LRCC — Metis Women Entrepreneurship Program
Grow your Manitoba business with up to $40,000 in combined grant and loan funding from LRCC. You must pay costs upfront and wait for reimbursement, so ensure you have the cash flow to cover expenses before spending. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026.
How we verify funding records →
“This program offers up to $40,000.00 in financing composed of a grant and loan.”
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come BEFORE you spend; costs incurred prior to approval are not eligible, so apply 2-3 months before starting.
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 a Red River Métis woman who owns at least 51% of a business based in Manitoba.
- You have the cash flow to pay for project costs upfront, since the grant reimburses you after you spend.
- You need funding for eligible items such as equipment, leasehold improvements, or initial operating costs like rent and inventory.
Probably not the right fit if
- Your business is primarily a bar, liquor provider, gambling operation, payday lender, or tobacco retailer.
- You have already spent money on the project before getting approval, as pre-approval costs are strictly excluded.
- You are looking for funding for passive investments like real estate flipping or rental properties.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $40,000 total financing, split between a non-repayable grant and a loan.
What may be supported
- Purchase of machinery and equipment
- Leasehold improvements for your storefront or clinic
- Initial operating costs like inventory, insurance, and rent for the first 3 months
- Marketing and promotional materials including website development and signage
- Bookkeeping and legal fees for start-up businesses
What's excluded or restricted
- Businesses with a primary focus of providing liquor (bars/alcohol providers).
- Gambling businesses (including VLTs).
- Sexually exploitative or explicit enterprises.
- Pawnshops.
- Payday loans.
- Tobacco retailers or manufacturers.
- Passive investments (e.g., real estate, apartment buildings/complexes, or businesses managed by someone else for the owner).
- Purchase of real estate for income generation (flipping homes, rental property).
- Non-business related reasons (e.g., purchase of a home, personal vehicles).
- Assets perceived to be for personal use (e.g., cars or pick-up trucks) are not eligible for grant funding (though may be eligible for loan financing).
- Industries that may be of harm to the Red River Métis Community.
- Businesses located out of the Province of Manitoba.
- Refinance of existing debts.
- Non-arm’s length transactions.
- Any assets purchased above fair market value.
- Any project costs incurred prior to funding approval.
- Costs already incurred by the business owner(s) prior to approval.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must gather detailed documentation including proof of Métis heritage, financial statements, and quotes, and wait 4-6 weeks for processing.
- 01Contact LRCC staff directly to discuss your project and request the required application documents.
- 02Complete the MWE Grant & Loan Application Form and the Personal Statement of Affairs form for each owner.
- 03Gather all required documentation, including proof of Métis heritage, financial statements, and quotes for estimated costs.
- 04Register your business on the LRCC Business Directory.
- 05Submit your completed application and all checklist items to LRCC via email, mail, or in person.
Who to ask: Phone: 204-589-0772 or Toll Free: 1-800-387-6004; Email: info@lrcc.mb.ca; Address: 2100-333 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3C 4E2
Documents commonly required
- Proof of Métis Heritage (MMF Citizenship card or genealogy docs)
- Business Plan and Business Registration Documentation
- Quotes for estimated project costs
- Proof of 5% Cash Equity (bank statements or gift letter)
- CRA Notice of Assessments (previous 2 years)
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your professional website and online store using the marketing budget, giving your business a digital storefront that attracts customers while you handle the physical build-out.
- BBN designs and coordinates high-impact signage with qualified partners, so your storefront stands out and draws foot traffic from day one.
- BBN sets up Local SEO and Google Business Profile so local customers can find you on maps and in search results.
- BBN helps you manage the application and deadlines so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- You must pay the full cost first and wait for reimbursement, so you need strong cash flow to cover expenses upfront.
- There is a $75 processing fee for approved loans, applied at the time of disbursement.
- The grant portion is generally taxable income, so ask your accountant how this affects your tax return.
- You must provide at least 5% of total project costs in non-borrowed cash equity.
What are your odds?
If you meet the strict ownership and eligibility criteria and apply before the budget runs out, approval is likely, but the real risk is starting too early or submitting an incomplete application.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have the cash to pay for the project before I get the grant?
Yes. The grant reimburses you after you spend, so you must have the cash flow to cover the full cost upfront.
Can I use this funding for a vehicle?
Assets perceived to be for personal use, like cars or pickup trucks, are not eligible for grant funding, though they may be eligible for loan financing.
How long does it take to get approved?
Processing takes up to 4-6 weeks once all documentation is received, so apply 2-3 months before you plan to start.
Is the grant money taxable?
The reimbursed grant portion is generally taxable income, so ask your accountant for specific advice.
What you can combine it with
This program can often be stacked with other provincial or federal grants, but confirm with LRCC that the other funding source does not cover the same eligible costs.
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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 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.