Young Entrepreneurs

Young Entrepreneurs

FAQs

How long does the application process take? How much funding can I receive? What if I don't have 100 percent ownership in my business? I want to take training to develop specific management skills. Can ABC assist me?

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) support for young entrepreneur projects you must:

• be of Aboriginal heritage (Status or Non-status Indian – located on or off-reserve – Métis or Inuit);
• be older than 18 and younger than 36 years of age; and
• have a minimum of 10 percent cash equity to invest in total eligible project costs. (This may increase depending on your financial capacity to bear more of the costs. At least one half of your equity must come from personal resources.)

Additional Considerations

• You must submit a Statement of Intent before your 36th birthday, and the project must proceed within a reasonable time.
• You must demonstrate operational and management expertise appropriate to your ownership and control position in the proposed business.
• You may be required to take training in management, financing or other areas to be eligible for support.
• You must demonstrate that your business has the capacity to be profitable.
• You must be involved in a full-time management capacity whether the proposed business operates seasonally or year round.

Overview of Supported Activities

If you meet the criteria outlined above we may be able to help you:

• establish, acquire or expand a business in any industry;
• market your business or expand into new markets;
• develop specific management skills; and
• obtain other sources of financing.

If you are seeking support from ABC to acquire a business refer to our acquisitions policy for important information.

Eligible Project Costs

For youth entrepreneur projects, ABC can support:

• capital costs,
• costs associated with the purchase of shares and assets,
• operating costs,
• marketing costs,
• costs associated with providing financial services and business services, and
• costs associated with obtaining appropriate training and/or mentoring services.

Applying to ABC for Support

Now that you have reviewed our eligibility criteria and other important information, you are ready to proceed to the next section. This section will explain the application process for ABC support.

Questions? Please review our Frequently Asked Questions or contact a development officer at an office location near you.

Before You Apply | Applying to ABC | Once a Project is Approved | Once a Project is Completed