Overview
The BEP Venture Launch Micro-Contribution Program is designed to encourage continuous engagement in the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) On-Demand learning platform while supporting entrepreneurs as they progress from business idea to venture launch.
Participants earn verified entries by completing learning modules and achieving key business development milestones. Each month, eligible participants are entered into a random draw for micro-contribution funding to help advance their entrepreneurial journey.
Monthly Venture Launch Micro-contribution
Each month, the BEP will award $2,000 in Venture Launch Micro-contributions to three entrepreneurs selected through a random draw.
Monthly Awards
- First Prize – $1,000
- Second Prize – $600
- Third Prize – $400
Participants accumulate entries throughout the month by completing verified learning and venture development activities.
Eligibility
To participate, entrepreneurs must:
- Identify as Black or of African descent.
- Be enrolled in the BEP On-Demand Program.
- Complete the BEP Form – insert hyperlink
- Complete the required participant onboarding.
- Remain in good standing throughout the program.
- Comply with all program terms and conditions.
- Submit verification for applicable milestone activities where required.
How to Earn Entries
Participants earn entries by completing educational content and demonstrating progress in developing their business.
1. Learning Progress
| Activity | Entries |
| Complete Marketing 101 Pt 1 | 1 |
| Complete Marketing 101 pt 2 | 1 |
| Complete Operations | 1 |
| Complete Financing | 1 |
| Complete Business Development | 1 |
| Complete Business Planning | 1 |
| Complete all six modules | +6 Bonus |
Maximum Learning Entries: 12
Bonus :
- Completing all program modules within eight weeks. +15
2. Knowledge Verification
| Activity | Entries |
| Successfully complete a module assessment (80%+) | 1 |
| Complete all module assessments | +3 Bonus |
3. Business Development Milestones
| Activity | Entries |
| Complete a Business Model Canvas | 2 |
| Define a Value Proposition | 2 |
| Develop Customer Personas | 2 |
| Complete a Competitive Analysis | 2 |
| Prepare Financial Projections | 3 |
| Complete a Business Plan | 5 |
| Develop a Pitch Deck | 5 |
| Prepare a One-Page Business Summary | 3 |
4. Customer Validation
| Activity | Entries |
| Complete five customer interviews | 3 |
| Complete ten customer interviews | 5 |
| Launch a landing page | 3 |
| Publish a business website | 5 |
| Create business social media channels | 2 |
| Build an email subscriber list (25 subscribers) | 5 |
5. Venture Launch Milestones
| Activity | Entries |
| Launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) | 5 |
| Acquire a first customer | 5 |
| Complete a first sale | 5 |
| Generate $100 in revenue | 5 |
| Generate $500 in revenue | 8 |
| Generate $1,000 in revenue | 10 |
6. Community Engagement
| Activity | Entries |
| Participate in the BEP Community discussion | 1 (per week) |
| Provide constructive feedback to another entrepreneur | 1 |
| Share a business milestone or success story | 2 |
| Complete the monthly participant survey | 2 |
| Refer a new participant who enrolls in BEP | 5 |
Bonus Achievement Opportunities
Participants may earn additional bonus entries for demonstrating consistency and commitment throughout the program.
Examples include:
- Completing one module each week for six consecutive weeks.
- Completing all program modules within eight weeks.
- Achieving key monthly program challenges.
- Demonstrating sustained engagement in the BEP community.
Monthly bonus challenges will be announced throughout the year to encourage continued participation.
Milestone Verification
To ensure fairness and accountability, all eligible activities must be verified before entries are awarded.
Verification methods may include:
Automatic Platform Verification
- Module completion
- Video completion
- Knowledge assessments
- Course completion
- Community participation
Document Submission
Participants may upload:
- Business Model Canvas
- Business Plan
- Pitch Deck
- Financial Projections
- One-page Business Summary
Digital Verification
Participants may submit:
- Website or landing page URLs
- Online store links
- Business social media profiles
Customer Validation
Evidence may include:
- Customer interview summaries
- Survey responses
- Testimonials
- Waitlists
- Letters of intent
Revenue Verification
Examples of acceptable documentation include:
- Payment processor dashboards
- Sales reports
- Paid invoices
- Proof of completed customer transactions
Program Integrity
To maintain fairness:
- Entries are awarded only after verification of completed activities.
- Duplicate submissions will not receive additional entries unless expressly permitted.
- Fraudulent or misleading submissions may result in disqualification.
- The Federation of Black Canadians reserves the right to verify all submissions before awarding entries or distributing funds.
- Winners are selected through a random draw from all eligible entries received during the applicable monthly period.
- Winners will be required to enter an MOU and submit an invoice of where and how the funds will be spent.
