Futurpreneur is dedicated to supporting young Indigenous entrepreneurs between 18 to 39 through financing, expert mentorship, and access to business resources.
For over two decades, Futurpreneur has been a driving force behind Canada’s young entrepreneurs. As a national non-profit organization, their unique focus is on providing early-stage financing, mentorship, and invaluable resources to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39, empowering them to launch successful businesses. Melissa Gladue, Business Development Manager of the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program at Futurpreneur, emphasizes their commitment to this mission.
Established in 1996, Futurpreneur has enabled more than 17,700 diverse young entrepreneurs to realize their dreams, launching over 13,900 businesses spanning every province and territory. They’ve facilitated over $200 million in capital, coupled with one-on-one mentorship.
Acknowledging the specific challenges faced by Indigenous businesses, Futurpreneur introduced its Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program in 2019. Financial obstacles, including limited access to banking services and capital, have pushed many Indigenous individuals toward predatory lending institutions. To address this, Futurpreneur offers The Ohpikiwin Series, workshops focused on Indigenous business and credit knowledge. They also tackle issues like discrimination and bias within banking and educational institutions.
Futurpreneur’s dedicated team of eight Indigenous staff members, with their lived experiences and passion, strives to help Indigenous youth thrive in the business world.
Futurpreneur provides peace of mind with up to $60,000 in collateral-free financing. They offer resources and programs promoting financial empowerment and literacy, such as business plan templates and cash flow analysis tools. Their internationally recognized mentoring program pairs young entrepreneurs with seasoned experts from a network of over 2,600 volunteer mentors, ensuring they navigate the path to success effectively.
Paula Oness, a Métis woman and founder of Mind Over Everything, benefited from Futurpreneur’s support. Her clinical hypnotherapy practice helps clients form new habits, find purpose, and achieve success. Paula shares that besides the financial support, the mentorship provided by Futurpreneur has been incredibly valuable. With the right people backing her, she no longer feels hindered by barriers, highlighting how Futurpreneur can truly transform lives.
If you’re a young Indigenous entrepreneur with a big idea, Futurpreneur can help. Get connected with a dedicated team member at futurpreneur.ca/ssb.
