$14 million commitment will sustain organization's impact
OTTAWA, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Today's federal budget confirmed that the Government of Canada has young people and innovation at the heart of its goals with its investment of $14 million over two years in Futurpreneur Canada. Futurpreneur looks forward to helping the Government of Canada to achieve its substantial goals, and will work with it and other partners to secure the long term funding needed to deliver increased impact.
"Futurpreneur is grateful for this $14 million investment from the federal government, which will help us to maintain our current level of support for aspiring young entrepreneurs," said Julia Deans, CEO, Futurpreneur Canada. "We know that many more young people need our help to launch and grow businesses across our country, and we will work hard to leverage this federal investment and get the resources we need to meet their needs."
Through this renewed investment in Futurpreneur's comprehensive start-up offerings, which include critical business coaching, financing, and mentorship, the Government of Canada will reach many tens of thousands of youth. Of these, 2,400 young entrepreneurs will start 2,060 new businesses in the next two years.
In order to provide these 2,400 young people with the help they need to succeed, Futurpreneur will seek further support and resources from government, corporate and community partners.
"Futurpreneur Canada has a long track record of building successful entrepreneurs," said John Risley, Chair of Futurpreneur Canada's Board of Directors, and Chairman and CEO, Clearwater Fine Foods Inc. "The federal government's continued support reflects the value the organization brings to the Canadian entrepreneurial landscape."
As Canada's youth unemployment rate remains high, Futurpreneur sees more young people pursuing entrepreneurship as a career option. Investing in young people brings considerable rewards. Small businesses led by young people are more powerful job creators than other small and medium-sized enterprises, and they have higher growth rates.
About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has helped an estimated 10,000 enterprising young people launch more than 8,100 businesses across Canada since 1996. We're the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools that aspiring business owners aged 18-39 need to launch and grow successful Canadian businesses. Our internationally recognized mentoring program matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of almost 3,000 volunteer mentors. Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week. For more information, please visit www.futurpreneur.ca, like Futurpreneur on Facebook and follow @Futurpreneur on Twitter.
www.futurpreneur.ca Facebook: Futurpreneur Twitter: @Futurpreneur
SOURCE Futurpreneur Canada
For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact: Megan te Boekhorst, Communications and Public Relations Specialist, Futurpreneur Canada, 416-408-2923 x 2120, [email protected]
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