Waubetek Business Plans and Business Valuations for First Nations Entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario
Waubetek Business Development Corporation’s Business Financing Program may provide up to 75% of the cost of business planning and of business valuations. The applicant provides 25% equity, and no commercial loan is required for these projects.
What Is Waubetek Business Development Corporation?
Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal-owned and controlled organization that delivers business financing and economic development services to First Nations and Aboriginal businesses in north-eastern Ontario. It is a member of Ontario’s network of Community Futures Development Corporations and of Canada’s Aboriginal Financial Institutions. Waubetek says it has provided business services and commercial financing to more than 3,000 Aboriginal businesses since 1989.
Through its Business Financing Program (BFP), Waubetek offers conditional contributions for capital projects and, separately, for business planning, business valuations, marketing, business support and mentorship. For those project types, BFP may provide up to 75% of the costs, the applicant provides 25% equity, and no commercial loan is required.
The valuation angle. Waubetek states that its Business Financing Program can contribute to the cost of a business valuation. If you are buying a business, an independent valuation supports the purchase price for you, your lender and the funder. Acadia Hill is a CBV firm and prepares business valuations as well as business plans.
Waubetek at a Glance
- Aboriginal-owned and controlled; serving since 1989
- Serves 27 First Nations and off-reserve Aboriginal entrepreneurs in north-eastern Ontario
- Business planning: up to 75% (25% applicant equity)
- Business valuations: up to 75% (25% applicant equity)
- BFP capital contributions up to $99,999 (individuals), $250,000 (First Nation communities and businesses)
- Term loans up to $500,000; minimum 10% unencumbered equity
- Métis applicants are referred to the Métis Voyageur Development Fund
Waubetek Financing for First Nations Entrepreneurs
Waubetek combines conditional contributions, loans and business support. A Business Development Officer explains how to proceed with a full application.
BFP: Business Planning
Conditional contribution toward the cost of developing a business plan. No commercial loan is required for this type of project.
BFP: Business Valuations
Conditional contribution toward the cost of a business valuation. Also available for marketing, business support and mentorship.
BFP: Capital Projects
Conditional contributions as a percentage of total project costs to establish, expand or acquire a business. Requires 10% equity and commercial financing.
Term Loans
Business loans to establish, expand or purchase a business in north-eastern Ontario. Client equity of 10% from unencumbered funds.
Bridge Financing
A temporary loan to carry a project until confirmed funds arrive from third-party lenders or government agencies.
Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur Program
Micro-loan financing and business support for Indigenous women entrepreneurs. Waubetek’s program pages set out the current loan and non-repayable split.
Waubetek Eligibility
The Business Financing Program is available to First Nation, Inuit and non-status applicants located in north-eastern Ontario. Proof of Indigenous heritage is required. Métis citizens apply to the Métis Voyageur Development Fund.
Waubetek works with 27 First Nation communities and with Aboriginal entrepreneurs off-reserve. Its service area follows Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie through Sudbury and North Bay to Mattawa (including Manitoulin Island), Highway 11 north to Temagami, and Highways 69 and 400 south to Orillia and Barrie.
All clients must have at least 10% unencumbered equity, and may need more based on their net worth. For business planning and valuation projects, the applicant provides 25% equity.
- First Nation, Inuit or non-status applicant
- Located in Waubetek’s north-eastern Ontario service area
- Proof of Indigenous heritage
- 25% equity for business planning or valuation projects
- At least 10% unencumbered equity for loans and capital projects
- Commercial financing for capital projects
What Waubetek Asks for in a Business Plan
Waubetek publishes business plan terms of reference. These are the key areas it says a plan should include, along with the documents for an initial review.
Executive Summary & Management
An executive summary, the organization and management, the operating strategy, and human resources: the employees you have and the number you will need.
Market Analysis & Marketing Plan
Market size and growth, product line, competition, competitive advantage, pricing strategy and promotion strategy, highlighting current or potential contracts.
Financial Plan
Capital requirements with all costs detailed, financing sources (client equity, loan and other), a monthly pro forma cash flow for year one, and pro forma income statements and balance sheets for three years.
Regulatory Considerations
Local and provincial regulations that apply to the business.
Initial Application
An application, résumé, project summary, documentation of Aboriginal ancestry, driver’s licence and birth certificate, and confirmation of your cash equity.
The Right Form
Waubetek has a separate financing application for business plan or business support projects, alongside its general business and marketing applications.
Business Financing Program Categories
Waubetek lists these categories for BFP conditional contributions. Contributions stay within the program’s overall limits, and a Business Development Officer confirms what applies to your project.
Business Planning (75%)
Up to 75% of the cost, with 25% applicant equity. No commercial loan required.
Business Valuations (75%)
Up to 75% of the cost, with 25% applicant equity. No commercial loan required.
Marketing (75%)
Up to 75% of marketing costs, with 25% applicant equity.
Business Support (75%)
Up to 75% of business support costs, with 25% applicant equity.
Mentorship (75%)
Up to 75% of mentorship costs, with 25% applicant equity.
Capital Projects
A percentage of total project costs, up to $99,999 or $250,000. Requires 10% equity and commercial financing.
How Acadia Hill Supports Your Waubetek Application
Acadia Hill prepares business plans built around Waubetek’s terms of reference, including a monthly cash flow for the first year and three years of projected income statements and balance sheets. See our business plan services.
If you are buying a business, we can also prepare an independent business valuation. Waubetek’s BFP lists business valuations among the costs it may fund at up to 75%.
We provide a written quote and scope you can include with Waubetek’s business plan or business support application.
Estimate your funding with our Indigenous funding calculator, or compare programs across Canada on our Indigenous business plans page.
What You Receive
- Business plan following Waubetek’s terms of reference
- Monthly cash flow for year one
- Three-year income statements and balance sheets
- Market analysis and marketing plan
- CBV business valuation for acquisitions (if needed)
- Written quote and scope for your application
From First Call to a Waubetek-Ready Plan
The steps follow Waubetek’s own process: an enquiry, an application, and review by a Business Development Officer.
Free Consultation
Talk through your project with us, and contact a Waubetek Business Development Officer to confirm eligibility.
Application
Submit Waubetek’s business plan or business support application with Acadia Hill’s quote and your 25% equity confirmation.
Plan or Valuation
Once approved, we prepare the plan or valuation and review the draft with you by phone or Zoom.
Financing Request
Final documents delivered, ready for your financing request to Waubetek.
Waubetek Business Plan Pricing
If Waubetek’s BFP funds 75% of a $5,000 business plan, your 25% equity would be about $1,250. Valuation fees depend on the business; we quote each one.
Full Business Plan
- Plan following Waubetek’s terms of reference
- Monthly year-one cash flow, three-year statements
- Market analysis and marketing plan
- Written quote and scope for your application
Business Valuation
- Independent valuation by a CBV firm
- Supports an acquisition price for you, your lender and the funder
- Written quote for your BFP application
Waubetek Business Plan & Valuation FAQ
Discuss Your Waubetek Business Plan or Valuation
If you are a First Nations entrepreneur in north-eastern Ontario considering Waubetek funding, start with a free, confidential conversation. We can scope the plan or valuation and provide a quote for your application. You can also contact us here.
- Phone 204-951-4751
- Email info@acadiahill.com
Waubetek Contact Information
Waubetek Business Development Corporation
PO Box 209, Birch Island, ON P0P 1A0
Phone: 705-285-4275
Email: waubetek@waubetek.com
Website: waubetek.com