Futurpreneur Canada – Newcomer Program: Quick Guide for Young Entrepreneurs
Description:
The Futurpreneur Newcomer Program aims to help entrepreneurs who recently arrived in Canada and don’t have a credit history necessary to secure financing.
Comments on Funding:
Funding from Futurpreneur is up to $12,500 per business. BDC may provide up to another $12,500.
Futurpreneur Canada loan terms and fees:
- up to $12,500 with a term over five years;
- interest is charged at CIBC’s prime rate + 3.00%;
- interest-only payments for the first year;
- principal repayments are made in equal monthly instalments together with interest, over the remaining four years;
- no penalty for early repayment;
- a one-time loan management fee of 1% of the total loan amount is charged at time of disbursement.
Eligibility:
The applicant must:
a) Demonstrate some training/experience related to his business idea.
b) Create full-time sustainable employment for the applicant(s).
c) Agree to work with a mentor for up to two years (4 to 5 hours a month).
d) Produce a complete and viable business plan by the end of the application process.
e) Business fully operating for fewer than 12 months.
f) Agree to complete Futurpreneur Canada status updates every month.
g) Agree to provide authorization for Futurpreneur Canada to carry out a credit check.
h) Supply two personal references.
i) Assure that the business is NOT in the research and development stage.
j) Assure that financing proceeds may not be used for refinancing existing debt.
k) BDC financing through a Futurpreneur Canada application is not available to all persons, corporations, firms and companies who are already a BDC borrower.
l) Have a business plan that falls within specified industry guidelines in order to be approved for financing. All BDC loans are subject to the eligibility criteria of the BDC.
m) Demonstrate that he has been discharged from bankruptcy for at least five years or one year after receipt of a Certificate of Full Performance in the case of a Consumer Proposal.
n) For establishments serving alcohol, a maximum of 49% of revenues can be generated from the sale of alcohol when same is consumed on-site. Exempt from this are producers such as craft breweries, wine and spirit producers, brew-it-yourself type locations.
o) Any age eligible entrepreneur (18-39 years old) who owns 5% or less of the business does not need to be party to Futurpreneur Canada and BDC application.
p) The amount invested, or to be invested in the Business, by the persons other than BDC and the character of the investment are such that a reasonable lender may expect that those persons will have a continuing commitment to the business An amount of 10% of the total project plan financing will in general be considered as sufficient for the entrepreneur investment.
Additional eligibility criteria for partnerships and incorporated businesses:
Additional eligibility criteria for incorporated businesses with more than two shareholders:
Additional eligibility criteria for entrepreneurs interested in purchasing an existing business through a succession plan:
Applications Steps:
Register online for the Newcomer Program.
Share a draft business plan and cash flow (Futurpreneur can help if you don’t have one!)
Futurpreneur will check credit score and business plan to make sure applicants are eligible.
Submit supporting documents, including a final, complete business plan and cash flow statement, business registration and ID.
The application will be reviewed.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
- a draft business plan and cash flow;
- final business plan and cash flow statement,
- business registration and
- ID.
Program Contact:
When It Ends:
Ongoing
Deadline:
Rolling deadline