SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
This section contains information about programs designed for unemployed Albertans who have a viable business
idea, personal attributes necessary to be successful at self-employment and who are in need of self-employment
training. For some of these programs learners may be eligible to receive Alberta Works funding. Check with the
training provider for details.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
#370 The Kananoff Centre, 1202 Centre St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5A5
www.awebusiness.com
Roadmap for Success
Ph: 1-800-713-3558
Email:
info@awebusiness.com
This three-hour for start-up entrepreneurs provides an introduction on how to
develop a business plan. Facilitated by a business advisor, the session includes
a comprehensive workbook with detailed information, business plan samples
and a list of resources.
Clients will learn how to:
• Draft the basic components of a good business plan to help them move
forward with confidence.
• Conduct informative marketing research.
• Create financial plans that will support business viability.
Cost: $45 + GST
Futurpreneur Canada (FC)
Ste. 418, 10325 Bonaventure Dr. SE, Calgary, AB T2J 7E4
www.futurpreneur.ca
Newcomers Program
http://www.futurpreneur.ca/
en/programs/newcomer/
Customized support and financing is offered to newcomers who are starting
their own business or in in their first year of business by providing:
• Pre–launch coaching
• Unsecured, low interest financing up to $15,000 from Futurpreneur and BDC
amortized over five years
• Cultural mentoring
• Interactive online business planners
• Online resources and articles
Eligibility:
• Have Canadian Landed Immigrant status
• 18-39 years old
• Lived in Canada less than 60 months
• Possess a solid working knowledge of English or French
• Provide three character-based references (at least two must be Canadian
citizens)
Prince’s Operation
Entrepreneur
http://www.futurpreneur.ca/
en/programs/operationentrepreneur/
A national program to support transitioning Canadian Forces members in
realizing their dream of entrepreneurship.
• Entrepreneurial education and business planning support
• One on one business mentoring
• Award-winning Based in Business entrepreneurial boot camp
• Networking and community support
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Eligibility: Based in Business is a program for recently retired and transitioning
Canadian Forces members of any age interested in starting their own business.
Applicants should consult a Personnel Selection Officer (PSO Transition
counseling) and/or SISIP Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP) Counselor, if
they are a SISIP VRP client, and inform their Commanding Officer of their
application to the program.
Start-Up Program
Contact: Rob Price,
Director, Alberta
Toll-free: 1-800-464-2923
Fax: 403-265-2343
Email:
rprice@futurpreneur.ca
http://www.futurpreneur.ca/
en/programs/startup/financing
Provides financing and mentoring to young entrepreneurs, aged 18-39 years,
who would like to start their own business or are in their first year of
business. Up to $15,000 unsecured financing is provided based on character,
not collateral, with flexible, low interest repayment rates amortized over five
years. Loans are provided to young entrepreneurs who may not qualify for
funding from conventional lending institutions.
Entrepreneurs are matched with an experienced mentor who works with them
an average of four hours per week for two years. Mentors are hand-matched
based on entrepreneur’s needs.
To help young entrepreneurs succeed, the program partnered with the Business
Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to provide young entrepreneurs an
exclusive offer. When they receive financing from Futurpreneur Canada, BDC
can provide them with up to twice the initial amount for added financial support;
that is, up to an additional $30,000 to get their business off the ground, for a
possible total of $45,000 start-up financing. BDC does have specific
qualifications for their matching program, which can be found at the website.
Eligibility:
• 18-39 years old
• Have a viable business plan
• Business is new or under a year old
• Business will be a fulltime career
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Agree to work with a mentor for two years
Momentum
#16, 2936 Radcliffe Dr. SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6M8
www.momentum.org
All Momentum programs are designed for individuals with barriers to accessing similar training elsewhere such as
lower income, cultural or language differences.
ABCs of Small Business
Contact: Firyal Mohamad,
Business Development
Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2663
Fax: 403-235-4646
Email: abc@momentum.org
Intake Dates: Continuous
Intake Part-time for
12 weeks, Tues and Thur
evenings
Prerequisite: Exploring
Entrepreneurship
This modularized self-employment training program is specifically designed to
assist people in starting and operating their own small business.
Module 1: Feasibility Study
Prerequisite: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Participants will develop a feasibility study of their proposed business after
receiving business training in the subjects of the entrepreneurial mindset,
market research, sustainable competitive advantage and financial projections.
Module 2: Business Plan Development
Prerequisite: Feasibility Plan
Subject specialists will lead participants through the information required in a
business plan. Subjects include business mission and vision, marketing
strategies, financing, implementation, financial statements and operations.
Module 3: Business Operations
Participants learn from experienced speakers how to plan for and conduct the
day-to-day operational tasks involved in operating a business. Topics include
bookkeeping, human resources, insurance, legal and licensing issues. Growing
your business and success strategies are also covered.
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Business Basics 15
Contact: Firyal Mohamad,
Business Development
Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2663
This 15-hour program is designed as a training primer for participants aged 18+.
The primary focus is for learners to assess the feasibility of their business idea.
An entrepreneurial character assessment and feasibility study will be completed
to provide a good understanding of both their capacity as an entrepreneur and
their business’s potential. There is no cost for this program.
Prerequisite: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Business Basics 30
Contact: Firyal Mohamad,
Business Development
Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2663
This 30-hour program is for participants aged 18+ who require introductory
business training to develop a simplified business plan. Participants will learn
about the essential elements of business planning relevant for smaller scale
businesses. Key learning topics include: what are you selling, who are you
selling it to, what will it cost and how much will you make. Businesses that are a
fit for this stream are small scale (like selling a craft or walking dogs) and likely a
supplementary income source to another job or benefit, such as AISH. Peer
support, 1:1 coaching and mentorship are additional assets are also available.
Upon successful completion of the business plan, participants may qualify for a
micro business loan. There is no cost to this program.
Prerequisite: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring
Entrepreneurship
Contact:Elizabeth Lau,
Business Development
Assistant
Ph: 403-204-2671
Email:
business@momentum.org
Dates: TBA
This three-hour workshop introduces the pros and cons of self-employment.
Topics discussed include: idea generation, business viability and
entrepreneurial strengths. Participants complete a self-assessment to determine
if self-employment is for them. An introduction to other full-time and part-time
programs is offered by the Business Development department and is a
prerequisite for the Self-Employment Program, ABCs of Small Business, the
Women’s Venture Program, Business Basics 15 and Business Basics 30.
Gear Up for Success
Contact: Philip Lozano,
Business Development
Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2681
Email:
Philipl@momentum.org
Dates: Nine times per year
Workshops are offered on topics entrepreneurs need to succeed in today’s
business world. Led by subject specialists, participants learn with their peers the
most recent information and trends.
Micro Business Loans
Contact: Sergio Ribera,
Business Development
Loans Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2685
Email:
sergior@momentum.org
Continuous Intake
Participants who attend a Momentum business development program or have
complete a formal self-employment program (eg. with MNP) can apply for a
Micro Business Loan to support entrepreneurs in the start-up and expansion of
their business. These are character-based loans for persons having barriers
accessing conventional business financing (bank loans) and provide an
opportunity to capitalize a business and to establish or repair credit history.
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Self-Employment (SE)
Program
Contact: Grady Hamilton,
Business Development
Facilitator
Ph: 403-204-2682
Email:
gradyh@momentum.org
OR Business Development
Assistant
Ph: 403-204-2671
Email:
selfemployment@momentu
m.org
Call for intake dates.
This full-time daytime program is created specifically to assist unemployed
individuals who envision starting a business as the most logical avenue to
becoming economically self-sufficient. Each person will create and implement
his/her own small business plan through training and coaching support.
Subjects covered include the entrepreneurial mindset, business research
strategies, registration, insurance, licensing, taxes, legal issues, bookkeeping,
financial statements, computer training, networking, marketing and sales.
The program is scheduled over 26 weeks in the following format:
• Ten weeks of in-class training focused on the knowledge and skill
development involved in entrepreneurship, business plan development and
individual coaching leading to business launch at week 10
• Sixteen weeks implementing the business plan supported through weekly
group sessions plus the continuation of weekly, individualized coaching
sessions.
Prerequisite: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Participants must be Alberta residents who are legally entitled to work in
Canada. Applicants will be screened for personal suitability to the program and
to entrepreneurship. The viability of the business idea plus the applicant’s
technical skills and financial resources regarding the proposed business will
also be assessed.
Momentum’s work within a Community Economic Development framework is
dedicated to working with low income Calgarians. All participants would meet
the requirements of an unemployed or underemployed Albertan along with
demonstrating the personal attributes of a successful entrepreneur. The SE
program works with eligible participants who may have one of the following:
• low income
• a cultural barrier including language
• a disability
• an age barrier
• an educational barrier
Learners may have an active EI claim to cover all or part of the 26 weeks, or
may qualify for Alberta Learner Income Support. Learners may apply to a
Momentum Micro Business Loan upon completion of this program with a viable
business plan.
HS Calgary Region Employment, Training and Career Services Directory
humanservices.alberta.ca/skillupYYC
Jan-Mar 2016
140