Futurpreneur Side Hustle Program
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Supports young entrepreneurs who want to start a business while maintaining other commitments, offering smaller-scale financing and mentorship.
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian resident (citizen or permanent resident)
- Aged 18-39 at time of application
- Business is a side business (applicant maintains other employment or commitments)
- Business has been operating full-time for 24 months or less
- Business is not in an ineligible industry (no gambling venues, night clubs, bars, dating platforms)
- Personal taxes are filed and current
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $25,000
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Private
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipMost accessible Futurpreneur product — smaller amounts, simpler context. Be explicit about maintaining full-time outside employment for 12 months. Mentorship (up to 2 years) is mandatory and valuable. Strong stepping stone toward the Core Startup Program if you later go full-time.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Cannot demonstrate full-time income outside the business for 12 months
- Business plan not viable for part-time operation
- Credit issues: bankruptcy within 5 years or tax arrears
See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
Young professional (age 18-35) with stable full-time employment, clear side business concept that operates alongside existing job, complete business plan, clean credit history.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. Unlock with Premium →
Evaluation Criteria
Applications evaluated on: viability of part-time business concept, proof of full-time outside income (12-month commitment), 24-month cash flow projections, creditworthiness, and applicant ability to manage both employment and a side business simultaneously.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 7
- Business startup and launch costs
- Equipment and tools
- Website and e-commerce setup
- Marketing and advertising
- Software and technology subscriptions
- Inventory and materials
- Professional fees (legal, accounting)
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Refinancing existing debt
- Personal living expenses
- Gambling or casino-related businesses
- Adult content businesses
- Real estate investment
- Charitable activities
- Replacing or supplementing the full-time employment income
Intake Periods
Rolling continuous intake year-round. No intake windows or fixed deadlines. Funded through Government of Canada $60M/5yr commitment to Futurpreneur (April 2024) extending to 2029.
Deadline Notes
Rolling applications year-round. No intake windows.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Gambling, casinos, bingo halls, racetracks
- Night clubs, bars, lounges, pool halls
- Dating or hookup platforms
- Recreational cannabis cultivation and retail
- Vaping and e-cigarette businesses
- Real estate investment companies
- Charities and non-profits
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Futurpreneur Side Hustle Pr... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Futurpreneur Side Hustle Program | Up to $25,000 | Easy | Loan | Ongoing |
| Black Entrepreneurship Program | Up to $250,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Up to $1.15 million | Easy | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Start... | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
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