Table of contents

Overview

Our program and service providers help Alberta small businesses access:

  • advice and coaching
  • financing and training
  • information about market expansion and grant funding

Government programs

Programs offer support to Alberta entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Program Start-up support Advice and coaching Tax credits Training Market expansion
Alberta Export Expansion Program          
Canada-Alberta Job Grant          
Self-Employment Training Program          

Alberta Export Expansion Program

The Alberta Export Expansion Program provides funding support to Alberta small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, industry associations, Indigenous communities and economic development organizations promoting Alberta exports through outbound international business travel or bringing international buyers to Alberta.

Canada-Alberta Job Grant

The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is an employer-driven training program where employers and government share the cost of training new and existing employees to increase their knowledge and skills and meet the needs of Alberta’s changing economy.

Film and Television Tax Credit

The Film and Television Tax Credit offers a refundable Alberta tax credit certificate on eligible Alberta production and labour costs to corporations that produce films, television series and other eligible screen-based productions in the province.

Self-Employment Training program

The Self-Employment Training program supports unemployed and marginally employed individuals who have a viable business idea and require additional training to become self-employed.

Regional Economic Development Services

Regional Economic Development Services (REDS) specialists have local knowledge of the economic opportunities and challenges facing Alberta’s regions.

Alberta Purchasing Connection

Each year we purchase goods and services to operate from businesses like yours. The Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC) is a convenient online tool for the tendering of public sector opportunities for goods, services and construction. Alberta public sector purchasers use the APC to advertise procurement opportunities, while vendors use it to seek opportunities to sell their products or services.

Temporary foreign workers

Programs and resources for Alberta employers to hire, train and retain temporary foreign workers.

Indigenous supports

Programs and services for Indigenous (Métis and First Nations) entrepreneurs. Find a listing of contact information, resources and financing programs available for Indigenous business development.

Business development

Apeetogosan Métis Corporation

Apeetogosan provides a range of support including small business loans, grant, support service programs and business advisory services. Clients must be Métis, Inuit or Non-Status Indian.

Alberta Indian Investment Corporation

Alberta Indian Investment Corporation has financial and general business assistance for First Nation entrepreneurs on/off reserve.

Alberta Indian Corporation

Alberta Indian Corporation provides direct and indirect financing for Alberta Treaty (First Nation) individuals and groups.

Settlement Investment Corporation (Métis)

Access commercial debt financing and development of management skills through the Settlement Investment Corporation. Must be a resident of a Metis Settlement or corporation that a Métis settler owns at least 51% of the business.

Treaty Seven Economic Development Corporation

Treaty Seven Economic Development Corporation assists economic development of Treaty Seven members by providing loans to start-up a business located on/off reserve. This corporation is a Community Futures partner.

Grants

These programs provide equity (forgivable loans) assistance for the start-up or the expansion of small businesses for Métis and Status Indian individuals.

Métis Entrepreneurs’ Assistance Program

Status Entrepreneur Assistance Program

Service providers

Service providers support small businesses based in communities across the province with advice, services and support.

Program Start-up support Advice and coaching Financing Training Market expansion
Alberta Innovates          
ATB Financial          
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs          
Business Development Bank of Canada          
Business Link          
Community Futures          
Conseil de développement économique de l'Alberta          
Futurpreneur          

Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates provides access to programs, funding, business supports and research facilities to accelerate entrepreneurship and technology-based innovation across the province.

ATB Financial

ATB Financial provides coaching and advice at Entrepreneurial Centres. ATB also offers traditional loans as well as non-traditional lending options.

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) provides tools, workshops, resources and loans to women entrepreneurs. AWE also delivers PeerSpark, a business accelerator program, and NextStep, a business plan learning series for Indigenous women.

Business Benefits Finder

Government of Canada Business Benefits Finder searches for the right programs and services, whether you are starting out or scaling up, to support your business. The Benefits Finder is a tool that can help you find the federal and provincial program supports that you may be eligible to receive.

Business Development Bank of Canada

The Business Development Bank of Canada supports small and medium-sized businesses through access to financing, advisory services and capital.

Business Link

Business Link provides customized business advice and support for entrepreneurs navigating building, running and growing their own businesses. They provide one-on-one support and guidance, market research, access to experts, training, networking opportunities, and specialized support for Indigenous and immigrant entrepreneurs.

Community Futures

Community Futures has 27 locations across Alberta and provides small business support, including small business loans.

Conseil de développement économique de l'Alberta

Conseil de développement économique de l'Alberta (CDEA) offers support to Francophone entrepreneurs throughout the business life cycle, from start-up to succession. It provides help in establishing a business in Alberta, business model development, marketing and sales techniques, financial planning, training, networking activities and more.

Futurpreneur

Futurpreneur offers mentorship and loans to entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.

Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, EDC equips exporters with the tools you need to trade knowledge, financial solutions, equity, insurance, connections, and to grow your business with confidence.

Additional support

Alberta Corporate Tax Credits

Information on corporate income tax, tax credits and the Innovation Employment Grant.

Contact

Talk to a small business advisor at Business Link to get free advice and referrals to business supports by submitting your question online or contacting them directly:

Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-7722
Toll free: 1-800-272-9675 (Canada only)