Young Entrepreneurs Info-Guide

What is an Info-Guide?

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre created Info-Guides to help you navigate through the wide range of programs and services in a specific area as well as related regulations that may affect your business venture. Info-Guides featuring other topics of interest are also available by contacting the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 204-984-2272 (in Winnipeg) or 1-800-665-2019 (toll free in Canada) or by e-mail at manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Financing
• Services

Financing

Aboriginal Business Canada - Young Entrepreneurs
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - INAC
Phone: 204-983-7316 or Toll free 1-800-665-3421
Fax: 204-983-4107
E-mail: abc-winnipeg@ic.gc.ca
Internet: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inabc-eac.nsf/en/h_ab00326e.html

Offers funding assistance, counselling, and information to Canadian Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit individuals who are considering starting, acquiring or expanding a business either on or off reserve.  Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.

Aboriginal Youth Business Loan Fund
Doug Repay
Louis Riel Capital Corporation (LRCC)
Phone: 204-589-0772 or 1-800-387-6004
Fax: 204-589-0791
E-mail: info@lrcc.mb.ca

This program offers loans of $15,000, at a preferred rate of interest, to eligible entrepreneurs under the age of 36.  A portion of this loan may be forgivable.

Canadian Youth Business Foundation
c/o Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
Phone: 204-984-2272 or Toll free 1-800-665-2019
Internet: http://www.cybf.ca/

The Foundation's mission is to inspire, support and promote young Canadian entrepreneurs who are between 18 and 34 years of age.  Loan clients are required to work with a business mentor for the duration of their dealings with the Foundation.  Unsecured loans of up to $15,000 are available to eligible applicants who have a viable business plan.

SEED Winnipeg Inc. - Supporting Employment & Economic Development
Phone: 204-927-9935
Fax: 204-927-9930
E-mail: info@seedwinnipeg.ca
Internet: http://www.seedwinnipeg.ca/

Assists low-income individuals or groups establish small businesses by providing business planning assistance, training and after-care services as well as access to business loans and the Enhanced Self Employment Program. All services are free.

Sell a business
Business Development Bank of Canada - BDC
Phone: 1-877-232-2269
Internet: http://www.bdc.ca/en/business_solutions/financial_services/succession_planning.htm

Offers consulting and financing solutions to Canadian entrepreneurs who must plan the succession of their business. Under the program, financing is available for both tangible and intangible assets.

Young Entrepreneurs Program
Phone: 204-945-4284 or Toll free 1-800-282-8069 Ext: 4284
E-mail: shaun.hampton@gov.mb.ca
Internet: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/Employers/Youngentrepreneurs.html

This program encourages Manitoba’s young people between the ages of 18 and 29 to start their own full-time, year-round business and pursue self-employment as a career choice. Under the program, approved applicants are eligible for a reimbursement grant of up to $4,000 to help defray business start-up costs and capital expenditures.

Services

Aboriginal Youth Mean Business! (AYMB)
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Phone: 204-945-0447 or Toll free 1-800-883-0398
Internet: http://www.aymb.ca/

This program supports Aboriginal youth in Manitoba who have started or plan to start their own business by sponsoring information exchanges, providing youth mentorship opportunities and supporting Aboriginal youth business awards and recognition events.

Business Incubator and Mentoring Network
Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM)
Phone: 204-925-2320 or Toll free 1-800-990-2332
Fax: 204-237-4618
E-mail: cdem@cdem.com
Internet: http://www.cdem.com/english/site.asp?go=Services&page=fiche27

Designed for young entrepreneurs who are 35 years of age or younger, the Business Incubator and Mentoring network offers the ability for new businesses to locate directly in the incubator (which is located in CDEM's Winnipeg offices at 200 - 614, rue Des Meurons), rent work space for a minimal cost and have access to a computer, printer, phone, fax machine, Internet and a meeting room. The program also offers the ability for participants to meet other young entrepreneurs and have access to the network of CDEM entrepreneurs, staff of business advisors and to a number of training programs. Participants who elect to set up their business in one of Manitoba's bilingual municipalities will still have access to the Network's training program and will meet regularly with mentors and business advisors.

Job Bank
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - HRSDC
E-mail: jobbank-guichetemplois@canada.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca

Allows employers to post job openings free of charge via the Internet. Once an advertisement has been successfully posted on the Job Bank, employers can search by Job Number and are also given the option to 'Perform a Match'. Selecting this option will provide employers with a list of qualified candidates for their job vacancy.

Skill Development for Young Entrepreneurs
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Phone: 204-945-4764 or Toll free 1-800-282-8069 Ext: 4764
E-mail: heather.hartry@gov.mb.ca
Internet: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/Employers/SkillDevelopmentYoungEntrepreneurs.html

This program is designed to enhance the skills of Manitoba's young people (18 to 29 years) who have started, or plan to start their own full-time business. Approved applicants are eligible for a grant of up to 50% of costs (to a maximum of $1,000.00; $1,500.00 for northern residents) to complete an accredited business related training course.  Pre-approval prior to the commencement of the course is mandatory.

Skills Link Program - Employability Skills through Entrepreneurship
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - HRSDC
Phone: 1-800-935-5555
Internet: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/yi/yep/newprog/skillslink.shtml

Proposals and applications can be submitted to a local Human Resource Centre of Canada - HRSCC.   The locations of  these centres can be accessed at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/offices/mb.shtml

Helps youth between the ages of 15 to 30 facing barriers to employment develop the broad range of skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate in the job market or to become self-employed. Activities could include skill enhancement, business plan development and implementation, support during business start-up, mentorship and aftercare.

Student Connections
Industry Canada - IC
Red River College
Phone: Toll Free 1-888-807-7777
Internet: http://www.studentconnections.ca/en/index.asp

This program hires senior college and university students to train small and medium sized companies and non-profit groups on Internet business applications such as Internet basics and e-business as well as customized training presentations.

Young Entrepreneur Awards
Business Development Bank of Canada - BDC
Phone: Toll free 1-877-232-2269
Internet: http://www.bdc.ca/en/about/events_publications/young_entrepreneur_awards/default.htm?cookie%5Ftest=1

Each year, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) honours the achievements of dynamic young Canadian business people between the ages of 19 to 35 through the BDC Young Entrepreneur Awards. Outstanding entrepreneurs representing thirteen businesses -- one from each province and territory -- are selected using the following criteria: the originality of the business concept, its success, growth potential and social involvement. Other criteria considered include the entrepreneur's age when the business was started and any special challenges that had to be overcome.

Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4B3
Canada
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@canadabusiness.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/manitoba
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

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.