If your business has less than 12 months of revenue history, we invite you to reach out to our partners who may be better positioned to support you with their programs.
Futurpreneur Canada
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, aged 18 to 39, you may be eligible for up to $60,000 in financing to launch or grow your business. You will also get access to an expert business mentor, tools and resources to succeed.
Flexible financing:
- Get up to $60,000, collateral-free loans, with a five-year term*
- Pay interest only in the first year, then principal and interest in years two to five
- Receive mentorship for two years
General eligibility requirements and conditions:
- Aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39 years old
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents currently living in Canada
- Agree to work with a mentor for two years
- Business fully operating for less than 12 months
- Assure that financing proceeds may not be used for refinancing existing debt
*Up to $20,000 from Futurpreneur matched with up to $40,000 from BDC for applicants who meet shared eligibility criteria and are not already a BDC borrower.
Community Futures
Community Futures is a group of over 260 Canadian non-profit organisations that provide small business loans, tools, training and events for entrepreneurs living in rural communities and wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business in all provinces.
Visit your regional association's website to find the office nearest you:
- The Atlantic Association of CBDCs (New-Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador)
- The Réseau des SADC/CAE (Quebec)
- The Community Futures Ontario
- The Panwest Community Futures (British-Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
- The Northwest Territories Community Futures Association (Yukon, North-West territories, Nunavut)
For more information on Community Futures, visit their website.
Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19
Additional measures to support entrepreneurs have been announced by the Government of Canada, including a new Canada Emergency Business Account as well as a SME Loan and Guarantee Program.
Since these programs are not administered by BDC, your primary financial institution is best suited to assess if you may benefit from these relief measures as they are deployed. Contact your primary financial institution to find out more.