Launch your dream business

With financing from $5,000 to $60,000 and the support of an experienced mentor, you can become your own boss and start the business you've always dreamed of, like Frias Lakhany's Zoya did.

In 2015, only a few months after her graduation with a degree in mathematics and computer science, Zoya de Frias Lakhany realized that working for a large company was not the path for her.

Sociable and outgoing by nature, Zoya was quickly convinced that a restaurant business in cosmopolitan and ethnically-diverse Montréal fit her criteria. She then left her analyst position and began exploring options to realize her new-found ambition.

Zoya sees her early relationship with Futurpreneur as essential to her launch, but also important during her first months and early years of operation.

“The people I talked to were so helpful and so willing to speak with me right away.” Once she had outlined her needs for financing, she says “Futurpreneur came to the rescue.” Within a few short months, she was approved for financing to create a vibrant and colourful restaurant around the rich heritage of sub-Saharan cooking.

Zoya is now the owner of the restaurant Le Virunga, located in Montréal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood and she has established herself securely in Montréal’s energetic gastronomic scene. Find out how you can get the support you need to start your business with Futurpreneur.

Photo credits: Théo Cohen

WE OFFER:

Financing

  • Apply for up to $60,000 in loan financing to launch or to help grow your business as much or as little as you like.

Mentorship

  • Get matched with an experienced mentor to help you build confidence and tackle your toughest challenges for up to two years.

Resources

  • Learn key skills like business planning, marketing and cash flow management through our online and in-person business resources.
  • Demonstrate some training/experience related to your business idea.
  • Create full-time sustainable employment for the applicant(s).
  • Agree to work with a mentor for up to two years (4 to 5 hours a month).
  • Produce a complete and viable business plan by the end of the application process.
  • Business fully operating for fewer than 12 months.
  • Agree to complete Futurpreneur Canada status updates every three months.
  • Agree to provide authorization for Futurpreneur Canada to carry out a credit check.
  • Assure that the business is NOT in the research and development stage.
  • Assure that financing proceeds may not be used for refinancing existing debt.
  • BDC financing through a Futurpreneur Canada application is not available to all persons, corporations, firms and companies who are already a BDC borrower.
  • A business plan must fall within specified industry guidelines in order to be approved for financing. Examples of businesses which do not meet Futurpreneur industry guidelines include: businesses that are sexually exploitive or that feature sexually explicit entertainment, products or services; businesses that are engaged in or associated with illegal activities; businesses trading in countries that are proscribed by the Canadian federal government; and any other commercial activities inappropriate for government funding. For more details on Futurpreneur industry eligibility, click here.
  • Demonstrate that you have been discharged from bankruptcy for at least five years or one year after receipt of a Certificate of Full Performance in the case of a Consumer Proposal.
  • For establishments serving alcohol, a maximum of 49% of revenues can be generated from the sale of alcohol when same is consumed on-site. Exempt from this are producers such as craft breweries, wine and spirit producers, brew-it-yourself type locations.
  • Any age eligible entrepreneur (18-39 years old) who owns 5% or less of the business does not need to be party to Futurpreneur Canada and BDC application.
  • The amount invested, or to be invested in the Business, by the persons other than BDC and the character of the investment are such that a reasonable lender may expect that those persons will have a continuing commitment to the business An amount of 10% of the total project plan financing will in general be considered as sufficient for the entrepreneur investment.

For additional eligibility criteria for partnerships, incorporations, and business take-overs please click here.

For information on businesses not eligible for Futurpreneur Canada financing please click here.

Approval for financing is also dependent on an applicant successfully meeting credit score minimums determined by Futurpreneur.

  • Up to $15,000 with a term over four years.
  • Interest is charged at CIBC’s prime rate + 3%. (Note that if CIBC’s prime rate exceeds 6%, the interest rate charged is capped at 9%. If CIBC’s prime rate exceeds 9%, the interest rate charged will be charged at CIBC prime rate.)
  • Interest-only payments for the first year.
  • Principal repayments are made in equal monthly instalments together with interest, over the remaining 3 years.
  • No penalty for early repayment.
  • A one-time loan management fee of 1% of the total loan amount is charged at time of disbursement
  • The above points reflect current Futurpreneur loan terms; the exact terms of each entrepreneur’s loan are clearly defined in their loan agreement.

National Office
33 Yonge street, Suite 1100
Toronto, ON, M5E 1G4

Futurpreneur Canada is a non-profit organization that supports Canadian entrepreneurs age 18-39, providing them with loan financing, mentoring and business resources. Our experts are here to answer your questions and put you on the path to success.