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Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)

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

Startup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship for young Indigenous entrepreneurs aged 18–39, designed and operated by an Indigenous team. Official offering: up to $75,000 combined, including on-reserve businesses. Published amount: Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC. Best for: Young Indigenous entrepreneurs (18–39) starting a business. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Futurpreneur Canada. Official source: Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP).

Criteria

Who qualifies
  • Pre-startup or early-stage (startup) businesses
  • Eligible statuses in catalog: Canadian citizens, permanent residents
  • Aimed at: indigenous, youth
  • Ages 18–39
  • For-profit
  • Available across Canada
  • Best for: Young Indigenous entrepreneurs (18–39) starting 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 indigenous / 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 fundsStartup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship for young Indigenous entrepreneurs aged 18–39, designed and operated by an Indigenous team. Official offering: up to $75,000 combined, including on-reserve businesses. Highlights: Ages 18–39, citizen or PR; Operated by an Indigenous team; On- and off-reserve eligible; Up to 2 years mentorship.
Intake windowSee the official page
RegionCanada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met.
AdministratorFuturpreneur Canada (Federal - Futurpreneur)

Published highlights

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

FAQ

Is this a grant?

No. Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) 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: indigenous, youth; ages 18–39; for-profit; available across Canada; young Indigenous entrepreneurs (18–39) starting 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: indigenous, youth. Self-identification / ownership rules are set by the administrator — see the official page.

Related programs

Futurpreneur Core Startup ProgramLoan · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDCAboriginal Entrepreneurship Program — Access to CapitalLoan · Up to $99,999 (individual); up to $250,000 (community businesses)Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)Loan · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDC

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.