Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)
Federal - Futurpreneur / RBC / BDC · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC
Startup financing and mentorship for young Black entrepreneurs aged 18–39, delivered by a team with lived experience. Official offering includes up to $75,000 combined (Futurpreneur + BDC) and the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 follow-on financing after two years. Published amount: Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC. Best for: Young Black entrepreneurs (18–39) starting or buying a business. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Futurpreneur Canada. Official source: Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP).
Criteria
| Who qualifies |
|
|---|---|
| Who does not |
|
| Amount | Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC |
| Rate / repayable | Futurpreneur: prime + 3% (capped); BDC: floating base + 1.65%. Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant). |
| What it funds | Startup financing and mentorship for young Black entrepreneurs aged 18–39, delivered by a team with lived experience. Official offering includes up to $75,000 combined (Futurpreneur + BDC) and the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 follow-on financing after two years. Highlights: Ages 18–39, citizen or PR; Must self-identify as Black; majority Black-owned rules apply; Up to 2 years mentorship; Up to $40,000 follow-on financing (official BESP page). |
| Intake window | See the official page |
| Region | Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. |
| Administrator | Futurpreneur Canada (Federal - Futurpreneur / RBC / BDC) |
Published highlights
- Ages 18–39, citizen or PR
- Must self-identify as Black; majority Black-owned rules apply
- Up to 2 years mentorship
- Up to $40,000 follow-on financing (official BESP page)
FAQ
Is this a grant?
No. Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP) is catalogued as a loan / repayable contribution. Futurpreneur: prime + 3% (capped); BDC: floating base + 1.65% Confirm terms on the official page.
Who qualifies in Markham?
Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. Qualifies where the published criteria fit: pre-startup or early-stage (startup) businesses; Canadian citizens, permanent residents; aimed at: black, youth; ages 18–39; for-profit; available across Canada; young Black entrepreneurs (18–39) starting or buying a business.
Is there a minimum years in business or employee count?
No minimum years in business in this catalog; no minimum employee count in this catalog. See the official page if a rule is not listed here.
Can newcomers or work-permit holders apply?
The catalog lists Canadian citizens and permanent residents only — work-permit is not in the eligibility list. Do not assume a work-permit newcomer qualifies.
Is there an age limit?
Yes in this catalog: ages 18–39.
Is this limited to a specific community?
The catalog demographic tags are: black, youth. Self-identification / ownership rules are set by the administrator — see the official page.
Related programs
Eligibility is determined by the government administrator (Futurpreneur Canada), not Markham Office. Amounts, rates, and windows change. Verify every detail on the official page before you apply. Markham Office is an assessment helper only. As of September 2026.