Financing
Loan financing
Eligible entrepreneurs can apply for startup financing through Futurpreneur, with additional financing available through BDC, subject to approval and program requirements.
01. What it offers
What does Futurpreneur offer?
Mentorship
Up to two years of mentorship
Entrepreneurs who receive financing can also receive up to two years of one-on-one mentorship to help with business decisions, challenges and growth.
Resources
Business resources
Futurpreneur provides tools, workshops, planning resources and other support to help entrepreneurs prepare, launch and operate their businesses.
At a glance
0118 to 39Age range
02Start or buyA business
03Up to $75KFinancing
04Up to 2 yearsMentorship
05Tools + supportBusiness resources
02. Financing
How does the $75,000 financing work?
The Core Startup Program can provide financing from Futurpreneur, with additional financing available through the Business Development Bank of Canada.
FuturpreneurUp to $25,000
Core Startup loan financing provided through Futurpreneur.
+
BDCUp to $50,000
Additional financing can be considered through BDC.
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Total potential financingUp to $75,000
The full amount is not automatic. Approval and conditions apply.
What is BDC?
Business Development Bank of Canada
BDC is a federal Crown corporation that provides financing and support to Canadian businesses.
How the BDC portion works
Eligible applicants can also be considered for up to $50,000 in additional BDC financing through the Futurpreneur application.
You apply once through Futurpreneur. BDC has its own approval criteria, so Futurpreneur approval does not automatically guarantee the additional BDC amount.
Important: This is loan financing, not a grant. The money must be repaid according to the applicable loan terms.
03. Impact
Futurpreneur by the numbers.
A few official impact highlights.
Since 1996, Futurpreneur has supported young entrepreneurs across Canada. These official figures show the scale of its impact.
Jump to entrepreneur feedback ↓Diverse, young entrepreneurs supported across Canada.
Businesses launched in every province and territory.
Provided in loan financing alongside 1:1 mentorship.
Based on impact figures shown on Futurpreneur's official website (as of March 31, 2026).
04. Real experiences
What entrepreneurs say.
A mix of official and independent experiences.
Official Futurpreneur story
Mentorship
“My mentor provided major value – everything from emotional support through the tough times to real world business advice.”
Robb Price
DeliverGood, Futurpreneur entrepreneur
Source: Futurpreneur Canada ↗
Independent experience
Positive
“I found the whole experience very positive. The mentor, while not matched to our industry, was close enough that we were able to learn a lot more about business and marketing.”
Reddit user
Reported receiving a Futurpreneur + BDC loan
Source: Reddit, r/SmallBusinessCanada ↗
Independent experience
Mixed
“The team there walked us through the business planning and the help they provided in securing financing to startup was invaluable, but when it came to our mentor, we ended up with a dud.”
Reddit user
Positive about planning and financing support, disappointed with the mentor match
Source: Reddit, r/canadasmallbusiness ↗
What this feedback suggests
Some entrepreneurs report strong value from the financing, business-planning support and mentorship. Others report that the quality of the mentor match or application experience can vary. Individual experiences should not be treated as typical or guaranteed outcomes.
05. Eligibility
Who can apply?
Key Core Startup requirements. Always check the full current eligibility criteria.
Age 18 to 39
You must be between 18 and 39 when you submit your Futurpreneur application.
Canadian citizen or permanent resident
You must physically reside in Canada.
Relevant experience or training
You must be able to demonstrate training or experience related to your business idea.
Startup-stage business
Your business must not yet be operational, or it must have been operating full time for 24 months or less.
Also important:
The business must be registered and operate in Canada, and additional business and ownership requirements apply.
More eligibility requirements
- The business must create sustainable full-time employment for you, except where Futurpreneur's Side Hustle offering applies.
- A complete and viable business plan and cash flow must be produced by the end of the application process.
- You must authorize Futurpreneur to carry out a personal credit check, which may be a hard inquiry.
- Futurpreneur loan proceeds cannot be used to refinance existing debt.
- If you have been bankrupt, you must have been discharged from bankruptcy for at least five years.
- If you completed a consumer proposal, at least one year must have passed since the date of full performance shown on the Certificate of Full Performance.
- Federal, provincial and municipal taxes must be paid up to date.
- Applicants and applicant businesses must not be named in a lawsuit against them.
- Together, eligible applicants must represent more than 50% controlling ownership of the business.
- The business, website, marketing materials and social media must contain socially acceptable content and activities.
This is a simplified summary of additional requirements. Always review Futurpreneur's current official eligibility criteria before applying.
06. Before you apply
What should you have ready?
A clear business idea
Know what you are offering, who it serves and how the business plans to make money.
A business plan
Explain how the business will operate, generate revenue and grow.
A 24-month cash flow
Estimate your business income and expenses month by month for the next two years.
07. Quick answers
Common questions.
Is the $75,000 free money?
No. It is loan financing and must be repaid.
Does everyone receive $75,000?
No. It is the maximum potential financing amount. The amount approved depends on eligibility, assessment and applicable conditions.
Can I get mentorship without financing?
For the Core Startup financing program, Futurpreneur says financing and mentorship are provided together rather than separately.
What does equity-free mean?
You do not give Futurpreneur an ownership stake in your company in exchange for the loan financing.
Can contractors or agents apply?
For the Core Startup Program, Futurpreneur states that you cannot apply as an agent or contractor working for another already-existing business.
What if I am almost 40?
Your full application must be completed before your 40th birthday to qualify for the Core Startup Program.
Businesses that may not be eligible
Futurpreneur does not support every type of business. Examples can include businesses primarily connected to:
- gambling, gaming or pay-to-win contests
- nudity, adult content, sex products or services, and dating apps or websites marketed as hookup sites
- recreational tobacco, cannabis, vaping or other unregulated health-risk products
- firearms or firearm accessories
- bars, nightclubs and similar establishments, and businesses where on-site alcohol consumption exceeds or is seen to exceed 49% of revenue
- financial services such as lending, mortgage brokering, money services, payment processing or cryptocurrency
- residential housing construction or rentals, including retirement homes and long-term care centres
- used or new vehicle and equipment sales and leasing
- self-promotional activities such as publishing your own books or recording your own music
- certain import or export activities involving high-risk or sanctioned countries
- illegal, discriminatory, violent or other high-reputational-risk activities
- jewellery businesses selling precious or semi-precious stones and precious metals
- businesses that are still mainly in the research and development stage rather than ready to generate revenue
This is only a simplified summary, not the complete list. Some business models may be reviewed case by case. Always check Futurpreneur's current eligibility rules before applying.
View full eligibility details ↗Official source
Program details can change.
Always confirm current eligibility, financing terms and application requirements directly with Futurpreneur.
Fact-checked against Futurpreneur's official pages on August 27, 2026.
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