Open
Rise — Small Business Lending
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Business loans for entrepreneurs
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
If you have experienced mental health and/or addiction challenges, you could get a low-interest loan up to $10,000 to launch or grow your small business and access resources to improve your business skills.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
- Startups
Activities funded
- Launching a new small business.
- Expanding or growing an existing small business.
- Participating in events or trade shows to support business development.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 10,000
Opening a coffee shop that employs individuals in recovery from addiction
$ 10,000
Starting an online platform for addiction recovery resources
$ 10,000
Launching a wellness center providing mental health support and therapy services
$ 8,000
Creating a handmade soap business to promote mental wellness
$ 10,000
Establishing a sustainable fashion line that supports mental health advocacy
$ 10,000
Expanding a peer support group for individuals with mental health issues
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a motivated entrepreneur.
- The applicant must self-identify as an individual who has experienced mental health and/or addiction challenges.
- The applicant must be unable to access traditional bank financing for their small business.
- The applicant must reside in Canada and be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
- The applicant must not be in active bankruptcy, or behind on child support payments or government taxes.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Viability of the business concept.
- Capacity to repay the loan.
- Entrepreneur’s commitment to improving financial stability.
- Stage of business development.
- Assessment based on character as well as business factors (not solely on credit score).
How to apply
1
Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, including self-identifying as having experienced mental health or addiction challenges, and not being able to access traditional bank financing.
- Confirm you are a motivated entrepreneur residing in Canada and are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
2
Prepare Required Documents
- Complete the financing application form.
- Draft a comprehensive business plan outlining your business vision and structure.
- Prepare a one-year cash flow projection to exhibit your financial planning.
- Update your resume to reflect relevant experience and skills.
- Obtain a recent credit report to include with your application.
- Gather any additional supporting documentation that may help your application.
3
Submit Application
- Gather all prepared documents into a complete application package.
- Submit the application through the Rise online portal or mail to the designated address as directed on their site.
4
Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive confirmation of application submission via email or portal notification.
- Keep in touch with Rise for any updates or further requests for information regarding your application.
Additional information
- Rise offers a mentorship program connecting entrepreneurs with experienced business professionals for guidance and support.
- Business plan and cash flow templates are available for download to assist applicants in preparing necessary documentation.
- Rise’s lending decisions are character-based, considering both personal and business aspects, not solely credit score.
- Entrepreneurs receive support in developing business skills and financial management through additional resources.
