1. Which regions are eligible?

1. Nicola Valley
2. Sun Country
3. South Fraser
4. North Fraser
5. Sto:lo
6. Okanagan Similkameen
7. Thompson Country
8. Central Interior First Nations
9. Cariboo Chilcotin
10. North Cariboo
11. Fraser Fort George
12. Peace Liard
13. Stuart Nechako
14. Nadina
15. 16/37 (Terrace)
16. Pacific Northwest
17. Haida Gwaii

2. What makes a business eligible? 

• Small or medium sized
• Located in an eligible region and
  EITHER the owner's primary residence is in an eligible region
  OR the primary residence of at least 1 employee is in an eligible region

All eligible businesses receive unlimited free Workshops, unlimited free Peer Masterminds, and up to 10 hours Consultation services.

The opportunity to apply for a reimbursement of up to $5,000 for Training is only available to businesses that have grossed at least $15,000 in the 12 months prior to their application (or in the 12 months prior to the program launch).

3. What makes a not-for-profit eligible? 

All not-for-profits are eligible for unlimited free Workshops, unlimited free Peer Masterminds and up to 10 hours of free Consulting Services. The $5,000 Training Reimbursement is only available to Enterprising Not-for-Profits. An Enterprising Not-for-Profit must:

• Earn revenue through the sale of a product or service
• Have a minimum of 1 paid employee attached to revenue-generating activities

Not eligible: Not-for-profits funded primarily through donations and grants and are not dependent on their business activities for sustainability.

4. Are First Nations Band-Owned businesses eligible?

Yes 

5. Are startups and micro-businesses eligible?

Startups, individuals exploring entrepreneurship, and businesses earning less than $15,000 in gross sales in the 12 months prior to their application are eligible for unlimited free Workshops, unlimited free Peer Masterminds and up to 10 hours of free Consultation Services. They cannot apply for the $5,000 Training Reimbursement.

6. Who is not eligible? 

• Municipalities
• Regional Districts
• Charities & Non-Enterprising Not-for-Profits
• Churches / faith organizations
• Membership driven organizations i.e., business improvement areas, chambers of commerce, associations.
• Itinerant businesses - i.e., businesses with ownership and head offices in another region. An exception applies, refer to FAQ #1. 
• Banks and financial companies, including pawnbrokers, payday loan, cheque caching and white label cash machines. 

7. Who can I connect with for more information?

Each eligible region has a Program Ambassador to help with your questions, help navigate our website and application process, and point you in the direction of additional resources and supports.