Young Entrepreneur Grants Canada in 2026

The Saskatchewan Young Entrepreneur Bursary provides $5,000 in non-repayable funding to entrepreneurs aged 18–35 who are starting or growing a business in Saskatchewan. The program is administered by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce with approximately $1 million over 3 years from the provincial government. Each cohort includes roughly 57 recipients, making it moderately competitive but accessible. The bursary includes mentorship support alongside the cash award. This is one of the few genuinely non-repayable, youth-specific programs in Canada.

The Manitoba Young Entrepreneurs Grant provides up to $10,000 in non-repayable funding for entrepreneurs aged 18–29. This is the largest youth-specific grant available in Canada. The business must be year-round (not seasonal) and the applicant must commit to a minimum of 15 hours per week operating the business. The narrower age range (18–29 vs Futurpreneur’s 18–39) makes this a genuinely youth-focused program, not a general startup loan marketed to young people.

Ontario Summer Company provides up to $3,000 in non-repayable funding for students aged 15–29 to start and run a summer business. The program includes hands-on training and mentoring from local business leaders. Students must be returning to school in the fall, which limits this to genuine students — not recent graduates. The award is structured as $1,500 at the start of summer and $1,500 upon successful completion of the program. Applications typically open in spring for the upcoming summer season.

Ontario Starter Company Plus provides $5,000 in non-repayable funding for new businesses. While not youth-specific (there is no age cap — any adult 18+ can apply), it is highly accessible to young entrepreneurs because it does not require credit history, collateral, or an existing track record. The program requires completing 10–12 weeks of business training through a local Small Business Enterprise Centre and a $1,250 co-investment from the applicant. Pitch success rates are approximately 60%, making it one of Canada’s most accessible business grants.

Futurpreneur provides up to $75,000 in repayable financing: $25,000 from Futurpreneur plus up to $50,000 from BDC co-lending. The Futurpreneur portion charges CIBC prime +3% (capped at 9%) with a 5-year term and Year 1 interest-only. The BDC portion carries floating base +1.65%, also over 5 years. Since September 2024, the maximum increased from $60,000 to $75,000 and eligibility extended to businesses operating up to 24 months. The program is collateral-free — no personal assets are required as security. Mandatory 2-year mentorship from the 2,600+ volunteer mentor network is included.

The approval rate is 36.6% based on ISED evaluation data: 4,345 of 11,877 applications approved between 2018 and 2023. Critically, 38.7% of applications were viable but unfunded due to capacity constraints — meaning the program turns away qualified applicants. Futurpreneur has supported 18,700+ entrepreneurs since 1996 and launched 13,900+ businesses. Loan repayment rates are 80–85% since inception. Over 40% of funded businesses are women-led, and 20%+ are led by Black or Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The BESP stream provides the same $75,000 maximum as the core program but is specifically designed for Black entrepreneurs aged 18–39. Funded by RBC at approximately $5 million per year, the program has supported 511 businesses in 4 years. Same collateral-free terms and mandatory mentorship as the core program.

The IESP stream serves Indigenous entrepreneurs (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) aged 18–39 with adjusted credit criteria to improve access. Eligibility is based on self-attestation — no proof of status is required. The program recognizes that standard credit requirements disproportionately affect Indigenous applicants and adjusts accordingly.

The Side Hustle stream provides up to $25,000 in repayable financing for entrepreneurs who want to start a business while maintaining full-time employment. Since September 2024, the maximum increased from $15,000 to $25,000. This is the lowest-risk entry point for employed young Canadians who want to test a business idea without quitting their jobs.

The BDC Young Entrepreneur Award is Canada’s largest annual prize for young business owners, offering a $100,000 non-repayable grand prize. Running since 1988, it recognizes entrepreneurs aged 18–35 who demonstrate exceptional business achievement. The award is highly competitive — only one national winner per year — but the prize money is genuinely free. Previous winners span industries from technology to food services to social enterprise. Finalists receive mentorship and advisory services from BDC.

NEXT 36 (now split into NEXT AI and NEXT Founders) is a prestigious accelerator targeting undergraduate and recent graduate entrepreneurs. As of September 2025, the equity requirement was removed — the program no longer takes ownership in your company. Participants get world-class mentorship, connections to investors, and intensive business-building workshops. While no direct cash is awarded, the network access and training are considered among the highest-value accelerator programs in Canada.

CDL is a seed-stage technology accelerator with 20+ sites globally, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. There is no age restriction — CDL evaluates the technology and team, not the founder’s age. The program connects founders with experienced entrepreneurs and scientists who serve as mentors and potential investors. CDL does not take equity and provides structured milestone-based feedback over an 8-month cycle.

Enactus Canada runs an annual national competition recognizing the top student entrepreneur in the country with a $10,000 prize. The competition evaluates business impact, innovation, and entrepreneurial achievement. Participants must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution. Enactus chapters exist at universities across Canada, providing a built-in support network for student entrepreneurs.

IRAP is Canada’s largest non-repayable funding program for technology-driven businesses. It funds approximately 3,100 firms annually with an average contribution of about $500,000. Pre-revenue startups with a genuine technology project are eligible. No age restriction applies.

Canadian-controlled private corporations receive a 35% refundable investment tax credit on the first $3 million of eligible R&D spending. This is cash back even if you owe no tax. A startup spending $200,000 on R&D could receive approximately $70,000 back. Budget 2025 doubled the limit to $6M. No age restriction applies.

CanExport provides up to $50,000 at 50% cost-share for Canadian businesses expanding into international markets. Activities covered include market research, trade show attendance, marketing materials, and legal fees. No age restriction applies.