Government of Canada investment to strengthen opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and businesses across southern Ontario
FedDev Ontario investment supports nine organizations to help Black entrepreneurs and business owners build, grow and scale their businesses Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs make important contributions to southern Ontario’s economy through innovation, business growth and job creation. By supporting initiatives that break down barriers and create [...]
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FedDev Ontario investment supports nine organizations to help Black entrepreneurs and business owners build, grow and scale their businesses
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs make important contributions to southern Ontario’s economy through innovation, business growth and job creation. By supporting initiatives that break down barriers and create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and business owners, the Government of Canada is helping strengthen the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem and build a stronger Canadian economy.
Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a combined non-repayable investment of nearly $15 million to support nine organizations in southern Ontario: Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN), Aspire for Higher, Black Mentorship Inc., BlackTECH Hub, Carribean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, Durham Region Association of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs Inc., Nobellum Enterprise, Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy, and The Change Maker Innovation Hub.
As part of this announcement, Nobellum Enterprise, a not-for-profit, female-led social enterprise, is undertaking a $3.6-million project, with FedDev Ontario providing $1.2-million to deliver the CanBlack STEM Project. This project will provide Black STEM-focused businesses with commercialization support, mentorship, and market access opportunities – boosting growth, competitiveness, and innovation outcomes.
With funding through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, these organizations will deliver targeted business supports that help Black entrepreneurs and business owners build skills, access mentorship and networking opportunities, adopt innovative practices, and enhance their capacity to compete and succeed. Together, these projects will foster a more connected and resilient Black entrepreneurship ecosystem and create lasting benefits for communities across southern Ontario. For information on the projects, refer to the backgrounder.
The Government of Canada remains committed to strengthening the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem and supporting the long-term success of Black entrepreneurs and business owners, helping build a stronger and more inclusive Canadian economy.
Quotes:
“Black entrepreneurs and business owners are shaping a more dynamic and competitive economy across southern Ontario. Today’s investments will help organizations strengthen the programs, expertise and partnerships that entrepreneurs need to move their businesses forward, creating lasting benefits for communities across the region.”
- The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today, Nobellum has launched over 121 companies, generating more than $30 million in revenue for Black STEM ventures across Canada. The CanBlack STEM Project builds on that track record, giving us the infrastructure to do it again, at scale. With this investment from the Government of Canada, we’re not starting from zero. We’re taking a model that already works and equipping it with more intentional programming, facility access, commercialization and capital pathways to build the next generation of high-growth STEM companies.”
- Melisa Ellis, Founder & CEO, Nobellum Enterprise
Quick Facts:
- Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the Ecosystem Fund is a key component of the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), an initiative which aims to break down barriers and create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
- With funding through 2030, the Ecosystem Fund continues to empower Black entrepreneurs and business owners, and support their long-term success – helping to contribute to a stronger Canadian economy.
- Incorporated in 2020, Nobellum Enterprise (Nobellum) is a not-for-profit female-led social enterprise located in Toronto, founded to address equity gaps in entrepreneurship and innovation for Black communities.
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Nine organizations receive support to strengthen opportunities for Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs across southern Ontario
Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a combined non-repayable investment of nearly $15 million to support nine organizations in southern Ontario to expand entrepreneurship training, mentorship, business advisory services, technology adoption supports and market access opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and business owners across the region.
| Recipient Name | Project | FedDev Ontario Funding Contribution | |
| Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) | To scale an integrated entrepreneurship initiative that strengthens the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem by expanding training, access to small business funding, and regional support services. Incorporated in 2018 and based in Brampton, the Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) is a Black-led, not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the business capacity, capital readiness, and long-term growth of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses across southern Ontario. | $2,030,000 | |
| Aspire for Higher | To strengthen the Black healthcare entrepreneurship ecosystem by expanding access to business training, mentorship, digital adoption supports, and pathways to business ownership for Black healthcare professionals. Incorporated in 2015, Aspire for Higher is a not-for-profit in Ontario that advances health, economic prosperity, and long-term sustainability through education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community-driven programming. Aspire for Higher serves communities of all backgrounds, with a deep-rooted and continued commitment to strengthening outcomes in Black and other underserved communities. | $2,800,000 | |
| Black Mentorship Inc. | To deliver the HERizon Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program to provide Black women entrepreneurs with mentorship, business advisory services, skills-based training, and networking opportunities to strengthen business readiness, expand market opportunities, and support long-term business growth. Incorporated in 2020, Oakville-based Black Mentorship Inc. is a Black-led, national not-for-profit registered charitable organization dedicated to strengthening economic participation, leadership, and entrepreneurship within Black communities across Canada. | $1,195,776 | |
| BlackTECH Hub | To launch the Black AI Venture Accelerator (BAIVA), a structured venture development program that will empower Black entrepreneurs across southern Ontario to build, scale, and commercialize AI-enabled ventures, strengthening artificial intelligence adoption, competitiveness, and inclusive growth in Canada’s AI economy. Launched in 2018 and incorporated in 2021, BlackTECH Hub is a Black-led not-for-profit organization based in Mississauga and a community of more than 10,000+ members, with a mission to advance economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and digital competitiveness for Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and Black-owned businesses in southern Ontario. | $1,200,000 | |
| Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region | To expand the LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Program to support Black entrepreneurs through training, business incubation, mentorship, and investment-readiness programming to strengthen market readiness, improve access to growth opportunities, and help build and scale sustainable businesses. Incorporated in 1977, The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region is a Black-led, not-for-profit organization in Kitchener dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, community development, and inclusive growth. | $2,300,000 | |
| Durham Region Association of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs Inc. | To establish and deliver its Growth Space initiative as a regional backbone model that integrates training, mentorship, ecosystem navigation, and partner coordination for Black entrepreneurs, business owners, and youth. Incorporated in 2018, Durham Region Association of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs Inc. is a Black-led not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the economic empowerment of Black Canadians in Durham Region through entrepreneurship, leadership development, mentorship, and inclusive economic development supports. | $2,200,000 | |
| Nobellum Enterprise | To deliver the CanBlack STEM Project to provide Black STEM-focused businesses with commercialization support, mentorship, and market access opportunities to strengthen growth, competitiveness, and innovation outcomes. Incorporated in 2020, Nobellum Enterprise is a not-for-profit female-led social enterprise located in Toronto, founded to address equity gaps in entrepreneurship and innovation for Black communities. | $1,200,000 | |
| Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy | To deliver entrepreneurship supports, including business advisory services, cybersecurity, trade readiness, investment capital procurement, and scale-up support to improve sustainability, business growth, and competitiveness of Black‑owned enterprises. Incorporated in 2019, the Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy is a Black-led not-for-profit organization in Windsor that focuses on advancing inclusive economic development through diplomacy, leadership development, and workforce training for underrepresented communities, particularly Black youth and young professionals. | $800,000 | |
| The Change Maker Innovation Hub | To deliver a structured, cohort-based accelerator offering intensive entrepreneurship training, one-on-one mentorship and business advisory services, AI-enabled learning and diagnostic tools, mental health and wellness supports, ecosystem navigation, and market access opportunities to early stage Black entrepreneurs. Incorporated in 2023, The Change Maker Innovation Hub is a Black-led, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation for Black founders in Ottawa and across Ontario. | $1,175,000 |
Source : Government of Canada
