Meet the 2026 RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Awards recipients
Futurpreneur, on behalf of the Futurpreneur Foundation, and RBC Foundation are celebrating eight young entrepreneurs building businesses in communities across the country.
Across Canada, young entrepreneurs are transforming bold ideas into thriving businesses—strengthening their communities, creating new opportunities and shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
This year, Futurpreneur, on behalf of the Futurpreneur Foundation, and RBC Foundation are celebrating eight of those entrepreneurs through the 2026 RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Awards. Each recipient will receive $10,000 to support the launch and growth of their business.
Now in their sixth year, the Awards have provided a total of $480,000 to 48 young entrepreneurs since 2020. This milestone also comes as Futurpreneur marks 30 years of helping young people across Canada bring their business ideas to life.
At RBC, we believe in equipping the next generation with the skills for a thriving future,” says Gayle Corcoran, Senior Director, Social Impact, RBC. “That’s why we are proud to collaborate with Futurpreneur to deliver these awards and help young, aspiring entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas into viable businesses. Congratulations to the 2026 recipients!”
Celebrating the 2026 recipients
This year’s recipients come from seven provinces, from Vancouver to Charlottetown, and are building businesses in healthcare, technology, fashion, education, creative services and more. The cohort includes six women entrepreneurs, five Black entrepreneurs, one Indigenous entrepreneur, one entrepreneur who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ and two entrepreneurs who identify as persons with disabilities.
- Aderonke Akinloye, Corporate Enclothè, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Youth Entrepreneur Award
- Emmanuelle Camara, Outline Social, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – Youth Entrepreneur Award
- Quinette Daniel, L.E.X.I.S. Respite & Wellness Inc., Brampton, Ontario – Youth Entrepreneur Award
- Jamila Davis, Bloom & Gather, Edmonton, Alberta – Youth Entrepreneur Award
- Dennis Ezeanya, Dennison Medical Logistics, Toronto, Ontario – Emerging Black Entrepreneur Award
- Reggie Harrold, Reggie Harrold Studio, Vancouver, British Columbia – Emerging Indigenous Entrepreneur Award
- Conrad Scotchburn, Frendly, Halifax, Nova Scotia – Youth Entrepreneur Award
- Andréane Viau, Cycled Inc., Montreal, Quebec – Youth Entrepreneur Award
Every new cohort brings fresh ideas and new possibilities, and this year’s recipients are proof of that,” says Janis Nixon, Chief Growth Officer, Futurpreneur. “After three decades of working with young entrepreneurs across Canada, we’re so proud to see thousands of their ideas take root and grow into thriving businesses. Together with RBC, we’re excited to continue helping the next generation of entrepreneurs start strong, grow with confidence and build a brighter future for their communities and for Canada.”
About the Awards
The Awards are available to participants of Rock My Business, a free, virtual workshop series delivered by Futurpreneur, on behalf of the Futurpreneur Foundation, with support from RBC Foundation. The program helps young entrepreneurs build a strong foundation through three core workshops: Rock My Business Idea, Rock My Business Plan and Rock My Cash Flow.
Ready to take the next step?
Want to explore your own business idea? Visit the Rock My Business page to sign up for the next available workshops. Participants ages 18 to 39 who attend the Rock My Business Plan and Rock My Cash Flow workshops may be eligible for the next round of RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Awards.
Small Business, Big Impact: Visa Selects Futurpreneur as exclusive Canadian Non-Profit Partner
Artwork by: Rafael Mayani, a Mexican artist based in Vancouver, BC
Futurpreneur is thrilled to have been selected as Visa’s only Canadian non-profit partner for ‘Tap In to Impact,’ a global program that will extend the energy of the highly anticipated international soccer tournament beyond the pitch and into the local communities that will help bring it to life.
As part of this initiative, Visa is contributing $275,000 CAD to Futurpreneur to expand our support for young entrepreneurs, mentors and community-builders across Canada, an exciting partnership that comes during a landmark year for Futurpreneur, as we celebrate 30 years of inclusive impact.
“Tap In to Impact reinforces the vital role small businesses play in building vibrant, strong, connected communities,” said Karen Greve Young, CEO of Futurpreneur. “As we celebrate Futurpreneur’s 30th anniversary, this partnership with Visa is especially meaningful, as it will enable us to empower even more young entrepreneurs with the loan financing, mentorship and resources they need to turn ambition into action and build thriving businesses with confidence.”
Through Tap In to Impact, Visa is committing $200,000 USD to one non-profit partner in each host country of the soccer tournament ($600,000 USD total) to support their work with small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Along with Futurpreneur in Canada, Visa is partnering with Pro Mujer, a non-profit supporting women microentrepreneurs across Latin America and Mexico, and Score Association, America’s largest network of volunteer business mentors. The goal of the campaign is to provide donations that drive practical, market-relevant support for small businesses.
Read more about this exciting initiative from Visa here.
