JEDI — Indigenous Business Incubator Program ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Indigenous entrepreneurs (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) - Owners of new businesses (pre-revenue to early-stage) - Sole proprietors and partnerships with Indigenous ownership - Indigenous-led startups and micro-enterprises - Individuals with business ideas in development phase ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable funding/support program - Funding Structure: In-kind services (no direct cash disbursement) - Covered Components: - Weekly training sessions (no participant cost) - Business coaching and mentorship (no participant cost) - Guest speaker programming (no participant cost) - Financial resource connections (advisory services) - Capital-raising guidance (advisory services) - Matching Requirements: None specified; fully funded program - Repayability: Non-repayable (services-based support, not a loan) ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses This is a service delivery program; participants do not directly spend grant funds. Support covers: - Business fundamentals training - One-on-one coaching and mentorship - Indigenous entrepreneur networking and speakers - Financial literacy and capital-raising strategy advice - Connection facilitation to lenders, investors, and funding sources ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Eligibility Requirement: Must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) - Business Stage: New or early-stage only (not established businesses) - Participation Commitment: Regular attendance at weekly training sessions expected - Timeline: Ongoing program intake (specific cohort lengths not detailed) - Key Milestones: Progressive training modules; coaching intensity based on business stage - Deliverables: Participants expected to develop business plan and capital-raising strategy by program completion