entrepreneur Credit Access Program
The TD Black Entrepreneur Credit Access Program offers enhanced access to credit through a holistic application review, along with business banking advice, financial planning, borrowing guidance, and mortgage solutions.
Rep Matters highlights and amplifies Black entrepreneurs by sharing stories, fostering connections, and building visibility with the tech ecosystem.
Research & Ecosystem Support
Helpful at any stage, for networking, insights, or advocacy
Afro Canadian Business Network (ACBN)
Funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, ACBN unifies and educates African and Caribbean heritage entrepreneurs to build their businesses through ecosystem support and programming.
Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
BBPA is a national organization that is advancing Canada’s Black community through workshops, scholarships, the Harry Jerome Awards, the National Black Business Convention, and more.
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH)
The BEKH is a national research network advancing Black entrepreneurship through community-focused research, actionable insights, and ecosystem collaboration as a part of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program.
Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce
The CBCC is the hub of the Canadian Black Business Ecosystem, with various opportunities and programs for Black entrepreneurs in Canada.
The Startup Canada Tariff Toolkit is a centralized resource designed to help entrepreneurs navigate tariff changes with confidence. It brings together curated news, practical tools, and relevant events in one easy-to-access space, so you can stay informed without losing focus on building and growing your business.
Program availability, eligibility criteria, and funding amounts may change. We encourage entrepreneurs to visit each organization’s website for the most up-to-date information.