What is Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP)?
Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is delivered by ISED / BDC as a grant + loan. Funding is typically up to $250,000 loan; grant amounts vary. This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Up to $250,000 loan; grant amounts vary |
|---|---|
| Cost share | 0% for grant portion |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Grant + Loan |
| Delivered by | ISED / BDC |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Open - Rolling |
| Last verified | 2026-06-11 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All sectors
- Eligible activities: Business startup, expansion, working capital, skills development
Watch out for
Non-Black majority ownership
Deadlines & how to apply
Extended with $189M over five years (2024 Fall Economic Statement). Components: Loan Fund (via FACE, up to $250K), ecosystem support through Black-led business organizations, and the Knowledge Hub. Must be majority Black-owned.
How NorthGrants helps with Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP)
Most business owners read about Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), 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.