Futurpreneur Awards

Thanks to all who applied! Our judges are now assessing applications.

We're celebrating the Futurpreneur entrepreneurs, mentors and partners driving inclusive impact across Canada. Finalists announced soon!

About Entrepreneur Awards Mentor Award Community Partner Award Supporters

It’s our 30th anniversary, and we’re celebrating!  

Every day across the country, Futurpreneur-supported founders are building businesses that create jobs, strengthen communities and bring new ideas to market. 
 
The Futurpreneur 30th Anniversary Awards celebrate the many amazing Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneurs who are shaping Canada’s economy today and the mentors and community partners who have helped them succeed over the past 30 years. 
 
Thank you to everyone who helped recognize the people making an impact across Canada and to those who applied for an award. 

Applications are now closed, and we’re entering the judging phase.  

Stay tuned! We’ll announce our finalists and the People’s Choice Award voting period in September 2026. 

Finalists announced soon! 

Recognizing our 30 years of inclusive impact

By the numbers

  • 21,000 diverse, young entrepreneurs launched 16,600+ made-in-Canada businesses in every province and territory, with Futurpreneur support
  • 80% of supported businesses have a five-year survival rate, 27% higher than the national average
  • $259M provided in loan financing alongside mentorship
  • 41% of supported businesses are women-led
  • 15% of supported businesses have Black founders
  • 3% of supported businesses have Indigenous founders
  • 2,100+ volunteer mentors
  • 390+ community partners

Award categories and prizes

Awards Process
  1. Nomination: To be considered for any award (Entrepreneur, Mentor or Community Partner), eligible recipients must be nominated (either by a third party or they may self-nominate).
  2. Nomination review: Futurpreneur will review all nominees to ensure their eligibility. We will contact all eligible nominees to encourage them to apply during the application period.
  3. Application: The only way to win an award is by completing an application. Each nominee must submit their own application. If multiple co-founders of the same business are nominated, they should submit a single application, as only one application will be considered for the business.
  4. Application review: The panel of judges will assess all applications received using specific criteria for each kind of award (Entrepreneur, Mentor, Community Partner).
  5. Award Finalists announced: In Summer 2026, Futurpreneur will announce the 30 regional finalists for the national Entrepreneur Awards, as well as up to eight finalists for each of the Mentor and Community Partner Awards.
  6. Entrepreneur People’s Choice Award voting period takes place: The 30 national Entrepreneur Award finalists will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, decided by popular vote through social media.
  7. Award winners announced: Three Entrepreneur Award winners, along with the Mentor Award and Community Partner Award winners, will be announced in person at the Futurpreneur 30th Anniversary Awards and Celebration in Toronto on October 28,2026.
  8. People’s Choice Award winner announced: The Entrepreneur Award finalist with the most votes will win the People’s Choice Award, with a prize of $30,000, and will also be announced in Toronto at the Futurpreneur 30th Anniversary Awards on October 28, 2026.
Awards Timeline

The timeline for the Futurpreneur 30th Anniversary Awards is as follows:

  • March 17: Nominations open at 9:00 a.m. ET 
  • April 19: Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. ET 
  • April 13: Applications open 9:00 a.m. ET 
  • May 31: Applications close at 11:59 p.m. ET 
  • June – late August: Judging period 
  • Week of August 31: All award finalists notified 
  • September 8: All award finalists announced on Futurpreneur’s website and social media; the Entrepreneur People’s Choice Award voting period opens nationally 
  • October 6: The Entrepreneur People’s Choice Award voting period closes 
  • October 28: Futurpreneur’s 30th Anniversary Awards celebration in Toronto:  
    • Three national Entrepreneur Award winners announced
    • One People’s Choice Award winner announced
    • One Mentor Award winner announced
    • One Community Partner Award winner announced
    • Futurpreneur’s Founders Hall of Fame inductees celebrated

Questions?

Please check our FAQ.

See our FAQs

If you still have questions, please contact us at: programs@futurpreneur.ca.