Manitoba’s Black business community is expanding at a remarkable pace. Across Winnipeg, Brandon, and smaller centres, Black entrepreneurs are launching ventures in technology, food services, fashion, consulting, healthcare, and creative industries. The growth reflects both the entrepreneurial ambition within the community and the increasing diversity of Manitoba’s population, driven by immigration from across Africa and the Caribbean.
Yet the path is not without barriers. Access to startup capital remains a persistent challenge, with Black entrepreneurs reporting lower approval rates for traditional business loans and less access to informal investment networks. Navigating regulatory requirements, building professional networks in a new country, and finding culturally responsive business support are additional hurdles. The Manitoba government’s Black Entrepreneurs and Small Business Program — offering grants between $5,000 and $20,000 — is an important step, but demand far outstrips supply.
CBEE Prairies Manitoba’s Entrepreneurship Development Program was created to address these gaps. Through 10-week cohort-based programming, participants receive business coaching, financial literacy training, pitch preparation, and direct guidance on accessing government and private funding. The program also connects entrepreneurs with established Black business owners who serve as mentors and advocates. “The business idea was always there,” one participant shares. “What I needed was a roadmap and a community that understood the terrain.” Applications for the next cohort open seasonally. Contact manitoba@cbeeprairies.org for details.