Businesses owned by or hiring women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities or students might qualify for incentive funding. Tourism-oriented businesses and businesses with an environmental focus may also qualify.
Women
Women’s Enterprise Centre provides loans for market-ready start-ups, business expansion projects, and business purchases.
The Business Development Bank of Canada has provided over $1.8 billion in business loans to women.
Aboriginal People
Aboriginal Business Service Network Society was set up in 2009 to increase the role of Aboriginal People in business development.
British Columbia has Aboriginal Financial Institutions located in several regions of the province, which can provide financing for small Aboriginal business development.
Business Advisory Centres in Cranbrook, Fort St. John and Prince George can help Aboriginal entrepreneurs with business start-up or expansion, partnerships and planning.
The Business Development Bank of Canada offers both lending and practical advice through its BDC Aboriginal Banking division.
The First Citizens Fund, a perpetual fund created in 1969, is available for cultural, educational and economic development for Aboriginal People in British Columbia.
People with Disabilities
Triumph Vocational Services creates opportunities for people with disabilities in British Columbia to develop skills, increase independence and participate in the workplace.
WorkABLE Solutions connects job seekers who have disabilities with potential employers.
Environmental Focus
BC Environmental Industry Association develops programs that help employers with resources to find and keep the best environmental practitioners.
Students and Young People
Association for Co-operative Education lets employers check local post-secondary institutions for co-op programs, post jobs for co-op students and review student resumes.
The Business Development Bank can provide start-up help to young entrepreneurs who are 19-35 years old.
High Tech
New Venture BC gives early-stage B.C. innovators and entrepreneurs access to technology leaders, business education and our annual $300,000 funding competition.
