Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)

Futurpreneur Canada / RBC / BDC Canada-wide

Funding amount

$5,000 to $75,000

Deadline

Rolling — apply anytime

Region

Canada-wide

Funder type

Corporate Foundation

For

Businesses

Eligible organizations

startup, small business, sole proprietor

Sectors

all sectors

About this program

The Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP), funded by RBC with additional loan financing from BDC, provides young Black Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18–39 with flexible, equity-free startup loan financing of $5,000–$75,000, up to two years of free mentorship, and access to a Canada-wide network of Black entrepreneurs. After two years of successful business performance, participants may also apply for up to $40,000 in follow-on financing.

Official program page Last verified July 27, 2026 by the Happy Grants engine

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