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Youth Mean Business Program Extended

Youth Mean Business Program Extended ... Again

Community Futures Central Okanagan delivers a youth entrepreneurship program entitled Youth Mean Business since August 2011. The pilot program period has recently been extended to June 19 for new applications. The new objective for July 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015 will be to help 2 aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their own business. Competition for the program is strong so it is important to get involved quickly to avoid being left out.

The YMB Program has been very successful and has assisted over 50 youth prepare for their business launch. The program is targeted at unemployed youth aged 18-29 who are not Employment Insurance (EI) eligible and have not had an EI claim for the past three years (5 years if maternity claim). Those that are accepted into the program can expect:

  • Financial support of up to $5,000 for agreed upon living supports, targeted support such as daycare or bus pass, seed business funding, training grants and a $500 completion bonus upon successful completion of the program
  • Support for completing the application to the program including participation in a 1 day Assess Youth Business Idea workshop
  • A personal interview to review applications
  • Support in developing a participation plan
  • Ongoing one on one counseling support to assist in developing a business plan
  • Group instruction to assist with preliminary business examination and detailed business planning
  • Mentorship and business introductions
  • Additional specialized business training where appropriate
  • Assistance to complete business plan and/or business examination
  • A resource centre to conduct research and development
  • Committee review final business plan
  • Recommendations regarding start-up, action plan and implementation including seed funding, education grants and access to financing
  • The full program is expected to take 3 months depending on how quickly the participant can complete their business plan

Next steps

  1. Participants register and attend the Assess Your Business Idea Workshop.
  2. Complete Youth Mean Business application based on results of the assessment workshop.
  3. Submit Youth Mean Business applications and schedule an interview
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