We track 13 open programs for New Brunswick businesses. Most of the money comes from federal regional programs, the province pays for buildings and energy, and city programs pay for storefront work.
ACOA's Business Development Program
ACOA's Business Development Program offers interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions: up to 50% of capital costs for starting or expanding, and up to 75% of business-growth activities such as training, marketing and productivity work. It is not a grant; you repay it. Banks do not lend on interest-free, unsecured terms, and for a first business that difference matters most.
Building and energy retrofits: up to $1.25 million
The Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program runs up to $1.25 million per entity: energy audits covered up to 100% (caps from $1,100 to $8,000 by building size), electricity-saving measures paid at $120 per gigajoule saved up to $250,000 a fiscal year, and non-electric measures at 25% of eligible costs up to $1 million. If your start involves a building, a restaurant fit-out or a shop renovation, this program can make a big difference to your budget.
Moncton storefront grant
Moncton's downtown beautification grant pays for storefront improvements on a cost-share basis. Only Moncton businesses can apply. Your application must be approved before the work starts, and it must include written quotes. Applying early in the budget year gives you a better chance.
Loans and contributions for Indigenous entrepreneurs
Indigenous entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada can borrow through Ulnooweg's lending programs: micro-loans up to $5,000 at 9.25%, women-and-youth loans up to $25,000 at 8% over five years, and general lending up to $750,000 for individuals. The Aboriginal Business Financing Program also offers non-repayable contributions: up to 75% of business-planning costs and up to 40% of establishment and expansion.
National loan programs
Four national programs are open to businesses anywhere 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 plan for it in 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 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.