Young Entrepreneur Loan

Q: How much funding can be received?

Young Entrepreneur Loan Funds up to 1500000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Young Entrepreneur Loan a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Young Entrepreneur Loan is a Loans and Capital investments

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Young Entrepreneur Loan?

Young Entrepreneur Loan is funded by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program?

To be eligible for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program, you must: • Applicant must be under 40 years old • Business must be agriculture or food-related

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Young Entrepreneur Loan?

You can contact Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Q: Where is the Young Entrepreneur Loan available?

The Young Entrepreneur Loan program is available across Canada.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the Young Entrepreneur Loan program.

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

Farm Credit Canada

Government of Canada

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Documents and links

Young Entrepreneur Loan

Apply to this program

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.