Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Resources

British Columbia

You BET (Youth Business & Entrepreneurship Training)
Assessment, education and training in how to start a small business. For 19 to 24 year olds.
Contact: Michael Izen, Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture,
(250) 356-0800 or http://www.youbet.gov.bc.ca/youbet/

Greater Vancouver Venture Centre for Youth
A place where young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29 can come to grow their business or
explore opportunities to go into business.
Contact: Ken Munroe, (604) 412-4141

Manitoba

Young Entrepreneurs
Provincial program for 18 to 24 year olds. Grants available.
(204) 945-3802

Ontario

Youth Venture Loan program
Provides loan guarantees of up to $7,500 to help 18 to 29 year olds start a business.
Contact: Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, (905) 279-1142

Student Venture program
This program provides loan guarantees for loans of up to $3,000 to start a small business
for youths aged 15 to 29 years, who are returning to school.
Contact: Narvin Singh, (416) 326-5826

YEA (Young Entrepreneurs Association of Ontario) Ontario
Member-run association that brings young entrepreneurs together for networking and education.
Contact: Marilyn Hintsa, (416) 588-0908

Quebec

Info Entrepreneurs
A business information network for entrepreneurs.
(514) 496-4636

Société d’investissement Jeunesse (Youth Investment Corporation)
Provides loan guarantees of $10,000 up to $150,000 for 18 to 35 year olds.
Contact: Ministère de l’Industrie, du Commerce, de la Science et de la Technologie du Quebec.
(514) 873-8335 or (514) 875-8674
Other programs also available through the same ministry.

Nova Scotia

School Year Yes program
Loan guarantees for youths in the Grade 12 Entrepreneurship Education Course.
(902) 424-2720

Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (Y.E.S.) program
For students planning to return to school in the fall, interest free loans up to $5,000 for 16 to 29 year olds.
1-800-565-2009

New Brunswick

Student Venture Capital program
Loan guarantees for students. Up to $3,000 interest-free.
Contact: Linda Holt, (506) 453-3818

Youth Entrepreneurship Program
Training and business plan development.
Contact: Department of Advanced Education and Labour
(506) 444-1125

New Foundland

Graduate self-employment program
Provides income support of $260 per week and $800 training allowance while applicants run their
business for recent graduates of post secondary education.
Contact: Dept. of Employment and Labour Relations, (709) 729-4590

Prince Edward Island

New entrepreneur Loan program
Loans for start-up costs. Up to $15,000 for people under 35.
Contact: Enterprise PEI, (902) 426-5196

Atlantic Provinces

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Listing of all entrepreneurial programs in the Atlantic Provinces.
Visit http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/

National

Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Loans up to $15,000 for 18 to 29 year olds, sponsored by CBIC and the Royal Bank.
Contact: Larry Mah, 1-800-464-2923
Visit http://www.cybf.ca/

Young Entrepreneurship
A program offering training to help youths 17 to 24 become self sufficient in
starting their own business.
Contact: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), 1-888-463-6232

Western Youth Entrepreneur program
Loans are available up to $10,000 and mentoring as well as counselling services for
youth aged 18 to 25 years, to assist starting up. Provinces include B.C., Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Contact: Community Futures Development in each area.

Contributed by JD at 3:48 pm under Business development.