FedDev — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund in Southern Ontario

Building strong support systems is often just as important as providing capital to individual businesses. In Southern Ontario, organizations working to strengthen opportunities for Black entrepreneurs have been able to access significant support through the FedDev — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund. Delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, this initiative focuses on closing gaps in the entrepreneurial landscape by backing Black-led, not-for-profit organizations that serve Black business owners and founders.

Rather than funding individual companies, the Ecosystem Fund is designed to strengthen the broader infrastructure that entrepreneurs rely on. Supported projects have included mentorship networks, training programs, outreach initiatives, and capacity-building activities that help Black-led businesses start, scale, and sustain their operations. Funding can be substantial, ranging from roughly $120,000 to as much as $3 million, and is non-repayable. In many cases, the program has been able to cover the full cost of eligible projects, making it easier for organizations to deliver ambitious, high-impact services across Southern Ontario.

While the current intake is closed, the Ecosystem Fund remains a long-term component of the federal Black Entrepreneurship Program, with funding committed well into the future. For non-profit leaders looking to support Black entrepreneurs at a community or regional level, understanding how this program works, what types of initiatives are prioritized, and when future intakes may open is an important step in planning ahead.