Young Entrepreneur Loan
Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Loans for youth-led agricultural or food-related business
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $1,500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
Financing Type
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Accommodation and food services
Funds Providers
Program status
Open
Overview
Access up to $1,5 million in loans for your agricultural or food-related business, if you are under 40 years old.
Financing terms and conditions
- Financing available for up to $2,000,000 for purchasing or improving an agricultural or food-related business.
Activities funded
- Starting or expanding an agricultural or food-related business.
- Purchasing shares in an agricultural or food-related enterprise.
- Buying an existing agricultural or food-related business.
- Improving an agricultural or food-related business.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Purchase of advanced irrigation systems for fruit orchard expansion
$ 150,000
Improvement of a community garden and vegetable market
$ 800,000
Expansion of organic dairy farm to include cheese production facility
$ 750,000
Improvement of processing facilities for a seafood company
$ 1,400,000
Acquisition of an organic food store chain
$ 250,000
Purchase of new hydroponic systems for urban farming business
Eligibility
- The applicant must be under 40 years of age.
- The business must be involved in the agricultural or food sector.
- The applicant must have a viable business plan to start, purchase, or improve an agricultural or food-related business.
Who is eligible?
- Agricultural businesses
- Food-related businesses
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of agriculture or food-related assets
- Acquisition of shares in an agricultural or food-related business
- Improvement of an existing agricultural or food-related business
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:
- Borrower's age must be under 40
- Submission of a good business plan
- Business must be agriculture or food-related
- Ability to establish or expand the business
- Preference for purchases of agriculture assets
How to apply
1
Contact Local Office (initial engagement)
- Reach out to your nearest FCC office to express your interest in the Young Entrepreneur Loan.
- Discuss your business idea with an FCC representative to understand the loan conditions and obtain guidance on the application process.
2
Develop Business Plan (documentation preparation)
- Create a comprehensive business plan detailing your business idea, market analysis, business structure, and financial projections.
- Ensure the plan highlights how the loan will assist in purchasing, buying shares in, or improving an agricultural or food-related business.
3
Gather Required Documentation (information gathering)
- Collect all necessary documents that support your application, such as financial statements, credit history, and personal identification.
- Include any additional documents suggested by the FCC representative.
4
Complete Application Form (formal application)
- Fill in the loan application form obtained from the FCC office or their online platform.
- Verify all information is accurate and aligns with the documents provided.
5
Submit Application (submission process)
- Submit the completed application form along with the business plan and all supporting documents to the designated FCC office or via their online submission portal.
- Ensure all components of the application are included before submission to avoid delays.
6
Application Review and Follow-Up (post-submission)
- Wait for FCC to conduct a review of your application and business plan.
- Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or clarification.
Additional information
- AgExpert Bundle included: One year of AgExpert Accounting Premium and AgExpert Field Premium provided (valued at $499).
- Borrowers can take up to 18 months to make purchases after approval.
- No loan processing fees are charged.
- Preferential rates may be available for qualifying applicants.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Young Entrepreneur Loan Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Young Entrepreneur 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 Young Entrepreneur Loan?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Young Entrepreneur Loan?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Young Entrepreneur Loan a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Young Entrepreneur Loan?
Who is eligible for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Young Entrepreneur Loan?
Where is the Young Entrepreneur Loan available?
Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program?
Apply to this program
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