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Créavenir - Canada

Créavenir

Last Update: June 26, 2025
Canada
Help for entrepreneurs 18 to 39 who can't get financing

Créavenir at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $5,000
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Expert Advice
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Grant Providers
  • Desjardins
Status
Open

Overview of the Créavenir program

The program provides young entrepreneurs who want to start their own business or who have a business that's less than 3 years old with coaching, mentoring, financial aid in the form of loans and grants.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Line of credit of up to $15,000, which may increase up to $30,000 after 6 months of good financial behaviour, at the prime rate plus 0.5% for 5 years.
  • Business credit card with a credit limit of $1,000 at the prime rate plus 0.5%.
  • Grant of up to $5,000 (conditions apply), which may be used as leverage to access further funding.
  • Microcredit loans of up to $20,000 for entrepreneurs with modest financing needs.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Launching a new business by young entrepreneurs.
  • Expanding existing businesses that are less than three years old.
  • Developing viable business plans for new or emerging enterprises.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 5,000

Launching a mobile dog grooming service

$ 5,000

Starting a mobile coffee shop business

$ 5,000

Establishing an eco-friendly fashion line

$ 5,000

Expanding an organic soap business

$ 5,000

Launching a local craft brewery

$ 5,000

Creating a digital marketing agency

Eligibility criteria of the Créavenir program

  • The applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 39.
  • The business must be a new startup or an existing business that is less than 3 years old.
  • The applicant must present a viable business plan for starting or growing the business.
  • The applicant and business must not be eligible for traditional financing or not able to obtain sufficient traditional financing.
  • The applicant must be a member of a Desjardins caisse or credit union.

Who is eligible?

  • Startups founded or managed by young entrepreneurs (aged 18–39) for Créavenir
  • Early-stage or newly established businesses (less than 3 years old) for Créavenir
  • Entrepreneurs with modest financing needs (Desjardins Microcredit)
  • Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lack access to traditional financing

Eligible geographic areas

  • Abitibi-Témiscamingue – Nord-du-Québec
  • Bas-Saint-Laurent
  • Capitale-Nationale
  • Centre-du-Québec
  • Chaudière-Appalaches
  • Côte-Nord
  • Estrie
  • Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  • Lanaudière
  • Laval-Laurentides
  • Mauricie
  • Montérégie
  • Montreal
  • Ontario (selected partner organizations)
  • Outaouais
  • Rive-Sud de Montréal
  • Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Eligibility criteria of the Créavenir program

  • Strength of the business plan submitted to the partner organization.
  • Assessment by the Créavenir selection committee if the applicant lacks sufficient capital or collateral for traditional financing.

How to apply to the Créavenir program

1
Prepare Business Plan
  • Draft a comprehensive business plan demonstrating the viability of your new or existing business.
  • Include your personal investment details, expected assets, and funding requirements.
2
Present Business Plan
Bring your prepared business plan to your local entrepreneur support agency that partners with Cr?avenir.
3
Project Evaluation
If your business plan is deemed viable, the agency will verify your eligibility based on investment and guarantee insufficiencies.
4
Acceptance and Mentoring
If accepted, you will receive mentoring support during the start-up phase of your business.
5
Financial Aid Access
Qualify for a line of credit up to $15,000 at the prime rate + 0.5% for 5 years, a Business card with a credit limit up to $1,000, and possibly a grant up to $5,000.
6
Follow-up and Potential Increase
After at least 6 months, your line of credit may be increased to a maximum of $30,000 based on credit needs and scores.

Additional information

  • Social finance through Créavenir seeks to generate both financial returns and positive social impact, prioritizing community well-being.
  • Building or improving personal credit history is a potential benefit of the program for young entrepreneurs.
  • The program partners with a wide network of local organizations for personalized project support and program delivery.
  • Some program documentation and additional partner information resources are available in French only.

Apply to this program

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