Deadline Date: December 05, 2025
The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a national initiative by the Government of Canada to support Black-led, not-for-profit organizations in Québec in order to strengthen the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing mentorship, networking, training, outreach, and capacity-building services.
The Ecosystem Fund aims to consolidate Black entrepreneurship by funding Black-led non-profit organizations that offer incubation/acceleration programs, mentorship, financial planning, business consulting, and skills development, with the objective of enabling them to expand their existing service offerings and increase the number of Black entrepreneurs and Black-led businesses they support. Eligible activities include incubation and acceleration programs, consulting and support services, strategy development (studies, assessments, and action plans), networking activities and business contacts, mentoring, managerial capacity development, initiatives to support the participation of the Black community in entrepreneurship, and any other activity that supports the objectives of the PEB Ecosystem Fund.
Eligible organizations must be not-for-profit organizations operating in Québec and registered in the Registre des entreprises du Québec (REQ), with at least two-thirds of leadership and governance positions held by individuals who identify as Black. These organizations should have a mandate, activities, and outcomes focused on supporting members of Black communities, possess in-house capacity to provide business support services and reach the Black community, and have at least one year’s experience in delivering such services.
Eligible costs for funding include wages associated with eligible activities, consulting fees, travel expenses, and other costs incurred to carry out eligible activities. Overhead costs such as rent, telecommunications, utilities, and insurance are eligible only if reasonable and essential and may not exceed 15% of total project costs. Costs incurred prior to April 1, 2026, are not eligible for funding. Ineligible costs include the establishment of a fund to finance business projects, debt refinancing, amortization costs, purchasing assets above fair market value, and all non-essential costs not directly related to the project.
Financial assistance under the BEP is provided in the form of non-repayable contributions, with funding of up to $750,000 per organization per year and a maximum of $3,000,000 over four years. The minimum funding per organization is $100,000 per year. The assistance rate can be up to 90% of eligible costs, and the total government assistance from federal, provincial, and municipal sources cannot exceed 100%. Organizations are required to submit applications along with requested supporting documents to CED by the stated deadline to be considered for funding.
For more information, visit CED.
