Black Business Initiative

What Black Business Initiative does

Black Business Initiative (BBI) is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that supports the growth and sustainability of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across Canada. The organization delivers three core service lines: business advice and counselling (one-on-one advisory, workshops, courses, and mentorship), access to capital (loans and grants alongside connections to alternative funding), and resources and networking (knowledge, tools, and connections across the Black business community). Two signature programs anchor the portfolio: Business is Jammin' (BIJ), a 25-year-old youth entrepreneurship initiative serving Black youth aged 8-35 across Atlantic Canada, and the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI), a five-year federally funded program that provides capacity-building grants to Black-led non-profits nationally. Customer segments include current and aspiring Black business owners, Black youth, Black-led not-for-profits, and Black professionals.

BBI's revenue model is non-transactional: as a non-profit, the organization does not charge clients for services. Funding flows from federal agencies (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada), Crown corporations (Business Development Bank of Canada), major banks (RBC, RBC Future Launch), provincial bodies (Nova Scotia Business Inc., Invest Nova Scotia), and The Foundation for Black Communities. The organization has distributed $2.3M+ to client businesses over a seven-year period, supported 1,400+ entrepreneurs, trained 1,400+ participants in business skills, and served 4,500+ youth. Underlying technology is modest — a web-based Business Directory listing 100+ Black-owned businesses with regional and industry filters, and a multi-step Client Onboarding Platform — but the organization's primary delivery is in-person and partner-referred advisory, supplemented by B2B Magazine (a quarterly periodical at Issue 79) and a Spotlight Series of video profiles. Matthew Martel serves as President & CEO, and BBI observes a March 31 fiscal year end.

Name

Black Business Initiative

Legal name

Black Business Initiative

Website

https://bbi.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Business Initiative (BBI) is a Canadian non-profit founded in 1996 in Halifax that delivers business advisory, loans and grants, and networking services to Black entrepreneurs, youth, and Black-led non-profits across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Business advisory services
• Small business funding
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Youth business education
• Nonprofit community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government and Institutional Funding: BBI is a non-profit organization that operates through government funding partnerships (federal and provincial) and institutional support to provide free programs, services, loans, and grants to Black entrepreneurs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BBI is a non-profit organization that delivers business counselling, mentorship, training, and workshops to current and aspiring Black business owners, Black youth, and Black professionals across Canada. It also provides direct access to capital through loans and grants, facilitates networking opportunities, and operates the Business is Jammin' (BIJ) youth program and the federally funded Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) for Black-led non-profits. All services are provided at no cost to eligible clients and are funded through government grants and institutional partnerships.

Product overview

BBI is a non-profit business support organization (not a tech product company) that provides a unified portfolio of advisory services, funding programs, and community initiatives to help grow and strengthen Black businesses across Canada. The core offerings include Business Advice and Counselling, Access to Capital (loans and grants), and Resources and Networking. Key programs include Business is Jammin' (BIJ) for youth entrepreneurship, the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) for non-profit capacity building, and Non-Profit Grants. BBI also publishes B2B Magazine (quarterly), maintains a Business Directory of member businesses, and provides annual reports and financial statements. All services are delivered through personal advising, workshops, training, and online self-service intake forms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Business is Jammin' (BIJ): A province-wide charitable initiative that focuses on motivating Black youth and stressing the importance of education and personal development in all of its programs.
• Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI)
• Black to Business (B2B)

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed $2.3M+ to businesses over 7 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dalhousie UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development, providing educational resources and programs for Black entrepreneurs.
• Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNova Scotia's private sector-led business development agency supporting trade development and financing for Black businesses.
• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding inclusive and flexible access to education and industry-driven training for Black entrepreneurs across Nova Scotia.
• Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative and collaborative space supporting students and entrepreneurs with skills development and idea incubation.
• Futurpreneur CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding young aspiring entrepreneurs with loan financing, mentorship and resources to start businesses.
• Halifax Chamber of CommercemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness advocacy organization creating value and prosperity for members, supporting Black business community connections.
• The Board of TrademajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNewfoundland and Labrador's business advocate with 800+ members supporting Black business networking.
• The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowering Black-owned startups with loans, education and collaboration for economic growth.
• Centre for Women in Business (CWB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to helping women-identifying and gender diverse business owners succeed.
• Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFacilitating growth of minority owned businesses by connecting them to procurement opportunities.
• Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) BluewatermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPromoting economic development in rural communities through small business loans and counselling.
• Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivering innovative programs and services empowering individuals and communities to achieve their potential.
• Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecting people and resources to propel solutions and sustainable growth for Canada's marine sector.
• VoltamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlantic Canada's startup hub improving odds of creating valuable startups in the region.
• Ignite AtlanticmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs and communities spark meaningful change across rural Nova Scotia.
• Imhotep's Legacy Academy (ILA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-community partnership improving student success for Grades 6-12 students of African heritage.
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit empowering immigrants and refugees to build their futures in Nova Scotia.
• Africa CentremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProviding quality programming and access to services from a place of cultural awareness to diverse community families.
• Brilliant LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperiential learning platform empowering youth through integration of creativity, innovation and technology.
• Discovery CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBringing STEAM to life through fun and interactive learning experiences.
• EfficiencyOneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading efficiency enterprise supplying cost-effective energy efficiency services in Nova Scotia.
• Group 3737minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreating businesses and wealth through projects of ethnoculturally diverse individuals using professional expertise.
• Lighthouse Arts CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-level, multi-discipline cultural hub in downtown Halifax supporting Black arts and culture.
• MacPhee Centre for Creative LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to building a world where every young person can rise to their full potential.
• Stewart McKelveyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAtlantic Canada's largest law firm providing legal support and guidance.
• Tropicana Community ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProviding opportunities and alternative life choices for persons of Black heritage and individuals in need.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Futurpreneur Canada: National non-profit providing loan financing, mentorship and resources to young Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18-39. Operates a closely analogous model to BBI's loan plus advisory services but at much larger scale and broader demographic scope.

Direct peers

• Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA): Long-standing Canadian organization supporting Black business owners and professionals through networking, mentorship, and education - comparable to BBI in serving the Black entrepreneurship community with similar integrated programs.
• Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC): Non-profit facilitating growth of minority-owned businesses by connecting them to corporate procurement opportunities - directly comparable to BBI in advancing economic outcomes for underrepresented business owners through institutional partnerships.
• Centre for Women in Business (CWB): Atlantic Canada-based non-profit helping women-identifying business owners succeed through counselling, training, and financing - directly parallel to BBI's programming model, though focused on a different demographic segment.
• Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED): Non-profit delivering innovative programs and services empowering individuals and communities to achieve entrepreneurial potential - serves an overlapping customer base with BBI in Atlantic Canada with similar advisory and training offerings.
• Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE): National non-profit organization empowering Black-owned businesses through loans, education, and collaboration for economic growth - directly mirrors BBI's mission of providing capital and advisory support to Black entrepreneurs across Canada.
• Foundation for Black Communities (F4BC): Philanthropic foundation investing in Black-led, Black-focused organizations with sustained resources and infrastructure. Operates alongside BBI as a funder and ecosystem partner for Black community economic development in Canada.

Regional players

• Volta: Atlantic Canada's startup hub improving odds of creating valuable startups in the region. Co-located in Halifax and partners with BBI to provide a complementary physical-incubator platform versus BBI's community-based advisory model.
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS): Halifax-based non-profit empowering immigrants and refugees to build their futures in Nova Scotia, including through business support services - overlaps with BBI in serving underrepresented founders seeking economic integration in Atlantic Canada.
• Africa Centre: Community-based organization providing culturally grounded programming and access to services for diverse families - partners with BBI and operates similar community-empowerment logic for Black and African diaspora populations in Atlantic Canada.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blackbusinessns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-business-initiative
• Instagraminstagram.com/bbi_novascotia
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackbusinessns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Black Business Initiative