Entrepreneurship Go back to Government Programs Aboriginal Business Canada Aboriginal Business Canada provides services and financial support to Canadian status and non-status Indians, Inuit and Metis between the ages of 18 and 29 who want to start their own business. For more information, visit Aboriginal Business Canada via the Internet or contact their office nearest you. Web site - http://abc.gc.ca Halifax Office: 1 902 426-2018 Business Development Bank of Canada BDC offers financial and consulting services to assist small and medium sized businesses at every level of business development. Programs geared towards the needs of high-technology or knowledge-based businesses, exporters, Aboriginal enterprises and emerging markets are also available. For more information, visit the BDC branch nearest you, call toll-free (1 888 463-6232) or visit the Bank's Web site at http://www.bdc.ca. First Jobs in Science and Technology This program provides small businesses with funding to hire recent science and technology graduates. For more information, contact: Western Economic Diversification Canada Telephone: 1 888 338-9378 Internet: http://www.wd.gc.ca First Nations and Inuit Youth Business Program The First Nations and Inuit Youth Business Program provides proactive business opportunity advice, mentoring, advisory support, and capital to explore or develop a business opportunity. Out-of-school, unemployed First Nations youths (ages 15 - 30) as well as underemployed youths, part-time students and those at risk of dropping out of school are considered for this program. For more information, visit the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Web site http://www.inac.gc.ca/youth/index.html or the Aboriginal Youth Network Web site http://www.ayn.ca. FITTskills The FITTskills program provides hands-on training on the practical aspects of international business. Topic areas include: Global Entrepreneurship, International Marketing, International Trade Finance, International Trade Logistics, International Market Entry and Distribution, International Trade Research, Legal Aspects of International Trade, and International Trade Management. FITTskills is available through community colleges, universities and private organizations across Canada. For more information, contact FITT at: Telephone: 1 613 230-3553 Toll-free: 1 800 561-3488 Fax: 1 613 230-6808 Internet: http://www.fitt.ca E-mail: corp@fitt.ca Selling to the Government If you are interested in providing goods and/or services to the federal government, you can call the Contracts Canada Information Centre at ( 1 819 956-3440) or the PWGSC office in St John's (1 709 772-4392). Information is also available at http://contractscanada.gc.ca. Export related services to Entrepreneurs The Export Development Corporation provides many different services to entrepreneurs who want to export goods to foreign buyers. Call the Emerging Exporters Team toll-free at (1 800 850-9626) Monday through Friday. More information is also available at http://www.edc.ca Student Business Loans Students who are intending to return to school full-time in the fall are eligible for loans of up to $3000 to help them start and run their own business during the summer. These loans are interest-free until early October, when full payment is due. For more information, contact your local HRDC or HRDC for Students Office. Both of these numbers are listed in the Government of Canada pages in your telephone directory. You can also call the Business Development Bank of Canada toll-free at (1 888 463-6232) or visit BDC's Web site at http://www.bdc.ca. Western Youth Entrepreneurs Program This program helps young people (ages 18 - 25) recognize their goals and start a small business. People taking part in the program will have guidance in business planning, development and operations, mentoring and counselling, and access to small business loans of up to $10000. For more information, contact: Western Economic Diversification Canada Telephone (toll-free): 1 888 338-9378 Internet: http://www.wd.gc.ca Young Entrepreneur Financing Participants of this program can receive financing of up to $25000 plus 50 hours of tailor-made business management support to help get their businesses off the ground. For more information, contact the nearest Business Development Bank of Canada branch, call tool-free (1 888 463-6232) or visit BDC's Web site at http://www.bdc.ca. Young Entrepreneurs Information Hotline (not a program) If you are looking for information on how to get started in your own business this is a great place to start. Information Hotline: 1 800 668-1010 ACOA Seed Capital and Counselling Program This program offers loans of up to $15000 for business start up and covers up to $2000 for counselling and training costs. You must be between 18 and 29 to be eligible. For more information, call toll-free at 1 800 668-1010. Youth Ventures Program Students who are returning to high school or post-secondary institutions can receive support for their summer enterprises with this program. For more information, contact: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Telephone: (709) 772-0212 Fax: (709) 772-2712 ----or---- Youth Ventures Program Telephone (709) 651-4738 Fax: (709) 651-3295   Go back to Government Programs   Last updated: 2000-07-31