Young Entrepreneurs Info-Guide

The following Info-Guide is a document designed to help you navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations pertaining to specific business topics, and identify those of interest. Although most of the questions will be answered in the Info-Guide, the list is by no means exhaustive. The selected items provide a helpful overview of programs, services and regulations in a related area. This blended product of both federal and provincial information is developed to answer a growing demand for strategic information by business people. Municipal and other non-government information could be included, depending on the content and region. Further information on these programs, services and regulations can be obtained through any of the following:

• calling the telephone numbers listed under the program descriptions;
• using the links listed in the program descriptions to visit Web sites and CBSC documents;
• calling the CBSC and speaking with one of the information agents; or
• visiting the CBSC Web site.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Programs and Services

   • Financial Assistance

1. Programs and Services

Young Entrepreneur Awards - Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Every year, the BDC presents the Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA). Thirteen young canadian entrepreneurs aged between 19 and 35 years old - one from each province and territory - will receive these awards to recognize their accomplishments. One of them will also receive the Export Acheivement Award from Export Development Canada.

The awards are given to 13 companies, one from each province and territory. The Export Development Corporation is sponsoring the Export Achievement Award which will be presented to one of the 13 winners.

Application Deadline
The application deadline seems to be in June every year.

        Telephone: 1-888-463-6232
        BDC's Web site

2. Financial Assistance

Aboriginal Business Canada (document) - Industry Canada (IC)
This is an Industry Canada program which promotes the growth of commerce as one means towards economic self-sufficiency for Aboriginal people. Canadian Status Indians and Non-Status Indians, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs are eligible for this program, as are partnerships, for-profit and non-profit groups, and other entities that are majority-owned or controlled by Aboriginal persons. For eligible applicants, this program provides financial assistance, information, resource materials and referrals to other possible sources of financing or business support.

        The Aboriginal Business Canada page on the IC's Web site.

Seed Capital ConneXion Program for Young Entrepreneurs- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
This program effectively responds to the needs of entrepreneurs by helping them access small business start-up and expansion financing of up to $15 000, while providing them with sound business counselling and training.

        Telephone: 1-800-561-7862
        The Young Entrepreneur Connexion page on the ACOA's Web site

Youth Strategy Program CED-CFDC - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions - Community Future Development Corporation (CED-CFDC)
This initiative provides capital (from $5 000 to $15 000) to young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 in Quebec for the purposes of business acquisition, start-up, modernization, expansion and offers them personalized follow-up of the development of the business.

For further information, contact your local office of Community Future Development Corporation.

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.