MRC Beauce-Sartigan — Créavenir program

The MRC Beauce-Sartigan — Créavenir program provides financing options tailored for young entrepreneurs who lack conventional funding access. The program includes various modalities designed to support their entrepreneurial ventures.

• Line of credit up to $15,000 available at a preferential rate (prime rate + 0.5%).
• A grant of up to $5,000 to supplement the funds needed to obtain additional financing and program eligibility, not exceeding 25% of the total aid (financing + grant).
• Business credit card with a $1,000 limit offered at the rate of prime + 0.5% for everyday expenses.
• Possibility to increase the credit limit to a maximum of $30,000 (line and card combined), based on credit analysis and member needs, maintaining the same preferential rate.

Eligibility for the Créavenir grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and business situation.

• The entrepreneur must be between 18 to 39 years old.
• The applicant must wish to create a new business or currently own a business that has been active for less than three years.
• The primary source of funding for the current business must be personal.
• The applicant must lack sufficient guarantees or the necessary down payment to access conventional financing.
• The applicant must either be a member of a participating caisse or commit to becoming one for managing the business account.
• The business's primary activity must be located within the territory of the Desjardins Business Centre Beauce-Sud and Appalaches.
• The business must work and fill needs within sectors determined by the Créavenir Committee and according to local needs.
• The project must not qualify for conventional financing and should use financial assistance to leverage access to other financing and programs.
• If the business is a new entity, it must be legally constituted or in the process of legal constitution, and submit a business plan developed or validated with the partner's assistance.
• If the business is established, it must be legally constituted, active for less than three years, ensure the maintenance or creation of jobs, and present both the initial and current year's business plan.
• If acquiring an existing business, the project must ensure job maintenance or creation and permit acquiring at least 50% of the share capital of the business.
• If the business is a cooperative, at least 50% of the cooperative's directors must be 39 years old or younger.

Who is eligible?

Young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 who aim to start a business or own a business for less than 3 years (funded personally) and do not have the necessary guarantees or down payment to access conventional financing. Participants must also be members or agree to become members of a participating Desjardins caisse for business account management. The business's main activity must be located in the territory of the Desjardins Business Center in Beauce-Sud and Appalaches and operate in sectors determined by the Creavenir Committee according to community needs.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific financial aspects to assist young entrepreneurs.

• A margin of credit up to $15,000 for project financing needs.
• A subsidy up to $5,000 to complete the down payment necessary for obtaining other financing.
• A business credit card with a limit of $1,000 for current expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located in specific geographical areas within the administrative region where Desjardins operates related business services. The eligible locations align with regional development priorities and support the local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

• Companies whose primary activities are located in the territories of the Desjardins Business Centre in Beauce-Sud and Appalaches.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The programme Créavenir supports young entrepreneurs from 18 to 39 years old through adapted financial solutions without conventional guarantees.
• A maximum of 25% of the total assistance (financing + subsidy) can be constituted by the subsidy, which is aimed to serve as leverage for accessing other funds.
• Accompaniment and support in entrepreneurship, financing research, business planning, and mentorship are available through several regional partners.
• An interactive business plan tool and decision-making aids are available online at www.desjardins.com/plandaffaires.
• An increase in credit limits is possible if conditions are favorable, up to a total of CAD 30,000 (credit card + line of credit), maintaining the same favorable interest rate.