As of April 1, 2025, AIC awaits renewal of its ABFP funding.
WELCOME TO AIC
Aboriginal Impact Capital (AIC) helps accelerate Indigenous business in Ontario (Canada). AIC was established by its network of 4 southern Ontario headquartered Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) to manage shared programs/funds. This includes the Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP) that compliments IFI financing (loans) with conditional non-repayable contributions ("grants"). AIC does not offer any direct lending to client and IFIs are consulted on any ABFP funding.
how aic helps
- Connects clients with the correct IFI for financing (loans) and access to other funding;
- provides direct funding for minor marketing and professional advisory costs for eligible clients;
- identifies other sources of financing, funding or information for any business client.
What is an IFI and what do they do?
AIC partner Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs), are independent, Indigenous-controlled, community-based financial organizations that provide financing and support services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit businesses in Ontario. IFIs are the key source of financing and access to other complimentary financing and funding (including AIC's ABFP program, when/if available) in support of eligible Indigenous business.
Our IFI Network
Headquartered in Sarnia, Tecumseh Community Development Corporation (TCDC) services Eligible First Nation ("Status") clients in southwestern Ontario.
Headquartered on Six Nations, Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) services Eligible First Nation ("Status") clients in central Ontario, Niagara and the GTA. They also service Eligible Inuk/Inuit (recognized though Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami) clients throughout southern Ontario.
Headquartered in Stirling (eastern office) and London (western office), First Nations Agriculture & Finance Ontario (formerly IAPO) services Eligible First Nation ("Status") non-agriculture business in eastern Ontario, AND Eligible First Nation ("Status") agriculture business throughout Ontario*.
Headquartered in Ottawa, the Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) services Eligible Métis (MNO and others recognized by the Métis National Council**) throughout Ontario. Note that as of April 1, 2024 MVDF delivers their own version of ABFP program directly to Métis clients.
not sure which ifi?
Which IFI can serve you depends on your residency (where you and your business are physically located), ancestry documentation requirements and type of business (agriculture or non-agriculture) and cost types. Our IFIs serve Eligible First Nation (“Status”), Métis and, Inuit/Inuk Clients, mostly in southern Ontario*.
ELIGIBILITY?
Required Ancestry/Membership Documentation in our Network
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
You (or a verifiable parent or grandparent) hold a Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card") issued by the Government of Canada (Indigenous Services Canada).
Recognized Inuk/Inuit membership
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
You Hold Inuk/Inuit membership recognized though Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
Registered MNO Citizen or MNC recognized
Certificate of Indian Status ("Status Card")
Registered MNO Citizen or MNC recognized
You are registered as a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO); or, are a registered member of other Métis organizations recognized by the Métis National Council*.
* Other Métis organizations recognized by the Métis National Council, include: the Manitoba Métis Federation; the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan; the Métis Nation of Alberta; the Métis Nation of British Columbia; the Métis Settlements General Council; and, Métis Nation of the Northwest Territory, in addition to the Métis Nation of Ontario. Please note that as of April 1, 2024, Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) administers its own version of the ABFP fund for its Métis client.
personal CRITERIA
Age/Residency
Financial Capacity & Responsibility
Financial Capacity & Responsibility
- Individuals, who are residents of Ontario, at least 18 years of age and, who hold and provide of at least one of the above Ancestry/Membership Documents.
Financial Capacity & Responsibility
Financial Capacity & Responsibility
Financial Capacity & Responsibility
- You must demonstrate financial responsibility, the required minimum equity and, the ability to secure adequate commercial financing.
- When considering loans, an IFI will normally examine credit history.
- For AIC contributions, the required minimum equity Applicants must ultimately leverage and contribute toward their eligible project costs is the sum of 10% of eligible & supported capital costs; plus, 25% of eligible & supported non-capital and planning costs.
Qualifications
Demonstrate Need
Demonstrate Need
- Normally, Applicants with prior work and/or business experience providing transferable skills to the business can be considered for support.
- You should provide a resume and supporting documentation demonstrating key competencies (abilities/skills) enabling you to implement the project and successfully manage the business.
- You may be required to provide evidence of education and applicable accreditations, licenses or certifications required to work in the industry or location.
Demonstrate Need
Demonstrate Need
Demonstrate Need
- To be considered for support, you must clearly demonstrate that IFI financing and/or AIC non-repayable contributions are required to ensure anticipated results will materialize within similar time-frame and risk.
- Your financial resources, as well as the size, scope and complexity of your project may be considered in determining if financing and/or funding is needed.
- Please not that AIC considers lower contributions for previously funded Clients.
business criteria
For-profit Active Income
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
Majority Owned and Controlled
- Only for-profit enterprises, generating active business income (not income from passive investments) may be considered.
Majority Owned and Controlled
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
Majority Owned and Controlled
- The business must be at least 50% (or more) owned by eligible Indigenous applicants who are actively involved in the operations & essential to the successful management of the business.
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
The business must be physically located and operating in one of our IFI service delivery areas, normally southern Ontario (* Note: FNAFO Agriculture has expanded service-delivery areas).
Full-time
Registered Business Entity
Located in our IFI Service Delivery Areas
- The business must be considered by AIC or IFI to be intended to be a full-time activity and primary source of income.
Registered Business Entity
Registered Business Entity
Registered Business Entity
- The business must be registered, licensed and certified, as required by AIC or the IFI in the industry and/or jurisdiction(s) where the business will operate.
Viable
Registered Business Entity
Registered Business Entity
- Only businesses with a clearly viable business model can be supported. A solid business plan with financial projections and supporting documentation may be required.
- IFIs examine business models, security and other factors. You should discuss this with your IFI.
- Financial viability will be considered as demonstrated if you have been approved for financing from your IFI.
eligible project activities
Planning
Establish
Establish
- Enabling effective and timely decisions of applicants, funders, lenders and/or regulators. Common project activities include engaging professionals to assist with business plans, projections, valuations, acquisitions, design, engineering, jurisdictional compliance and environmental assessments.
Establish
Establish
Establish
- Starting a new business venture that is feasible to establish and financially viable. The merit of these projects are demonstrated by a solid business model as demonstrated by a business plan, financial projections, cost estimates and supporting market information.
Acquire
Establish
Expand/Improve
- Purchasing an established viable business in southern Ontario. Before funding can be provided for an acquisition, the purchase price of an acquisition must be validated by a valuation report followed by services from a lawyer to enable the transaction.
Expand/Improve
Professional (Management) Advisory
Expand/Improve
- Improve or expand the capabilities and capacity of an established business. Examples include expanded facilities or equipment, adoption of new technologies, implementing improved processes and practices and expanding the breadth of products and services.
Market Growth
Professional (Management) Advisory
Professional (Management) Advisory
- Enhancing the capabilities and capacity to market and promote a business while building the most effective and efficient channels that establish, maintain and grow relationships with customers and accelerate sales. This category is commonly referred to as "marketing".
Professional (Management) Advisory
Professional (Management) Advisory
Professional (Management) Advisory
- Enhance the capabilities and capacity of management. Most common examples involve accounting, tax and legal advisory. Other examples include memberships in professional bodies or industry associations, mentoring and specialized training. This category is commonly referred to as "business support".
other considerations (viability)
Track-record
- Businesses with a track-record of profitability, as demonstrated by their financial statements, are more likely to be considered viable than new businesses without a track-record. Applicants that lack key skills, experience and/or
New/Unproven Products & Services
- The most difficult businesses to demonstrate viability are those built around new and unproven (pre-commercialized) products and services (for example, new technologies, or "inventions"). Innovation is supported in Ontario by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).
Regulated Industries
- Some highly regulated industries may not be considered for support as their risk may be above the risk-tolerance level of lenders (IFIs) and funders (AIC). Some programs (including ABFP) may prohibit specific industries and activities from being funded.
High-risk Industries
- IFIs generally apply more scrutiny to certain industries, such as retail and hospitality.
types of projects (how activities/costs are grouped)
Planning Projects
- If needed, a separate (or preliminary) planning project can support the group of eligible planning activities and costs. These activities/costs are considered "non-capital" costs. Planning projects have their own budget and funding rates/limits.
Business Investment Projects
- Business investment projects group the non-planning costs under a single budget, split into two categories: "capital" and "non-capital" costs. Capital and non-capital costs have different ABFP funding rates and capital costs also require securing commercial financing, normally from an IFI.
- Capital costs: costs related to establishing, acquiring, expanding and/or improving a business.
- Non-capital costs: cost related to market growth and/or professional (management) advisory.
- Business investment project can be complex, funding both capital and non-capital costs, or be limited a to a single asset purchase or a single activity/cost category, such as marketing.
- Projects that include capital costs (for example, equipment, leaseholds, inventory, operating costs) should first be discussed with your IFI in order to determine the need for commercial financing. AIC cannot work with clients exclusively on projects with capital costs or projects with major non-capital cost. Major capital costs are those needing an ABFP contribution of greater than $25,000.
- Projects that include only minor non-capital costs, such as marketing and/or professional advisory, can be discussed by AIC who will then consult with the IFI. Minor capital costs are those needing an ABFP contribution of less than $25,000.
- Regardless of the size of the project and financing/funding needs, AIC is required to consult with the IFI before proceeding with any funding commitment.
eligible project costs & FUNDING
Planning
Business Investments
Business Investments
Planning costs are normally funded (reimbursed) through AIC's ABFP program at a rate of 75% with the balance of 25% funded by clients.
Business Investments
Business Investments
Business Investments
Capital costs are normally funded (reimbursed) through AIC's ABFP program at a rate of 40%*, 50% from commercial financing (normally from an IFI) and at least 10% client equity/cash. Non-capital costs are normally funded (reimbursed) through AIC's ABFP program at a rate of 75% with the balance of 25% funded by clients.
If you have questions please send us a message
Aboriginal Impact Capital (Headquarters)
16 Sunrise Court, Ohsweken, Ontario, N0A 1M0, Canada
Email info@aicap.ca Telephone (888) 625 - 0060
AIC does not respond to unsolicited enquiries from vendors or sponsorship requests.
Copyright © 2019-2025 Aboriginal Impact Capital