Small business funding in Northwest Territories
The territory's SEED program offers up to $25,000 a year in non-repayable funding for start-up, expansion, and market development, plus up to $75,000 in cost-share for larger strategic investments. Community Futures backs NWT businesses with term loans up to $200,000. Prosper NWT lends up to $5 million for bigger projects. BBN Labs helps you find the programs that fit and sends deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site. Run the funding fit check to see which programs may fit. We reply within 2 business days.
Local funding options
Most NWT funding runs through the territory's SEED program (Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development), delivered by ITI's regional offices. Its Entrepreneur Support stream gives up to $25,000 a year in non-repayable funding for start-up, expansion, and market development, Strategic Investments adds up to $75,000 in cost-share for larger projects, and the Sector Support Capital Expansion Incentive offsets up to $30,000 for businesses in Minister-designated sectors. You cover a share of the cost yourself and get approval before you spend, so plan the project first.
For bigger projects, Community Futures backs NWT businesses with term loans up to $200,000 and loan guarantees (plus wage subsidies for unemployed people starting a business). Prosper NWT lends up to $5 million for expansion, equipment, and new projects. Indigenous-owned businesses have dedicated support too, from the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program through CanNor partners to the Métis-Dene Development Fund. We show which programs fit the project you actually want.
City rules we checked
- The NWT's SEED Entrepreneur Support stream offers up to $25,000 per year in non-repayable funding for start-up, expansion, and market development. source ↗
- The Community Futures Program in the NWT provides term loans up to $200,000, plus loan guarantees and wage subsidies for unemployed people starting a business, delivered by local non-profit development corporations. source ↗
- Prosper NWT offers term loans up to $5 million for expansion, asset purchases, and new projects, with interest rates quoted at prime plus 2% to 4% depending on credit risk. source ↗
Notes reflect official sources as checked on September 24, 2026; programs change, so confirm with the administrator.
Programs
Funding programs for Northwest Territories
Every program shows its official source, what kind of help it is, and when we last checked it.
Community Futures Program Northwest Territories
Up to $200,000
Community Futures offices in the Northwest Territories offer loans, loan guarantees, wage subsidies and business counselling to help you start or…
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Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Entrepreneur Support
Up to $25,000
This territorial program helps NWT entrepreneurs fund start-ups, expansion, and market development.
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Prosper NWT: Term Loans
Up to $5,000,000
Prosper NWT offers term loans to Northwest Territories businesses to expand, buy assets, or start new projects.
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Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Strategic Investments
Up to $75,000
This program helps Northwest Territories businesses make large investments that create local jobs and business activity.
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Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
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BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
A federal non-refundable tax credit for employers who hire apprentices in Red Seal trades. It is worth 10% of eligible apprentice wages, up to $2,000…
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Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
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BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
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Funding by need
What funding can pay for in Northwest Territories
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Retail POS
Grants and loans that may help pay for point-of-sale systems and other store technology.
Funding for E-commerce
Grants and loans to help you launch or improve your online store.
Funding for Websites
Grants and loans to help you build or improve your business website.
Frequently asked questions
What funding can my Northwest Territories business get?
Most owners start with the territory's SEED program: up to $25,000 a year in non-repayable funding for start-up, expansion, and market development, up to $75,000 in cost-share for a larger strategic investment, and a Sector Support incentive worth up to $30,000 for businesses in Minister-designated sectors. Community Futures adds term loans up to $200,000, and Prosper NWT lends up to $5 million when you need more. We help you find the fit and send deadline alerts. You apply on each official program site.
Also see: all verified funding in Northwest Territories, the full funding list and our guides.