Updated June 2026 · Verified against Rise Asset Development (Rise) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Loan Est. 2010
Loan Private Active

Rise Asset Development — Business Loans

Rise Asset Development (Rise)
Loan Range
$500 to $10,000 (Prime + 2.5%, character-based); $500...
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Loan
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Financing share
Varies
Rise Asset Development — Business Loans provides up to $500 to $10,000 (Prime + 2.5%, character-based); $500 non-repayable startup grant for Youth Small Business Program graduates. A Canadian charity providing character-based microloans of $500–$10,000 at Prime + 2.5% to entrepreneurs living with mental health and addiction challenges who cannot access conventional bank financing. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

A Canadian charity providing character-based microloans of $500–$10,000 at Prime + 2.5% to entrepreneurs living with mental health and addiction challenges who cannot access conventional bank financing. Founded in 2010 out of the Rotman School of Management and CAMH, Rise has disbursed over $4.3 million across 1,000+ loans and wraps each loan with mentorship, coaching, and peer support. Youth program graduates may receive a $500 non-repayable startup grant. Programming is available online nationally with active delivery in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Canadian living with mental health and/or addiction challenges
  • Must be loan-ready: have or be starting a business with a viable plan
  • Cannot access conventional bank financing due to credit history or barriers related to mental health/addiction
  • Business must be legal and operating (or about to launch) in Canada
  • Online delivery available nationally; in-person programming active in Ontario and Nova Scotia
  • $500 non-repayable startup grant available to Youth Small Business Program graduates only
  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must not be in active bankruptcy, behind on child support payments, or owing government taxes
Provinces
Ontario Nova Scotia
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
$500 to $10,000 (Prime + 2.5%, character-based); $500 non-repayable startup grant for Youth Small Business Program graduates
Type
Loan
Level
Private
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to qualify

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Rise is designed for people conventional lenders turn away — having poor credit or no credit history is expected and not grounds for rejection.

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Rejection Pitfalls 5

  • Business plan is not viable or the applicant cannot articulate a repayment pathway
+4 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to secure Rise Asset Development — Business Loans

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Visit risehelps.ca and complete initial inquiry Review the Rise loan program on risehelps.ca and complete an initial inquiry or contact form. Confirm your province is covered (Ontario and Nova Scotia have active in-person programs; national online delivery available).

Required Documents 6

✓ Business plan or business description (Rise provides templates and support)
✓ Basic financial projections for the loan repayment period

Eligible Expenses 6

Ineligible Expenses 4

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program Provincial small business grants (Starter Company Plus — Ontario) Community Futures / CFDC programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How Rise Asset Development — Business Loans Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Rise Asset Development — Business Loans $500 to $10,000 Easy Loan Ongoing
Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program Up to $75,000 Moderate Loan Ongoing
Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... Up to $10,000 per employee Easy Varies Ongoing — year-round...
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit Up to 8% tax credit Moderate Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) Easy Reimbursement Annual Intake

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Rise Asset Development — Business Loans

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Will my bad credit history disqualify me?
No — Rise is specifically designed for people conventional lenders turn away. Poor or absent credit history is expected and does not disqualify you. Rise uses character-based underwriting, not credit scores.
What's the typical loan amount for most borrowers?
$1,000–$5,000 for most first-time Rise borrowers. The maximum is $10,000, available for borrowers with stronger business plans or returning clients.
Is the $500 startup grant available to all applicants?
No. The $500 non-repayable startup grant goes only to graduates of Rise's Youth Small Business Program, which is for ages 16 to 29. The main loan program has no upper age limit, but every Rise borrower must be at least 16 years old.
Is my mental health disclosure kept confidential?
Yes — self-disclosure of mental health and addiction challenges is kept strictly confidential by Rise advisors, who are trained in trauma-informed practice.
Can I apply if I'm in Manitoba or BC?
Yes — Rise delivers nationally online, though in-person programming is primarily active in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Confirm your province's current service availability directly with Rise.

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