NADF Indigenous Women in Business Program
Get up to $25,000 in combined financing and training to grow your Indigenous women-led business in Northern Ontario, structured as 5% your contribution, 45% a non-repayable grant, and 50% a repayable loan at 5% interest over up to 5 years. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026.
How we verify funding records →
“The IWE Program provides funding, tools, business support, and training to help Indigenous women entrepreneurs take the next step in their business journey.”
Before you spend a dollar
Apply early as funding is limited and availability is not guaranteed.
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 entrepreneur operating within NADF's service area in Northern Ontario.
- You need smaller financing for a start-up or expansion and may lack access to traditional bank loans.
- You want practical business training and tools alongside your funding to help your business succeed.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not an Indigenous woman or your business is not Indigenous-owned.
- You are located outside of Northern Ontario or NADF's specific service area.
- You are looking for a guaranteed grant with no repayment, as this is primarily a loan program.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $25,000 in total project cost, typically 5% your contribution, 45% a non-repayable grant, and 50% a repayable loan (5% interest, up to 5-year term), aimed at start-ups and expansions.
What may be supported
- Start-up costs for new Indigenous women-led businesses
- Expansion costs for existing Indigenous women-led businesses
- Purchase of business tools and equipment
- Training and support costs associated with the program
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must complete NADF's financing application process and intake for the women's program.
- 01Visit the NADF women in business program page at http://www.nadf.org/women-in-business.
- 02Review the financing application requirements at https://www.nadf.org/financing-application.
- 03Prepare your business plan and financial documents for the intake process.
- 04Submit your application through NADF's financing process.
- 05Confirm specific loan terms and grant availability directly with NADF.
Who to ask: not stated on the program page
Documents commonly required
- Business plan or expansion proposal
- Financial statements or projections
- Proof of Indigenous ownership and women-led status
- Proof of location within NADF service area
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your professional website and online store with the loan funds, giving your new venture a credible digital home that attracts customers and builds trust from day one.
- BBN designs your storefront signage and branding, coordinating with qualified partners to create a welcoming physical presence that draws more foot traffic to your location.
- BBN sets up your Local SEO and Google Business Profile using the loan, helping your business appear prominently when local customers search for your services.
- BBN implements a modern POS and booking system with the loan capital, streamlining your daily operations and saving you time so you can focus on growing your customer base.
- BBN guides you through the application and training requirements so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- This is primarily a repayable loan, not free money.
- The loan portion carries 5% interest and may be repaid over a term of up to 5 years.
- About 45% of the up-to-$25,000 package is a non-repayable grant; the rest is a 50% repayable loan plus your 5% contribution.
- Funding is limited and first-come-first-served logic may apply due to early application encouragement.
What are your odds?
Funding is limited and availability is not guaranteed; early application is encouraged.
Frequently asked questions
Is this money a grant or a loan?
It is a mix. On a total project cost of up to $25,000, about 45% comes as a non-repayable grant and 50% as a repayable loan, with 5% from you. The loan portion carries 5% interest over up to 5 years.
What is the maximum loan amount?
The program supports a total project cost of up to $25,000. About half of that (roughly $12,500) is the repayable loan portion; the rest is a 45% non-repayable grant and your 5% contribution. Confirm exact figures on the official NADF page.
What are the interest rates?
The loan portion carries 5% interest and may be repaid over a term of up to 5 years.
What you can combine it with
Can be combined with NADF's general financing or the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) program training.
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.