Futurpreneur Canada Helps Start More New Businesses Than Ever Before

Non-profit supported the launch of 995 new Canadian businesses in the last 12 months

Organization sees a 24% increase in businesses supported

39% of businesses supported by Futurpreneur Canada were owned solely by women

For immediate release

TORONTO – (April 16, 2015) – Futurpreneur Canada is pleased to announce that it has helped launch 995 new businesses in communities across Canada in the past 12 months by providing financing and mentoring to young entrepreneurs . This represents a 24% increase compared to the last fiscal year, with an additional 195 new enterprises launched . In addition, Futurpreneur Canada’s most recent demographic information shows a significant number of young women who are pursuing entrepreneurship. In the past 12 months, 39% of Futurpreneur Canada-supported businesses launched were solely owned by women. The currently reported national average for female-only owned small businesses is 13.5% .

“We’re seeing more young people than ever turning to entrepreneurship as a career option, and with the support of public and private sector funders, community partners and mentors, we expect to help even more young entrepreneurs in the next twelve months,” said Julia Deans, CEO, Futurpreneur Canada. “It’s so important that we rally together to meet this need – these young entrepreneurs are critical to creating jobs, building communities and strengthening our economy.”

Futurpreneur Canada is a national, non-profit that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Since its inception in 1996, the organization has collaborated with all levels of government, corporate supporters and community partners to advance youth entrepreneurship in Canada and to help serve entrepreneurs in every sector and location across the country. As a result, the organization has invested in 7,500 entrepreneurs, who have created an estimated 29,800 jobs and an estimated $217,000,000 in tax revenue.

For more information about Futurpreneur Canada, please visit staging.futurpreneur.ca, like Futurpreneur on Facebook and follow @Futurpreneur on Twitter.

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About Futurpreneur Canada

Futurpreneur Canada (formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, or CYBF) has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for nearly two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,800 volunteer mentors. Futurpreneur Canada is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week. staging.futurpreneur.ca. Facebook: Futurpreneur Twitter: @Futurpreneur

For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact:

Meghan Paton
Futurpreneur Canada
416-408-2923 x 2207
mpaton@futurpreneur.ca