Waubetek Business Development

What Waubetek Business Development does

Waubetek Business Development Corporation is a privately held Aboriginal Financial Institution (AFI) incorporated in Ontario, Canada and headquartered in Birch Island, Ontario. Founded in 1988, the company provides business financing, micro-loan financing (IWE for Indigenous women entrepreneurs, IYE for Indigenous youth entrepreneurs), the Business Finance Program (BFP), grant administration (E-Commerce Grant Program, Community Economic Grants), and a $1,000 Student Bursary Fund. Its service area is defined as Northeast Ontario, and eligibility requires Aboriginal majority ownership, geographic location in the service area, full-time active entrepreneurship, demonstrated education/experience, and a minimum 10% unencumbered equity contribution from the applicant.

Beyond core lending, Waubetek runs sector-specific community development initiatives: the Aboriginal Aquaculture program (under which it serves as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' lead delivery agent for the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative in Central Canada — Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta), the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy, the Aboriginal Mining Initiative, and a Student Bursary Fund partnered with 27 First Nations communities. The organization also offers an Indigenous Women Entrepreneur program delivered through dedicated webinars and micro-loans.

Waubetek generates revenue primarily through federal grant funding (notably FedNor) and program administration rather than loan interest spreads, and operates with 11-50 employees. Under long-tenured General Manager Dawn Madahbee Leach (since 1988, also Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board), Waubetek has cumulatively invested over $100 million in 3,500 Aboriginal businesses with a reported 94% business success rate, and has received the 2016 Northern Ontario Business Award of Excellence and the 2020 Indigenous Enterprise of the Year Award. The go-to-market model is relationship-based direct engagement by Business Development Officers and Aquaculture Development Officers, supplemented by workshops, webinars, an online financing application, and a basic website/social media presence.

Name

Waubetek Business Development

Legal name

Waubetek Business Development Corporation

Website

https://waubetek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal Financial Institution founded in 1988 in Birch Island, Ontario, providing business loans, micro-loans, grants, and sector development services (aquaculture, fisheries, mining) to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities across Northeast Ontario, and delivering the federal NICFI aquaculture program across Central Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aboriginal Financial Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (92115), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Aboriginal financial institution
• Business development financing
• Indigenous community lending
• Economic development services
• Micro-loan programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Birch Island

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Loans and Financing: Waubetek provides business financing and loans to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities for business start-ups, expansions, and acquisitions. The organization acts as an Aboriginal Financial Institution.
2. Grant Programs: Waubetek administers grant programs including E-Commerce Grant Program and Community Economic Grants for eligible Aboriginal businesses and communities.
3. Micro-Loan Financing: The organization offers IWE Micro-Loan Financing and IYE Micro-Loan Financing for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal Financial Institution that provides business financing (loans, micro-loans, grant programs) and economic development services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities in Northeast Ontario. Offerings include the BFP, IWE and IYE micro-loans, E-Commerce and Community Economic grants, Indigenous Women's Entrepreneur support, plus sector strategies for Aboriginal participation in mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.

Product overview

Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal Financial Institution providing financing and economic services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities throughout North-East Ontario. The organization offers a portfolio of financial products including business loans, micro-loans (IWE and IYE programs), grant programs (E-Commerce Grant, Community Economic Grants), along with the BFP program. These products are complemented by specialized sector development services in aquaculture (Aboriginal Aquaculture Services), fisheries (Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy), and mining (Aboriginal Mining Initiative), plus educational support through the Student Bursary Fund. Together, these offerings support business start-ups, expansions, acquisitions, and community economic development for the Aboriginal business community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Loans Financial assistance for business start-ups, expansions, and business acquisitions by Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities in Northeast Ontario.
• BFP (Business Finance Program) Comprehensive business financing program supporting Aboriginal entrepreneurs with multiple funding options for business development.
• IWE Micro-Loan Financing Micro-loan financing program supporting Indigenous women entrepreneurs with smaller capital amounts for business development.
• IYE Micro-Loan Financing Micro-loan financing program for Indigenous youth entrepreneurs to help start or grow their businesses.
• E-Commerce Grant Program Grant funding to help Aboriginal businesses establish or improve their e-commerce capabilities and online presence.
• Community Economic Grants Funding support for community economic development initiatives led by Aboriginal communities in Northeast Ontario.
• Indigenous Women's Entrepreneur Program Specialized program providing financing and support services specifically for Indigenous women entrepreneurs.
• Aboriginal Aquaculture Services Aquaculture development support including funding for sustainable aquaculture operations, hatcheries, and processing facilities. Delivers the NICFI program in Central Canada covering Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
• Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy Regional strategy identifying business opportunities in recreational and commercial fisheries as well as aquaculture for First Nations in North-East Ontario.
• Aboriginal Mining Initiative Strategy to assist in building capacity and engaging Aboriginal people in the mining sector, positioning Aboriginal businesses for mining supplies and services.
• Student Bursary Fund Educational student bursary award of $1,000 for registered members of partnering First Nations communities pursuing full-time Business, Accounting, or Economic degree or diploma programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% business success rate among supported businesses

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Fisheries and Oceans CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaubetek partners with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as the lead organization for an aquaculture initiative in Central Canada covering Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta through the NICFI program.
• Ontario Aquaculture Association (OAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOAA is the industry association for Ontario aquaculture farmers. Waubetek works with OAA to support Indigenous participation in the aquaculture sector.
• Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Aboriginal aquaculture organization that Waubetek collaborates with to advance Indigenous aquaculture development.
• Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational industry alliance representing Canadian aquaculture. Waubetek maintains connection through shared interest in Indigenous aquaculture development.
• Fleming CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFleming College offers aquaculture programs and Waubetek maintains educational partnerships. Senior Aquaculture Development Officer Nicholas Huber graduated from Fleming College's aquaculture program.
• National Indigenous Fisheries InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization focused on Indigenous fisheries that Waubetek connects with for resources and collaboration.
• Ulnooweg Development GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous development organization offering fisheries and aquaculture support that Waubetek collaborates with.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Waubetek-Business-Development-Corporation-73023140118
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waubetek-business-development-corporation
• Xx.com/waubetek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waubetek Business Development