Annual Report
2009 Annual Report - click here

Business Equity Program

The Business Equity Program (B.E.P.) is a partnership between the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) and Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) in which NEDC delivers the ABC Program to Vancouver Island clients.

Many more Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities may now qualify for BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT support under new provisions of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Aboriginal Business Canada programming (ABC). Depending on the nature of your project, you may be able to obtain funding to assist with a wide range of activities (click on link ABC - at a Glance Fact Sheet below for more information). 

ABC - at a Glance Fact Sheet *subject to change

**NEW - Aboriginal Business Canada & YOU - Working with You to Succeed.  This Publication provides a step-by-step description of what's involved when you apply for assistance for your Business Proposal)

Click here for ABC & YOU.PDF

Eligibility

Participant eligibility is limited to Canadian status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, Metis, associations, partnerships or other legal entities on or off reserve, as well the applicant is required to:

  • Be nineteen years or older
  • Reside and operate or propose to operate the business on, or serviced from, Vancouver Island
  • Access term financing with each application with the exception of applications for business planning, feasibility studies and the implementation of a marketing plan

The Application Process

There are two ways to apply to the Business Equity Program:

The process through NEDC is as follows:

  • Contact NEDC office
  • After meeting with a Business Development Officer you will complete a BUSINESS PROPOSAL FORM (BPF) *previously named STATEMENT OF INTENT (SOI)
  • NEDC may conduct a credit check
  • The applicant will complete and submit a business plan
  • The business plan undergoes an in-house analysis
  • Once accepted, the business plan is submitted for approval to the delegated approval authority
  • If the request for a contribution is approved, the applicant will receive a Letter of Offer from NEDC

A project is monitored for the life of the agreement to ensure the client continues to meet their contractual obligations and to determine the success of the project.

NEDC also delivers the full Aboriginal Business Canada Program on Vancouver Island.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: INAC Claim Summary - PDF  

                                                                  INAC Detailed Eligible Costs - PDF