Ready to start your business?

Indigenous entrepreneurs, ages 18-39, can benefit from startup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, along with access to resources and networking.

Sign up for more information

Our offering

The IESP is designed and operated by an Indigenous team that understands the barriers to success faced by young and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. IESP provides startup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, supported by a team with lived experience, offering access to tools and networking opportunities across Canada.

Inclusive financing

A flexible equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000* available to entrepreneurs on reserve. *conditions apply

Mentorship

Receive up to two years of 1:1 mentorship from an experienced business leader.

Resources

From Futurpreneur’s Ohpikiwin workshop series, designed to strengthen financial empowerment through an Indigenous lens, to our helpful business planning workshops and tools.

Networking opportunities

Engage with a national network of Indigenous entrepreneurs, leaders and Indigenous-led community organizations at a range of entrepreneurial events.

Are you eligible for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program?

See here for the top level criteria you have to meet to be eligible or click the button to see the full list:

See full eligibility criteria here
You must self-identify as Indigenous

Indigenous entrepreneurs who self-identify as members of other communities are also welcome to apply for support from Futurpreneur.

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18-39

When you apply you must be within the stated age range in order to be eligible.

You are looking to launch a business or have been operating your business for less than one year

In order to be eligible, your business must not yet be operational or can only have been operating full time for 12 months or less.

Some of our trusted partners

Become a Community Partner

Does your organization help young Indigenous entrepreneurs launch businesses? Find out how we can partner with you to provide financing, mentoring and other resources to help them succeed. Call or email us today!

FAQ

Can’t find the answers you’re looking for? See our general FAQs.

What is the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program?

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program offers participating Indigenous entrepreneurs age 18-39 across Canada:

  • Inclusive financing: from $5,000 to $75,000 in startup loan financing (up to $50,000 delivered by Futurpreneur, funded by Royal Bank of Canada [RBC]; and up to $25,000 loaned by BDC); and
  • Mentorship: Up to two years of 1-1 expert mentorship; and
  • Resources: From our Rock My Business series, interactive Business Plan Writer to our Cash Flow Template, we provide access to the resources you need to succeed; and
  • Networking opportunities: Engage with a growing national network of Indigenous entrepreneurs, leaders and Indigenous-led community organizations at entrepreneurship events; and
  • Follow-on financing: The opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 in follow-on financing delivered by Futurpreneur, funded by RBC, based on the first two to three years of successful business performance.
Why does Futurpreneur have a specific program supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs

Content TBC.

How is the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program different from your other programs?

At Futurpreneur we welcome aspiring, young entrepreneurs age 18-39 from all backgrounds to apply for support through our core Startup Program. Successful applicants receive up to $75,000 in loan financing (up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur and up to $50,000 from BDC) and up to two years of mentorship. They also gain access to a range of events, programs and resources.

Building on this program, we also offer the following initiatives:

  • Side Hustle program: Sponsored by TD Bank, supports young entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow a part-time business, providing them with up to $25,000 in Futurpreneur loan financing, plus up to two years of mentorship and resources.
  • Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program: Provides tailored support to aspiring, young Indigenous entrepreneurs. Delivered by an Indigenous team with lived experience, this program builds upon all the offerings of our core Startup Program, and also provides access to workshops and events led by Indigenous business experts, national networking opportunities and specialized resources.
  • Black Entrepreneur Startup Program: Launched in March 2021, this program is delivered by a team with lived experience and builds upon all the offerings of our core Startup Program. Funded by RBC, with additional loan financing from BDC, it provides participants with $5,000 to $75,000 in inclusive startup loan financing and networking opportunities. It also offers the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 in follow-on financing, funded by RBC, based on the first two years of successful business performance.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program?

In addition to meeting all eligibility requirements for our regular Startup Program, participants in the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program must meet the following requirements:

  • Self-identify as Indigenous and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents age 18-39; and
  • TBC
To participate in this program, how is a person determined to be Indigenous?

To participate in this program, participants must self-identify as Indigenous. Intersectionality is also welcomed (e.g., those who identify as Black and Indigenous are eligible for this program).

Will there be Indigenous mentors as part of this program?

Our 2,500 volunteer mentors are a diverse group of business professionals, representing a range of ethnicities, including Indigenous, and based in communities across Canada. As part of this initiative, we will continue to build our network, actively onboarding expert Indigenous business mentors who would like to volunteer their time to support young Indigenous entrepreneurs as they launch and grow their businesses. Mentorship is core to the support Futurpreneur provides and has been proven to be a key determinant to the success of a business in its critical first years post launch. While not all mentors for this program will be Indigenous, we know that having strong Indigenous role models with lived experiences will allow for a meaningful, dynamic and authentic experience for mentor and mentee, and will do our best to accommodate requests for Indigenous mentors.

Ready to start your entrepreneurial journey?

Sign up here to get connected with a dedicated team member to learn more about Futurpreneur’s loan with mentorship and resources.
Alternatively, if your complete business plan and 24 month cash flow are ready for submission to Futurpreneur, click here to get started!

"*" indicates required fields

General info

Name*

Contact info

Language Preference*

Offering info

In addition to our core startup programs, we have tailored programs for Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Please let us know if you would be eligible for these programs:
I identify as Black
I identify as Indigenous