The Government of Canada is investing $5.6 million to expand support for Black entrepreneurs across Alberta, providing greater access to business training, mentorship, advisory services, and other resources designed to help Black-owned businesses start, grow, and scale.
The investment was announced on June 26, 2026, by Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, during the Black to the Future Summit in Edmonton. The funding is part of the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Program, which aims to address longstanding barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs, including access to financing, mentorship, professional networks, and business development resources.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Across Alberta
The new investment will support three organizations delivering programs for Black entrepreneurs across the province.
The largest allocation, $2.6 million, will go to the Council for the Advancement of African Canadians (Africa Centre) in partnership with Canadian Imperial Advantage and The Nod Foundation. The organizations will expand ACT, a province-wide initiative offering coaching, business advisory services, digital skills training, and support for entrepreneurs seeking investment and opportunities to enter new markets.
The BIPOC Foundation will receive $1.5 million to expand its Founders Hub. The program provides entrepreneurs with support in areas such as business planning, financial forecasting, mentorship, investor readiness, and market access.
Another $1.5 million will go to the Black Canadian Women in Action Society to strengthen entrepreneurship programs supporting Black women across Alberta.
Creating More Opportunities for Growth
For many entrepreneurs, having a strong business idea is only the beginning. Access to professional networks, financial knowledge, mentorship, and guidance can play an important role in turning an idea into a sustainable business.
The new funding is intended to strengthen that support system for Black entrepreneurs in Alberta. Rather than focusing solely on financial assistance, the programs will provide entrepreneurs with practical tools and knowledge to help them navigate different stages of business development.
The federal government estimates that the investment will support approximately 950 businesses, train 720 participants, help create, maintain, or expand 302 businesses, and contribute to an estimated 280 jobs across Alberta.
Addressing Barriers to Black Entrepreneurship
The investment also reflects a broader recognition that Black entrepreneurs can face barriers that affect their ability to access capital, mentorship, professional networks, and opportunities for business growth.
The federal Black Entrepreneurship Program was established to strengthen Canada’s Black business ecosystem through initiatives focused on access to capital, ecosystem support, and knowledge and research. The program was designed to help address systemic barriers while creating stronger conditions for Black-owned businesses to succeed.
Investments at the community and regional level can help ensure that these supports are accessible to entrepreneurs who may otherwise have difficulty finding the resources they need.
Strengthening Alberta’s Economy
Black entrepreneurs are contributing to Alberta’s economy through businesses operating across a wide range of sectors. Supporting these entrepreneurs can have benefits that extend beyond individual businesses, including job creation, innovation, community development, and greater economic participation.
Minister Olszewski described Black entrepreneurs and businesses as important contributors to Alberta’s economy, highlighting their role in creating jobs, driving growth, and strengthening communities.
The investment therefore represents not only support for individual entrepreneurs but also an effort to strengthen the broader ecosystem in which Black-owned businesses operate.
A Step Toward Greater Economic Inclusion
Access to meaningful business support is an important part of building a more inclusive economy. Training, mentorship, advisory services, and opportunities to connect with investors and markets can help entrepreneurs overcome some of the barriers that can limit business growth.
For Black entrepreneurs in Alberta, the new federal investment provides additional resources to develop their businesses and pursue new opportunities.
As these programs expand, their impact will be measured not only by the number of entrepreneurs who participate, but also by the businesses that are created and strengthened, the jobs generated, and the opportunities that become available to Black communities across the province.
The $5.6 million investment is an important step toward strengthening support for Black entrepreneurs in Alberta and creating greater opportunities for Black-owned businesses to contribute to the province’s economic future.