Ulnooweg Women and Youth Business Loans
Borrow up to $25,000 at 8% interest, repaid over up to five years, to start or grow your business. This is Ulnooweg's loan for Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs in the Atlantic provinces - money you repay, not a grant. Ulnooweg's separate ABFP program offers non-repayable contributions. Verified against the official source on July 3, 2026.
How we verify funding records →
“Loan amounts available up to $25,000, at a rate of 8% over a maximum 5-year term, with a 5% cash equity recommended.”
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come before you spend money; do not start your project or incur costs until you have written confirmation from Ulnooweg Development Group.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You are an Indigenous woman or youth entrepreneur (Status, Non-Status, Métis, or Inuit) in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
- You need up to $25,000 to start or grow a business and can repay it over up to five years.
- You want business support and guidance alongside the financing.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not Indigenous, or you operate outside the Atlantic provinces.
- You are looking for a grant - this is a repayable loan at 8% interest (Ulnooweg's separate ABFP offers non-repayable contributions).
- You need more than $25,000 - look at Ulnooweg's General Lending, which goes much higher.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $25,000, repaid over up to five years at 8% interest; the amount approved depends on your plan and capacity to repay.
What may be supported
- Starting or growing a business owned by an Indigenous woman or youth entrepreneur in the Atlantic provinces
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must complete a Client Inquiry Form and submit a full application package for assessment; pre-screening is required.
- 01Contact Ulnooweg Development Group at 1-888-766-2376 or via the online form to determine if your project is eligible.
- 02Complete the Client Inquiry Form online to initiate the process.
- 03Prepare your application package based on the guidance from the Client Services Officer.
- 04Submit the completed application package for assessment.
- 05Wait for the assessment decision before starting any work or spending funds.
Who to ask: 1-888-766-2376
Documents commonly required
- Completed Client Inquiry Form
- Proof of Indigenous status or heritage (as required by eligibility)
- Business plan or feasibility study (for planning grants)
- Detailed project proposal and budget (for expansion/marketing/support grants)
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your website and online store, putting the loan to work on a digital storefront that brings in customers.
- BBN sets up Local SEO and your Google Business Profile so local customers can find you when they search.
- BBN sets up your POS or booking tools with the financing, cutting the admin work of daily operations.
- BBN guides you through the Ulnooweg application and deadlines so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- It is a loan: you repay the full amount plus 8% interest over a term of up to five years.
- Approval is at Ulnooweg's discretion and depends on your business plan and capacity to repay.
- Details beyond the amount, rate and term are not published on the page - confirm fees and requirements with Ulnooweg.
What are your odds?
Approval is discretionary and based on your plan and capacity to repay; Ulnooweg pairs lending with business support, so a clear plan improves your odds.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay this money back?
Yes — this is a loan: you repay the full amount plus 8% interest over a term of up to five years. (Ulnooweg's separate Aboriginal Business Financing Program offers non-repayable contributions.)
Can I apply if I am not Status Indigenous?
Yes, the program is open to Non-Status, Metis, and Inuit entrepreneurs living and operating in the Atlantic provinces.
What happens if I spend money before getting approval?
You risk losing the funding. Approval must precede spending. Contact Ulnooweg Development Group to determine eligibility before you start.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is published, but confirm this with the administrator.
What you can combine it with
Check if you can combine this with other Indigenous-specific programs like the IWE or IYE programs, but confirm with the administrator first.
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated July 3, 2026; last verified July 3, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.