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CBDC Youth Loan
Business loans for young Atlantic Canadians
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
If you're a young entrepreneur (18 to 34 years old) in Atlantic Canada, you could get a loan for start-up, fixed assets and working capital needs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The grant is designed to assist young entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada in establishing, expanding, or modernizing their businesses. It provides financial support for various business-related activities essential for new and existing ventures.
- Business startup activities, including initial operational costs and startup capital.
- Modernization efforts to improve or update existing business structures, systems, or processes.
- Expansion plans that facilitate business growth and capacity enhancement.
- Acquisition of business assets from previous owner, ensuring transactions are at market value.
- Leasehold improvements to prepare business premises for new startup or expansion purposes.
- Franchise purchases to expand business operations within the franchise model.
- Training and skill development programs in business management for young entrepreneurs.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The CBDC Youth Loan is specifically available to young entrepreneurs aged 18-34 who are located in rural Atlantic Canada. The loan is intended for individuals who are seeking to start, expand, or modernize their business. Eligible applicants may include those running seasonal or year-round businesses and can be organized as sole proprietorships, limited companies, or partnerships, provided that the majority control is with the new entrepreneur. The business should be economically viable and capable of creating or maintaining employment within its community. Additionally, applicants may use the loan for various business expenses, including start-up costs, fixed assets, working capital, leasehold improvements, franchise purchases, or acquiring assets of a previous business under specific conditions. The intended business must not negatively impact existing area businesses, and in certain cases, financial assistance exceeding $150,000 may be available.Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the CBDC Youth Loan Program:
- Business operations that have a negative impact on existing area businesses.
- Companies that do not have a reasonable expectation of economic viability or employment creation in the community.
Eligible expenses
The CBDC Youth Loan supports young entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada by providing the capital necessary for a successful business startup, expansion, or modernization. Eligible activities focus on various needs such as covering startup costs, acquiring business assets, or making leasehold improvements.
- Covering startup costs for a new business venture.
- Acquiring fixed assets necessary for business operations.
- Providing working capital for day-to-day business expenses.
- Facilitating leasehold improvements to business premises.
- Purchasing franchises to establish new business opportunities.
- Acquiring the assets of a previous business at market value.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is targeted towards companies located in specific geographical regions within Atlantic Canada. The eligible areas are chosen to support rural business development and employment creation.
- Businesses in rural areas of Atlantic Canada.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The CBDC Youth Loan may be combined with other types of financial assistance that CBDCs offer, potentially beyond the $150,000 threshold.
- CBDCs might offer mentoring and coaching along with financial support, to guide young entrepreneurs through business management challenges.
- Educational and training costs necessary for business management may be covered, aiding young entrepreneurs to strengthen their operational skills.
- Loan terms can be customized, potentially offering greater flexibility based on the business's needs and repayment capability.
- Loan recipients may gain access to a network of other young entrepreneurs and business professionals through CBDC programs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CBDC Youth Loan Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CBDC Youth Loan. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the CBDC Youth Loan?
If you're a young entrepreneur (18 to 34 years old) in Atlantic Canada, you could get a loan for start-up, fixed assets and working capital needs.
How much funding can be received?
CBDC Youth Loan Funds up to $150,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CBDC Youth Loan program?
To be eligible for the CBDC Youth Loan program, you must:
Available to Youth Borrowers in rural Atlantic Canada aged 18-34.
Eligible for business startup, modernization or expansion.
Eligible borrowers may be a sole proprietorship, a limited company or a partnership (majority of the care and control must reside with the new entrepreneur).
What expenses are eligible under CBDC Youth Loan?
The grant is designed to assist young entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada in establishing, expanding, or modernizing their businesses. It provides financial support for various business-related activities essential for new and existing ventures. Business startup activities, including initial operational costs and startup capital.
Modernization efforts to improve or update existing business structures, systems, or processes.
Expansion plans that facilitate business growth and capacity enhancement.
Acquisition of business assets from previous owner, ensuring transactions are at market value.
Leasehold improvements to prepare business premises for new startup or expansion purposes.
Franchise purchases to expand business operations within the franchise model.
Training and skill development programs in business management for young entrepreneurs.
Who can I contact for more information about the CBDC Youth Loan?
You can contact Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) or by phone at 1-888-303-2232.
Where is the CBDC Youth Loan available?
The CBDC Youth Loan program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the CBDC Youth Loan a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CBDC Youth Loan is a Loans and Capital investments