These pages contain information to help you take your next step.
Empowering Canada’s Young Entrepreneurs
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing Canada’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character, not collateral, when providing youth aged 18-39 with pre-launch coaching, business resources, low-interest financing of up to $15,000, and industry-leading mentoring to help them launch and sustain successful businesses. CYBF’s co-financing partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, leverages CYBF’s application process to provide up to $30,000 in additional support for CYBF entrepreneurs. Established in 1996, CYBF has been recognized as a global leader in advancing youth entrepreneurship. CYBF is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of The Prince’s Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (being held November 18-24, 2013). CYBF helps more than 700 young Canadians launch businesses in all sectors and industries every year by offering four fully integrated services that are built around the life cycle of their businesses, and that help increase the success of every new startup.
1. Pre-launch coaching Through the hands-on personal guidance of CYBF’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, we provide budding entrepreneurs with help on a wide variety of topics, including creating a solid plan and developing financing strategies.
2. Business Plan Writer At CYBF we recognize the importance of having the right tools and easy access to quality resources for all of our clients. That is why we offer a robust online Business Resource Centre and interactive Business Plan Writer to serve the needs of entrepreneurs, mentors, and our community and referral partners. Please visit www.cybf.ca/resources to start using these tools.
3. Low-interest financing Money is the lifeline of any business. However, when it comes to young people looking to secure financing for their new start-up, with little to no collateral and/or student debts, it can be a daunting task. CYBF provides start-up financing based on character and a great business idea, up to $15,000 with a five-year repayment schedule, and no principal payments in the first year. Furthermore, our co-financing partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, provides entrepreneurs with up to an additional $30,000 to get their businesses off the ground.*
Plus, through The Big Idea Labs w orkshops, you m ay be eligible for up to $75,000 in financing and grants to launch your business idea.
4. Industry-leading mentoring CYBF’s highly qualified and dedicated volunteer business mentors bring their years of experience to our young entrepreneurs; encouraging them, sharing their knowledge, and celebrating their successes. Their advice helps many new business owners stay focused and achieve great results. We hand-match every entrepreneur with a professional business mentor for a minimum of two years to ensure they have support during the critical startup phase, and CYBF’s Entrepeer Program provides ongoing support.
Learn more To learn more about how CYBF supports young entrepreneurs – like you – to apply to one of our programs, or to sign up for our regular e-newsletter, visit www.cybf.ca. And see the next page for The Big Idea Labs experience and how it can support you.
Your next steps After you’ve been through The Big Idea Labs: refine and submit your idea model again; prepare and submit a business plan; and connect with the great folks at CYBF to take it forward and create an amazing new business!