WeBC: Business Loans for Youth
Borrow up to $70,000 in unsecured loans for your BC business. This repayable financing requires a 10% equity investment and a 1% admin fee.
“You can apply for loans up to $150,000, with an additional $50,000 of potential lending available through our partnership with Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC).”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Approval must precede spending; expect approximately 4 weeks for a decision after submission.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a woman between 19 and 39 years old.
- You own and control at least 51% of a business registered in British Columbia.
- You can invest at least 10% of the loan amount in cash or assets.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are outside the 19-39 age range or do not meet the 51% ownership requirement.
- Your business is in the pre-startup phase requiring seed capital rather than operational funding.
- You are seeking to refinance existing debt or fund speculative investments.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $70,000 total, split between WeBC and Futurpreneur Canada.
What may be supported
- Starting a new business
- Buying an existing business
- Growing or expanding an existing business
What's excluded or restricted
- Projects in the pre-start-up phase for which seed or early-stage capital is required.
- Any business in which the owner does not have operational control over important aspects of the business (this may include some franchises).
- Any business for which the majority of gross revenues do not come from direct sales of the business’s products or services (i.e. Multi-tiered marketing projects).
- Any investment that can be considered speculative.
- Refinancing of existing debt from another lender.
- Loans greater than $70,000.
- Loans for a project that requires funding above $70,000 but which hasn't secured the additional funding.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must attend a mandatory info session and prepare a detailed business plan with market research and a 2-year cash flow forecast.
- 01Register for and attend the mandatory Business Loan Info Session.
- 02Prepare your business plan, market research, and 2-year cash flow forecast.
- 03Identify WeBC as the community partner on the Futurpreneur application form.
- 04Submit your application and documents to WeBC.
- 05Wait for the advisor assessment and final lending decision.
Who to ask: 1.800.643.7014 or email Kelly Masson, Business Advisor (if you have already attended an info session).
Documents commonly required
- Business plan with market research
- 2-year cash flow forecast
- Historic financials (if purchasing an existing business)
- Purchase agreement (if applicable)
What to know before you count on it
- You must pay a one-time 1% administration fee before the loan is disbursed.
- You must provide personal equity of at least 10% of the loan amount.
- The official page does not list the interest rate or loan term. Ask WeBC before you apply.
- Attendance at a mandatory info session is required before applying.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on your operational skills and a workable business plan. Not every application is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WeBC application fee waived?
Yes, if you identify WeBC as the community partner on the Futurpreneur application form.
Can I use this loan to buy a franchise?
Only if you have operational control over important aspects of the business; franchises where you lack this control are excluded.
What happens if I repay the loan early?
There is no penalty for early repayment.
How long does the approval process take?
Approximately 4 weeks after you submit your application and documents.
What you can combine it with
This is a joint loan with Futurpreneur Canada; do not apply for separate Futurpreneur funding for the same project.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.