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Info-Guide – Young Entrepreneurs
Last Verified:
2007-08-01
The purpose of this Info-Guide is to direct young Québec entrepreneurs to the various resources made available to them by the federal and provincial governments, the private sector, and certain non-governmental organisations.
In addition, we suggest you consult the other Info-Guides listed at the end of this document.
This Info-Guide was developed by Info entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Canada Business Network.
Note: The documents given as references in the text can be consulted on our Web site or be requested from our information agents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Support organisations
- Training, mentoring and networking
- Employment
- Awards
- Financing
- Tools and other resources
1. Support organisations
Carrefour jeunesse-emploi (CJE)
Each Carrefour is an independent community organisation that provides a free information service for young adults 16 to 35 years of age on job search, going back to school or starting up a business or a project. For more information, call 514 393-9155 or visit http://www.cjereseau.org/fr/index.asp (In French only)
Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ)
The Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec has joined forces with the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec to support the next generation of young business people in Quebec. Its mission is to promote and defend social and economic interests of young Québec business people. For more information, call 514 933-7595 or 1-877-933-7595, or visit http://www.rjgaq.com (In French only)
Service d'aide aux jeunes entreprises (SAJE)
As a leader in the business
development sector since 1985, the SAJE Montréal Métro is a non-profit
organization elected by the various governmental stages. The SAJE Montréal Métro
has embraced the mission of contributing to the success of new entrepreneurs by
offering, for their first four years of operation, consulting services, coaching
and training. For more information, call 514 861-7253 or visit http://www.sajemontrealmetro.com/english/index.php
2. Training, mentoring and networking
Défi de l'entrepreneuriat jeunesse
The Défi de l'entrepreneuriat jeunesse program is intended to promote entrepreneurial culture that fosters the development of attitudes, competencies and skills. The measures revolve around the following three areas: enlisting the involvement of schools; creating a favourable environment; and disseminating effective strategies to young entrepreneurs. For more information, contact your local CJE office, call 418 643-8864 or 1-800-363-1363, or visit http://www.defi.gouv.qc.ca/ (In French only)
Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement introduces young people aged 16 to 18 to entrepreneurship through its “Student Venture” program. This program enables students to work together in a team to found and run their own business. For more information, call 514 285-8944 or visit http://www.jequebec.org/
Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse (OFQJ)
The OFQJ guides young adults aged 18 to 35, be they entrepreneurs, artists, researchers, employees, job seekers or students, with overseas projects. The OFQC offers six programs: Action Développement, a program aimed at developing partner networks and exchanging knowledge and expertise; Synergie entreprise, a program aimed at developing an entrepreneurial culture; Formation et emploi, an on-the-job professional development initiative; Coopération institutionnelle étudiante, a program to guide internship students; Poursuite d'études collégiales et universitaires en France, a program allowing students to complete some of their studies in France; and Mobilité des jeunes travailleurs, a program allowing students to obtain a temporary work permit. For more information, call 514 873-4255 or 1-800-465-4255, or visit http://www.ofqj.gouv.qc.ca/ (In French only)
Place aux jeunes du Québec
The mission of Place aux jeunes du Québec is to stem the exodus and encourage regional and urban youth who have completed or are in the process of completing university, college or vocational training programs to migrate and thus benefit all regions of Quebec. In order to support the creation of new businesses, PAJ is engaging, through a sustained technical help in business start-ups, in collaboration with young entrepreneurs who are willing to establish their entreprise in the regions. For more information, call 418 523-1117 or 1-888-966-6725, or visit http://www.placeauxjeunes.qc.ca (In French only)
Programme Mentor
Université Laval’s placement service and Entrepreneuriat Laval have created a mentorship program to facilitate student integration into the workplace, to help them understand the requirements and realities associated with their career choice and to help graduate entrepreneurs with the various stages of their enterprise’s development. For more information, call 418 656-3575 or visit http://www.spla.ulaval.ca/mentorat/home.aspx (In French only)
Regroupement québécois pour la coopération du travail (RQCT)
With a view to disseminating a work co-op's values and ways of doing things, the RQCT has been coordinating the Coopératives jeunesse de services (CJS) for nearly 20 years. Each summer, this education project allows thousands of youths between 14 and 17 to experience cooperative entrepreneurship by setting up and managing their co-operative business for which they are responsible for choosing and promoting their products and services, managing their human resources, contracts and customer service, as well as making decisions democratically. For more information, call 514 526-6267 or visit http://www.rqct.coop (In French only)
Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO)
Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) is a volunteer-based not-for profit organisation that offers a youth entrepreneurship support program in Québec. Through the Support to SME - Youth program, CESO offers, to many entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, mentorship services, technical advice and management support in developing their businesses. For more information, consult our document
Canadian Executive Service Organization - CESO Support to SME - Youth, call
3. Employment
Youth Awareness – Human Resources and Social Developement Canada – HRSDC
Youth Awareness is a component of the Youth Employment Strategy of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). It provides financial assistance to sponsors/employers to design projects that respond to specific labour market requirements and adjustments. For more information, consult our document
Youth Awareness, contact the local HRSDC office, or visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/yi/yep/programs/info.shtml
Youth Employment Services (YES)
Youth Employment Services (YES) is a non-profit, community organisation that delivers English-language job-search and self-employment services to Quebecers. The Entrepreneurship Program is open to individuals of all ages. For more information, call 514 878-9788 or visit http://www.yesmtl.org/yes.php
Accro des régions
This Web site allows youths to stay informed on employment, business opportunities, manpower needs and regional activities and services. http://www.accrodesregions.qc.ca/ (In French only).
4. Awards
Raymond-Blais bursaries
This program is for young people ages 18-30 years, who wish to find a job, take refresher courses, acquire instructional equipment or material or carry out a personal project. The program will award 100 bursaries worth $500 each and applicants must send in their applications before November 20. For more information, call 514 281-7171 or 1-800-443-8611 extension 2, or visit http://www.desjardins.com/en/a_propos/profil/engagement/
bourses/raymond_blais.jsp
Québec Entrepreneurship Contest
This major entrepreneurship contest is organised by the Education Network and its partners. Its goal is to promote the development of entrepreneurship in Québec. Two types of projects may be submitted: Business Creation, for adults who want to start a business and for new business owners; Student Entrepreneurship, for students who have carried out projects that require entrepreneurial skills. For more information, call 418 644-4255, visit the Web site or apply online at http://www.concours-entrepreneur.org/default.htm
Les Anges financiers de Montréal
Canada Economic Development has presented the annual Soirée des Anges financiers, organised jointly by the Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse (fmmj) and the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal (JCCM). The goal of this event is to help young entrepreneurs between 18 and 40 from all over Québec to create or develop their own businesses by offering them an opportunity to present their projects to experienced businesspeople, convincing them to invest in them. For more information, call 514 872-2939 or 514 845-4951 extension 24, or visit http://www.angesfinanciers.qc.ca/index_EN.html
Concours Entrepreneurs en action!
This contest, which is an initiative by the Corporation de développement économique communautaire (CDEC) Rosemont-Petite-Patrie, encourages and supports innovative projects of young Montrealers aged 18 to 35 who wish to start a business in the borough. With one of the most generous prizes in the region, the goal of the contest is to provide decisive financial support for new business creation. Every year, the entire business community and our socio-economic development partners mobilize to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. For more information, call 514 723-0030 or visit http://www.cdec-rpp.ca (In French only)
Young Entrepreneur Awards
Every year,
the BDC presents the Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA). Thirteen young canadian entrepreneurs aged between 19 and 35 – one from each province and territory – will receive these awards to recognise their accomplishments. One of them will also receive the Export Achievement Award from Export Development Canada. For more information, consult our document
Young Entrepreneur Awards,
call 1-877-232-2269, or visit http://www.bdc.ca/en/about/events_publications/young_entrepreneur_awards/
default.htm?cookie%5Ftest=2
5. Financing
The following financing programs are specific to young entrepreneurs. You will find general financing programs in our document Financing a Business.
Youth Strategy Program
This program is available through Community Futures Development Corporation – CFDC, at the local level only. The aim of the program is to check youths' drift to large urban centres. This fund targets young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35. Its purpose is to help either prospective entrepreneurs to acquire or start a new business, or established entrepreneurs to modernise or expand an existing business. Loans from $5000 to $15 000 are available with grace on interest payments for up to 24 months. For more information, consult our document
Youth Strategy Program CED-CFDC, call 418 658-1530 or your local CFDC office (consult the Entrepreneurship Assistance document for your region), or visit http://www.reseau-sadc.qc.ca/index.php?lang=en
Jeunes Promoteurs Program
This program, offered by regional Local Development Centres (CLD) or by the Services d'aide aux jeunes entrepreneurs (SAJE) in Montréal, is designed for new entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35. For the creation of a first or second business, an entrepreneur may receive a non-refundable contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs (capital expenditures, technology acquisitions, working capital). Financial assistance may also be provided for training or for feasibility studies. For more information, contact your local CLD (consult the Entrepreneurship Assistance document for your region), the Association des centres locaux de développement du Québec (ACLDQ) at 418 524-0893, or one of the SAJE in Montréal (consult the Entrepreneurship Assistance document for the Montréal region), or visit http://www.acldq.qc.ca and http://www.sajemontrealcentre.com (In French only)
Financial support program for aspiring farmers
Aimed at aspiring farmers between the ages of 18 and 40, who are acquiring an existing farm or launching a new venture, this program offers the following measures: an establishment grant to cover proper training; a start-up grant of up to $10 000; a consulting grant that offers up to $1500 to cover some of the costs incurred for consulting services; and a secure rate establishment loan, which offers protection against interest rate hikes for the first $500 000 the company borrows. For more information, call 418 838-5602 or
Regions
Young entrepreneurship – Longueuil
The Longueuil CLD has a range of tools and incentives to stimulate young entrepreneurship. The key element of this offensive is the availability of a $500,000 fund devoted to the creation or purchase of companies by young people aged 18 to 35 in Longueuil. For more information, call 450 646-3933 or visit http://www.cld-longueuil.ca/FRANCAIS/Nos_programmes/
Summaryfinancialprogram.html
Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organisation that enables young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 34 to pursue their aspirations to build a successful enterprise. The CYBF offers a loan program (up to $15 000), a structured mentor program and an online business support program. For more information, call 1-800-464-2923 or visit http://www.cybf.ca/
Société d'Investissement Jeunesse (SIJ)
The Société d'Investissement Jeunesse is a non-profit corporation managed by the Société de développement économique Ville-Marie which gives young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 personal loan guarantees in order to financially support their business projects such as starting up, acquiring or investing in the shares of a company. The company must be incorporated. The personal loan guarantee can reach $75 000. For more information, call 514 879-0558 or visit http://www.sij.qc.ca/?Lang_id=E
Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse (fmmj)
The Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse (fmmj) is a non-profit organisation with a mission to help young (18-35 years of age), low-income Montrealers to start up a business, including in the artistic community. The grants offered by the fmmj cover a maximum of 25% of the business' start-up costs, up to a maximum of $20 000. The fmmj also provides access to support and mentoring services that contribute to the success of the businesses funded. For more information, consult our document
Fondation du Maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse, call 514 872-8401, or visit http://www.fmmj.ca/en/index.php
6. Tools and other resources
Youth Link booklets
One-stop information collection of over 200 Government of Canada youth programs, services and resources. For more information, call the Youth Info-Line at 1-800-935-5555 or http://www.youth.gc.ca/yoaux.jsp?&lang=en&flash=1&ta=1&auxpageid=886
At your service! Youth
This guide addresses a number of questions and concerns important to today's youth. It lists most places where young people can find assistance or obtain guidance for everything that concerns studies, work, money, rights, etc. Aimed at 16 to 24 year-olds, At your service! Youth was developed by Québec's Secrétariat à la jeunesse in co-operation with a variety of youth organisations. http://www.jeunes.gouv.qc.ca/publications/publications.htm (In French only)
Association des clubs d’entrepreneurs étudiants du Québec (ACEE)
ACEE du Québec is a not-for-profit organisation that offers postsecondary students an alternate career path: to create jobs for themselves and others by starting a business. The Association seeks to make students aware of entrepreneurship through its clubs and help them explore the world of business with a view to ultimately starting one of their own. For more information, call 819 478-4671, ext. 328, or visit http://www.acee.qc.ca/contenu/accueil2.htm (In French only)
Entrepreneurship Explorer (EE)
This business portal for young entrepreneurs is a help portal for business creation and development based on the following fundamental steps: information on entrepreneurship, research and evaluation, pre-start-up, start-up, financing and expansion. A virtual assistant linked to a knowledge base facilitates the learning process. http://www.sajemontrealcentre.com/english/nav_6.htm (In French only)
Répertoire des programmes jeunesse – Québec government
This directory contains entrepreneurship programs and is available on the Web at http://www.jeunes.gouv.qc.ca/programmes/repertoire_programmes.htm (In French only)
youthbusiness.com
Portal for Canadian young entrepreneurs. Many subjects are covered: import/export, franchising, marketing, human resources, law, etc. http://www.youthbusiness.com/
In conclusion
We hope the information provided in this Info-Guide has been helpful to you. Many other interesting documents, tools and links may be found on our Web site.
If you need more information about business-related subjects, our agents are available to provide you with free information about federal, provincial, and municipal government programs, services, and regulations as well as some programs and services offered by the private sector.
We offer you a free library research service as well as access to data bases and Web sites of interest to business people. Our information specialists are at your disposal to answer your requests for strategic information.
Don’t hesitate to contact Info entrepreneurs at 514 496-4636 or Ressources Entreprises at 418 649-4636. In the regions, call 1-888-576-4444.
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.