Waubetek — Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Loan Fund
Grow your business with a loan of up to $50,000 for Indigenous women in North-Eastern Ontario. This is a repayable loan, not a grant, so you must contribute 5% equity and get approval before spending.
“The application for Waubetek financial support is reviewed for completeness and is then screened for eligibility.”
From the official program page
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come BEFORE spending; purchasing goods or services before Waubetek approves the loan makes those costs ineligible for funding.
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 (First Nations or Inuit) woman who owns at least 51% of a for-profit business in North-Eastern Ontario.
- You need funds for equipment, working capital, or mentorship and can provide the required 5% cash or in-kind equity contribution.
- You are ready to apply and wait for formal approval before buying any equipment or services.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are a non-Indigenous owner, a Métis citizen, or a non-profit organization.
- You run a husband-and-wife partnership or do not hold majority ownership as an Indigenous woman.
- You have already paid for the equipment or services you want to fund, as this program does not reimburse past costs.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $50,000 as a loan (total financing package up to $100,000).
What may be supported
- Purchase of machinery, equipment, and leasehold improvements
- Working capital for inventory, payroll, and rent
- Marketing, advertising, and business promotion
- Digital development (website/e-commerce)
- Professional services (legal, accounting, technical support)
- Employee training and advisory services
What's excluded or restricted
- Renovations to personal living space unless strongly demonstrated as necessary for the business.
- Passive real estate transactions (land acquisitions) that do not create employment.
- Vehicle purchases primarily utilized for personal use.
- Refinancing of existing debt.
- General ongoing operation costs that should be financed through operations.
- Acquisitions without independent financial statements and a certified business valuation.
- Non-arm’s length transactions.
- Purchase of goods/services where commitment was made prior to loan approval without AFI approval in advance.
- Purchase of any assets for more than fair market value.
- Costs of amortization and goodwill.
- Owner’s salary.
- Businesses primarily involved in: smoke shops, liquor establishments, sexual exploitation, games of chance, payday loans, or passive investments (self-storage units, laundromats, investor only).
- Non-for-profit organizations.
- Government or municipal entities.
- Husband and wife partnerships.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must contact Waubetek first, submit a detailed application with ancestry documentation and equity proof, and wait for approval before spending.
- 01Contact Waubetek at 1-705-285-4275 or waubetek@waubetek.com to discuss criteria and eligibility.
- 02If eligible, receive the information package and prepare your documents (Resume, Project Summary, Ancestry Documentation, Equity Proof).
- 03Submit your application via the online 'Apply Now' portal or email.
- 04If approved, review and sign the Letter of Offer.
- 05Meet pre-disbursement conditions and purchase goods/services only after approval.
- 06Submit claim summary form, invoices, and proofs of payment to receive reimbursement or direct payment.
Who to ask: Phone: 1-705-285-4275; Email: waubetek@waubetek.com
Before you apply
Your lender will want to see what the money buys
A written quote for the project makes your application concrete and shows the lender exactly where the money goes. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Application form
- Resume
- Summary of Project
- Documentation of Aboriginal Ancestry (Status card, ITK letter, or birth certificate)
- Cash Equity Confirmation & Documentation
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your website and online store with the loan funds, creating a polished digital storefront that wins trust and drives sales for your Indigenous-owned business.
- BBN designs your marketing materials and runs digital ads using the financing, turning your budget into visible promotions that attract new customers in North-Eastern Ontario.
- BBN sets up Local SEO and Google Business Profile with the support, so local clients find you easily when searching for your services online.
- BBN coordinates qualified partners for equipment and leasehold improvements, designing the physical upgrades you need while you manage the loan funds for these costs.
- BBN helps you keep every step on schedule so a missed deadline or paperwork error never takes this funding off the table.
What to know before you count on it
- You must contribute 5% cash or in-kind equity for the Loan Fund; this is not free money.
- This is a 100% loan with no grant or forgivable portion, and it must be repaid.
- Reimbursement or direct payment only happens after you meet pre-disbursement conditions and submit invoices/proofs of payment.
- Husband-and-wife partnerships are explicitly ineligible due to ownership structure rules.
What are your odds?
Eligibility is strict regarding Indigenous status and ownership structure; if you meet the criteria, the process is structured but competitive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay back the money?
Yes. This is a loan, so the full amount is repayable. There is no grant or forgivable portion. You contribute 5% cash or in-kind equity, and you pay back the rest.
Can I use this for a business I already started?
Yes, for expansion or working capital, but you must have majority Indigenous women ownership and be in Waubetek's service area. The Mentorship Grant is specifically for pre-launch or early start.
What if I already bought the equipment?
You cannot get funding for costs incurred before approval. You must get approval first, then purchase, then submit invoices for reimbursement or direct payment.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is published, but confirm on the official page.
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What you can combine it with
Check if you qualify for the Metis Voyageur Development Fund if you are Métis, or other provincial grants, but ensure no double-dipping on the same costs.
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Worth reading before you apply
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 ; last verified 6 days ago with the official source. Source: official program page.