New National BEKH Study Reveals Profile and Challenges of Black Entrepreneurs in Canada

What does it take to run a Black-owned business in Canada today? A new national study from the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) offers the most detailed answer to date.

With responses from more than 2,300 Black entrepreneurs across the country, this is one of the largest surveys of its kind. It provides a clear statistical profile of who is running these businesses, where they operate, how they’re funded, and the barriers that continue to limit their growth.

The report sheds light on a business ecosystem shaped by resource gaps, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to financing. It also reveals how many entrepreneurs are navigating these challenges alone: without staff, without support, and often without awareness of existing programs meant to assist them.

Co-designed with over 100 Black stakeholders from across the nation to reflect the realities Black entrepreneurs face, the result is a dataset that goes beyond numbers. It maps lived conditions and identifies where policy and investment are falling short.

The full report is now available.