We track 10 open programs for Alberta businesses.
Community Futures Alberta: loans up to $150,000
Community Futures Alberta lends up to $150,000, with no hidden fees and simple interest, through community offices across the province. It is set up for businesses a bank has declined, such as a first café, a small-town shop or a tradesperson starting their own business. Terms are set locally, so ask your local office for its terms.
Loans for women and Indigenous founders
- Women founders: Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) lends up to $150,000, typically at prime plus 2% to 4%, over terms up to five years, with a 0.5% administration fee at the formal application stage. AWE also gives business advice with the loan, which is very useful for a first business.
- Indigenous entrepreneurs: Community Futures Treaty Seven lends up to $25,000 per business with 10% equity in the deal, and the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation lends on flexible five-year terms.
These programs have stricter rules on who can apply. If you qualify for one, check it first.
City storefront and improvement grants
We track open municipal programs in Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, St. Albert and Airdrie: mostly storefront, signage and improvement money. Each city's grants are open only to businesses in that city, and they are cost-share: you get approved first, then you pay, then you claim the money back with invoices. The application asks for written quotes.
National programs open in Alberta
Four national programs are open wherever you are in Canada. The Canada Small Business Financing Program backs loans up to $1,150,000 through your own bank, with a 2% registration fee and term-loan interest capped at prime plus 3%. Futurpreneur Canada Side Hustle lends up to $25,000 to owners aged 18 to 39 who keep a full-time income for the first year, and the Futurpreneur Canada Core Start-Up Program combines up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur with up to $50,000 from BDC for up to $75,000 total, with two years of mentorship. BDC's start-up financing lends up to $150,000 once you have 12 months of operating history, so it is an option for your second year.
The three rules that decide whether you keep the money
- Approval comes before purchase. If you start the work before approval, most cost-share programs will not pay for any of it.
- Cost-share means reimbursement: you pay first and claim it back with invoices, so plan the cash.
- Grants are generally taxable income; borrowed money is not. Ask your accountant before you spend.
Most applications also want written quotes for the work before anything is approved.
Want the whole country on one page? See the startup funding map, province by province.