What is Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP)?
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) is delivered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) as a grant + equity contribution. Funding is typically up to $99,999 (individual) / $250,000 (community business). This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Up to $99,999 (individual) / $250,000 (community business) |
|---|---|
| Cost share | Variable (equity-based) |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Grant + Equity Contribution |
| Delivered by | Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Open — applied through Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) |
| Last verified | Apr 2026 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All sectors
- Eligible activities: Start, expand, or acquire a business; working capital; equipment
Watch out for
Non-Indigenous majority ownership (for individual stream)
Deadlines & how to apply
Must apply through a certified IFI; find your local IFI at nacca.ca
How NorthGrants helps with Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP)
Most business owners read about Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building an application that actually wins.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.