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Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
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What is the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program?
The EDP is open to any aspiring or emerging entrepreneur with a self-declared disability, mental health barrier, or long-term health condition. We offer access to the tools, services, and one-one support that you might need to overcome the unique barriers you might face on your journey to self-employment.
Are you ready to become an entrepreneur?
How can we help you?
We help entrepreneurs in a couple ways:
Small business loans, up to $5,000
We’ll set the terms that work for you, together.
Business plan guidance
We’ll help you build a great plan through one on one counselling.
Peer support and networks
We’ll connect you to a community of entrepreneurs that understand where you’re coming from.
Advice and counselling
We’ll work with you for the long-haul, helping you get your business off the ground.
Who is eligible?
The program is open to anybody with a disability that’s going into business for themselves. Access to certain loans and funding is a bit more specific.
We give Small Business Loans to help you get started.
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They go up to $5,000, with terms that work for you.
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They’re here so that you can start, or expand, your business.
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Use them to upgrade your technology, marketing, facilities, or services.
To be eligible for a Small Business Loan you need to meet the following criteria:
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You have a self-declared disability, or long term health condition.
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You’re aged 18, or older.
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You are a Canadian citizen.
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You are currently operating a registered business in Saskatoon.
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At the Ability Hub, loan criteria are lower than most banks, but we need to have to have a reasonable expectation that the loan will be paid back based on three things:
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Credit history
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Debt-to-income ratio
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Capacity to repay
If the applicant has a history of credit issues, they need to present a workable plan to address them.
The process to apply for a small business loan is simple.
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First, make sure that you’re eligible. The main requirement is that your business is operating in Saskatoon.
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Then, meet with us to develop, or review, your business plan.
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Finally, we’ll send your completed business plan to the loan committee for review.
We provide Training - so that you have the confidence to take the next step
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All of our training is either free or low-cost.
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Our doors are open! Most learning opportunities are available for our clients and members of the community.
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Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all training is currently online.
We provide Community – so that you can meet other entrepreneurs, keep up with business trends, and find opportunities.
We offer free Advice and Business Counselling - We will support you through every step of growing your business. Access to our services are unlimited. For more information or to book an appointment contact edp@abilityhubyxe.ca
