Indigenous business resources in B.C.
Last updated on September 1, 2026Learn about business support services for Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners. These resources can support you through business startup and growth.
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Indigenous entrepreneurship
Indigenous peoples have a long history of entrepreneurship in British Columbia. From thriving fisheries to international trade economies, the entrepreneurial spirit has existed for centuries.
Indigenous owned and operated businesses are growing and succeeding in all sectors of our economy including:
- Technology
- Agrifoods
- Forestry
- Indigenous cultural tourism
Doing business on reserve
Contact your band office to learn about doing business on reserve. They can provide information about Indigenous organizations that may help and share details about funding opportunities.
You can also seek advice from:
Starting a business in B.C.
Explore resources for starting a business in B.C. Find topics ranging from evaluating your idea to securing the necessary registrations and permits before launch.
Indigenous business support services
Find out what Indigenous business services and supports are available in B.C. You can browse the table below or search by:
- Organization or program name
- The type of support you need, such as advisory services, business support, financing and loans, mentorship, or skills training
| Organization | Services |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Financial Institutions |
Provides information and advisory services for business planning, financing, loans and economic development opportunities throughout B.C. |
| Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program (ISET) | Provides advisory services, skills training and upgrading and job-search assistance. |
| All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO) |
Provides business financing, loans, commercial mortgages and advisory services for Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. |
| BC Business Advisory Services |
Provides free one-on-one advisory services, access to resources and guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities. |
| BC Indigenous Business Awards |
These awards celebrate and honour Indigenous businesses in B.C. Read about past awardees or nominate a business. |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
Provides business financing, loans and advice through the Indigenous Banking Department. |
| Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE) |
Provides skills training, advisory services and mentorship support. |
| Canadian Council for Indigenous Business |
Provides mentoring support, advisory services and financing for Indigenous businesses. |
| Community Futures Indigenous Entrepreneurship Offices |
Provides specialized services to support Indigenous entrepreneurship around B.C. at four dedicated offices. |
| Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program |
Provides startup loan financing, advisory services and up to two years of mentorship. |
| Indigenous Business Directory | Provides increased business visibility and procurement opportunities by registering on this federal government supplier database. |
| Indigenous Tourism B.C. |
Provides business support and training for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in B.C. who are operating or looking to start a tourism business. |
| Junior Achievement BC |
Provides entrepreneurship training and business support for Indigenous youth. |
| New Relationship Trust |
Provides business financing and loans, advisory services and economic development information for Indigenous enterprises in B.C. |
| Métis Nation BC |
Provides economic development information and a business registry for Métis businesses and entrepreneurs. |
| Peace Hills Trust |
Provides financing and loan services for Indigenous entrepreneurs. |
| SkilledTradesBC |
Provides trades skills training opportunities for Indigenous peoples and Industry Training Authority Apprenticeship Advisors. |
| WorkBC |
Provides Indigenous skills training programs, business advisory services, mentorship support and employment resources. |
| First Nations Equity Financing Program | Provides loan guarantees to help First Nations finance ownership in new and existing projects within their traditional territories. |
| Federal Indigenous business and economic development resources | Provides a listing of programs, business financing and loans, and business supports to increase business skills, invest in a business or develop land on a reserve. |
| Haida Gwaii Community Futures | Provides business financing and loans to support new and expanding Indigenous businesses on Haida Gwaii. |
| Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations | Provides business financing and loans, skills training and business support for Indigenous businesses in the central interior region of B.C. |
| Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation | Provides business financing and loans, business advisory services and planning resources for Indigenous businesses on Vancouver Island. |
| Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation (TACC) | Provides business financing, loans and funding programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs in the Coast Salish territory. |
| Stó:lō Community Futures | Provides business support, financing and loans, and mentorship for both new and growing businesses in the Stó:lō Traditional Territory. |
| Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) | Provides access to business financing and loans for Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada to start, expand or buy a business. |
| National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) | Provides loans, grants, and business advisory services through Indigenous financial institutions across Canada. Find a location near you. |
| Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP) | Provides loans for business activities from Haidi Gwaii to Burns Lake and Hatley Bay to the Yukon border. |
| Northern Development Initiative Trust | Provides funding, economic development programs, business support, capacity-building initiatives, and community development resources to support businesses, communities, Indigenous organizations, and economic growth across Northern British Columbia. |
Government of Canada's Business Benefit Finder
The Government of Canada's Business Benefit finder creates a personalized list of funding, loans, tax credits, wage subsidies, internships and more in less than three minutes.