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$10,000 Grant Opportunity for BIPOC small businesses across Canada. Application closes on December 13th, 2023.
For the third straight year, American Express Canada, a global service and integrated payments company that provides customers with access to products, insights, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success, is now accepting applications for its BLUEPRINT BACKING BUSINESSES mentorship and grant program.
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About the Program
Blueprint: Backing Businesses is a mentorship and grant program designed to support the advancement of small business owners who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) across Canada.
Fifty(50) selected small business owners will participate in a comprehensive 12-week mentorship program to provide the tools, resources, and community to help entrepreneurs thrive, as well as a CAD 10,000 grant to help take their business to the next level.
The grant program is powered by DMZ and was created in consultation with community organizations. The program is made possible by a grant from the American Express Foundation.
Available Funding
Total grant funds of CAD 500,000 to 50 selected BIPOC small businesses in Canada. $10,000 per participant.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible, the small business owner/applicant must
Identify as a member of the Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour community.
Be a Canadian citizen, a Permanent resident of Canada, or Hold Current and Valid Authorization under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Be a founder, owner, or hold a senior position within a privately held, for-profit company, where the company is at least 50% owned by owners or founders who identify as members of the Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour community.
Have a business incorporated in Canada, where the business is primarily operated and managed in Canada, with a maximum of $500,000 CAD in annual revenue.
Be currently active in the Canadian market or have been previously active in the Canadian market (i.e., made sales and/or have an existing customer base.
Speak English or French fluently.
Not be selected for the 2021 and 2022 programs. Participants chosen for prior years are not eligible to re-apply to the program in 2023.
You can view FAQs and additional information about the program here.
HOW TO APPLY
For more information on the grant program, view the original article on the American Express website. Click the link below to navigate the site and submit your application.
DEADLINE
Applications for this program are due by Friday, December 13th, 2023.
As always, we will keep you posted on any relevant grant programs and contests for small businesses and organizations within the province!
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In the meantime, if you are looking for a place to find black-owned, indigenous-owned, and small businesses in Ontario, you can subscribe and be notified when our beta launches later this year.
