CDEM Investment Fund
A repayable loan to start, expand, or diversify your Manitoba business. It is for businesses where Francophones own at least 50%, and you must have already tried other financing options.
Before you spend any money
The official page does not list intake dates or deadlines. Ask CDEM before you apply.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You own at least 50% of a Manitoba business and identify as Francophone.
- You need funding to start up, expand, or diversify your operations.
- You have already tried other financing channels without success.
Probably not the right fit if
- You do not meet the 50% Francophone ownership requirement.
- You have not yet attempted to secure funding through other reasonable channels.
- You are looking for a grant or non-repayable funding, as this is a loan.
How much you'd realistically get
Ask CDEM how much you can borrow and on what terms before you apply.
What may be supported
- Start-up costs for new businesses.
- Expansion of existing operations.
- Diversification of products or services.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou start by contacting CDEM's Director of Business Services. Be ready to show that you already tried other financing.
- 01Confirm your eligibility as a Francophone owner with at least 50% interest in a Manitoba business.
- 02Document your attempts to secure funding from other reasonable sources.
- 03Contact Joel Lemoine, Director of Business Services at CDEM, via email or phone to make a loan request.
- 04Provide the required documentation and business details as requested by CDEM.
- 05Await review and confirmation of loan terms, including interest and repayment schedule.
Who to ask: Joel Lemoine, Director of Business Services - jlemoine@cdem.com, 204-792-8030
Documents commonly required
- Proof of Francophone ownership (at least 50% interest).
- Evidence of attempts to secure funding from other sources.
- Business plan or proposal for start-up, expansion, or diversification.
- Financial statements or projections (ask CDEM what they need).
What to know before you count on it
- This is a loan, not a grant, meaning the capital must be repaid.
- You must prove you have exhausted other reasonable financing methods before applying.
- The official page does not list interest rates, fees, or repayment terms. Ask CDEM before you apply.
- The program is specifically for Francophone-owned businesses in Manitoba.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on meeting the strict ownership criteria and demonstrating that other funding sources were unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Is this funding taxable?
As this is a loan, the principal amount is not taxable income. However, interest payments may have tax implications; consult a tax professional.
What is the interest rate?
The official page does not list the interest rate. Ask CDEM before you apply.
Can I apply if I own 40% of the business?
No. The program requires that the business be owned by one or several Francophones who hold at least a 50% interest.
What you can combine it with
You must try other funding sources before you apply to this fund. Ask CDEM if you can combine it with other programs.
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.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.