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Futurpreneur Core Startup Program

Federal - Futurpreneur Canada / BDC · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC

Collateral-free startup loan plus up to two years of mentorship for Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18–39. Business must be pre-startup or operating full-time 24 months or less. Published amount: Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC. Best for: Young founders (18–39) starting or recently started a business. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Futurpreneur Canada. Official source: Futurpreneur Core Startup Program.

Criteria

Who qualifies
  • Pre-startup or early-stage (startup) businesses
  • Eligible statuses in catalog: Canadian citizens, permanent residents
  • Aimed at: youth
  • Ages 18–39
  • For-profit
  • Available across Canada
  • Best for: Young founders (18–39) starting or recently started a business
Who does not
  • Long-established firms outside the startup window
  • Founders older than 39 (age cap in the catalog)
  • Founders younger than 18
  • Work-permit-only newcomers (catalog lists citizen/PR, not work-permit)
  • Applicants who do not meet the youth requirement
AmountUp to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC
Rate / repayableFuturpreneur: prime + 3% (capped); BDC: floating base + 1.65%. Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant).
What it fundsCollateral-free startup loan plus up to two years of mentorship for Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18–39. Business must be pre-startup or operating full-time 24 months or less. Highlights: Up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur; Up to $50,000 additional from BDC; Ages 18–39, citizen or PR; Up to 2 years mentorship; Business ≤24 months.
Intake windowSee the official page
RegionCanada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met.
AdministratorFuturpreneur Canada (Federal - Futurpreneur Canada / BDC)

Published highlights

Official apply / learn more See if you match Get help applying

FAQ

Is this a grant?

No. Futurpreneur Core Startup Program 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: youth; ages 18–39; for-profit; available across Canada; young founders (18–39) starting or recently started 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: youth. Self-identification / ownership rules are set by the administrator — see the official page.

Related programs

Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)Loan · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDCFuturpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)Loan · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDCFuturpreneur Side Hustle ProgramLoan · Up to $25,000

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.