Who can apply

Applicants must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for the program:

• you’re a Black-led*, not-for-profit organization** located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba
• you’re an incorporated organization (federally or provincially) operating with a mandate, activities, and outcomes that focus on supporting members of Black communities in Canada
• you have the ability to deliver business support/advisory services and reach the Black entrepreneurship community
• you can enter into legally binding agreements

*Black-led organizations, for the purpose of this program, are defined as having both:

• a minimum two-thirds of leadership positions (directors, founders, etc.) in the organization primarily occupied by people who self-identify as Black
• a governance structure (Board of Directors, volunteer committees, advisory boards, eldership circles, etc.) primarily composed of people who self-identify as Black (minimum two-thirds)

**Eligible not-for-profit organizations include:

• incubators and accelerators
• innovation hubs
• business and entrepreneur support organizations
• organizations that support social enterprises or cooperatives

Organizations can apply on their own or with partners. If applying with partners or as a consortium, the application must include signed letters of support from each partner. These letters should describe the partner’s role, contributions, and relevant experience. Partner organizations may be Black-led or non-Black-led.