Nunavut small businesses
typically less than $500,000 in annual gross sales or fewer than 10 employees
Services
Nunavut Small Business Support Program (SBSP)
Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation program providing contributions to new and existing Nunavut small businesses through three funds: the Small Business Opportunities Fund (planning, start-up, expansion and marketing activities, including market development and product launch into new markets and trade show participation), the Entrepreneur Development Fund (business skills and capacity building) and the Sustainable Livelihood Fund. Market development and product launch into new markets, including developing contacts in local and export markets, is supported up to 70% of eligible costs.
Overview
Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation program providing contributions to new and existing Nunavut small businesses through three funds: the Small Business Opportunities Fund (planning, start-up, expansion and marketing activities, including market development and product launch into new markets and trade show participation), the Entrepreneur Development Fund (business skills and capacity building) and the Sustainable Livelihood Fund. Market development and product launch into new markets, including developing contacts in local and export markets, is supported up to 70% of eligible costs.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant (contribution) |
| Level | territorial |
| Region | Nunavut |
| Administrator | Department of Economic Development and Transportation (Government of Nunavut) |
| Cost share | 70% |
| Max per project | $25,000 |
| Intake status | Open - applications accepted through regional operations offices and Economic Development Officers |
| Non-US bias | Market development into new markets including export markets; no US restriction |
Eligibility
Nunavut residents and businesses complying with the legal requirements to carry on business in Nunavut
Applicants must hold a valid business licence and may be required to show capability through business skills training or past business success
What it covers
Small Business Opportunities Fund
market development and product launch into new markets, including trade show participation and developing/maintaining contacts in local and export markets (up to 70% of eligible costs)
Small Business Opportunities Fund
business planning, feasibility and engineering studies, legal and regulatory costs (up to 75% of eligible costs)
Small Business Opportunities Fund
demonstration or pilot projects to test new technology (up to 80% of eligible costs)
Small Business Opportunities Fund
capital assets (buildings, land, equipment, leasehold improvements) (up to 50% of eligible costs)
Small Business Opportunities Fund
working capital gaps during start-up or major expansions (maximum assistance $25,000)
Entrepreneur Development Fund
entrepreneurship and business skills training, business aftercare and capacity building
Sustainable Livelihood Fund
support for harvesting and related livelihood activities
Market and diversification rules
Market development assistance requires a three-year marketing plan showing how the contribution will help penetrate a new market or market a product
Cost-sharing maxima vary by activity type (70% market development, 75% planning, 80% demonstration/pilots, 50% capital)
How to apply
Contact the Regional Operations Office nearest you or a community Economic Development Officer to discuss the project
Complete the Small Business Support Program application for funding form
Submit the application with project details, budget, and funding sources
Stacking notes
Applicants must disclose all sources of project funding, including loans from Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and other agencies
Notes
The Small Business Opportunities Fund is the key fund supporting export market development and trade show participation in Nunavut
Nunavut has no province-wide export grant program; federal support is available through CanNor (IDEANorth, Regional Tariff Response Initiative)
Complementary financing is available from Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (loans up to about $1,000,000) and the Nunavut Development Corporation
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call