Edmonton, Alberta - PrairiesCan
Black entrepreneurs and small business owners face systemic barriers that limit their access to the capital and resources needed to grow their businesses and bring their ideas to market.
Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced $15.2 million in funding over five years for the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund on the Prairies. This new funding will strengthen support for not-for-profit organizations that serve Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs, enabling those organizations to expand services such as mentorship, networking, financial planning and business training.
The Government of Canada is committed to reducing barriers for Black entrepreneurs, helping them gain better access to capital and achieve long-term success.
The Ecosystem Fund is a key part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, which was recently extended with an additional $189 million in funding through 2030. The Ecosystem Fund will empower these organizations to build stronger local business ecosystems, ensuring that Black entrepreneurs on the Prairies have the support they need to start, grow and succeed.
