Funding finder / Programs / Futurpreneur Side Hustle Program
Loan

Futurpreneur Side Hustle Program

Federal - Futurpreneur / TD Bank · Up to $25,000

Collateral-free loan of up to $25,000 plus mentorship for young entrepreneurs aged 18–39 who want to launch or grow a part-time business while keeping a full-time income. Official offering does not include the BDC $50,000 co-loan. Published amount: Up to $25,000. Best for: Young entrepreneurs starting a side business while employed. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Futurpreneur Canada. Official source: Futurpreneur Side Hustle 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 entrepreneurs starting a side business while employed
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
Rate / repayableCIBC prime + 3% (capped). Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant).
What it fundsCollateral-free loan of up to $25,000 plus mentorship for young entrepreneurs aged 18–39 who want to launch or grow a part-time business while keeping a full-time income. Official offering does not include the BDC $50,000 co-loan. Highlights: Up to $25,000 (no BDC co-loan on this stream); Ages 18–39, citizen or PR; Keep your full-time job; 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 / TD Bank)

Published highlights

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

FAQ

Is this a grant?

No. Futurpreneur Side Hustle Program is catalogued as a loan / repayable contribution. CIBC prime + 3% (capped) 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 entrepreneurs starting a side business while employed.

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 Core Startup ProgramLoan · Up to $25,000 + up to $50,000 from BDCFuturpreneur 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 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.