Thank you very much.
Good afternoon, everyone.
Futurpreneur is Canada's only national not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive support to small business owners who are beginning their journey, particularly for those business owners aged 18 to 39.
Our unique comprehensive proven model provides entrepreneurs with pre-launch tools and resources, with the financing they need to launch their business and with mentoring to drive their entrepreneurial success once they have launched.
Since 1996, Futurpreneur Canada has supported over 12,000 entrepreneurs across our country, yielding more than 10,000 businesses and 50,000 jobs.
These young entrepreneurs really create businesses across Canada's not only geography, but also economy. We work in a wide array of sectors including retail, agriculture, health care and technology in communities of all sizes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Port Alberni, B.C., including young entrepreneurs supported by Futurpreneur in every one of the committee members' ridings.
We do this work with the steadfast support of the Government of Canada, provincial governments, BDC, corporate partners and over 200 community partners across the country.
Many of the Canadian entrepreneurs supported by Futurpreneur have achieved international market success, like Joanna Griffiths of Knix. Her Knix clothing line has reinvented women's intimates for real life. It was founded in 2013, and today Knix exports to over 85 countries in every region of the world including Europe, Africa, South America, the Middle East and Asia, with plans to continue her growth.
Another great example is Nicole Verkindt. She is the founder and CEO of Offset Market Exchange, OMX. OMX is a procurement platform that provides economic impact analysis for companies working in complex global supply chains including domestic and international defence, aerospace, oil and gas, mining, automotive and construction industries. Not only does OMX export globally, but its platform supports global market opportunities for other Canadian companies.
As a third example, Futurpreneur also helps aspiring young business owners buy existing businesses as part of their succession planning and grow them to be export-ready. Barbara McLean-Stollery has increased revenue at Calgary-based executive airways grooming service by more than 1,500% since buying it from her former employer 10 years ago upon his retirement. Barbara was part of the Futurpreneur Canada-led Canadian delegation at the 2016 G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance summit in Beijing where she made connections that led to her company successfully operating in China today.
Based upon our experience supporting entrepreneurs like Joanna, Nicole and Barbara, we have three recommendations to share with the committee to ensure that young entrepreneurs meet their export potential and fuel Canada's economy.
Our first recommendation is to increase awareness of trade agreements and services with youth-focused communities.
The Government of Canada has worked hard on trade agreements that offer important opportunities for Canadian small businesses, but we often hear from young entrepreneurs who are unaware of the opportunities inherent in these agreements. We also note a lack of awareness of the important services available through the trade commissioner service among young entrepreneurs.
Compelling, easily digestible electronic tools and guides, particularly featuring young entrepreneurs who have successfully exported, and available on media that are relevant to Canadians under 40 years old would help ensure that young Canadian entrepreneurs are aware of and equipped for global opportunities.
Our second recommendation is to address persistent regulatory barriers in export markets. We often hear of challenges that young export-ready entrepreneurs face in understanding and adapting to the regulations such as health and safety that are different in export markets versus Canada.
We encourage the government to continue—because we know the efforts are under way—to work towards greater regulatory co-operation with our trading partners to realize the full potential of our trade agreements. Where barriers persist, it would be helpful for the government to provide entrepreneurs with accessible resources explaining the regulatory differences in different markets, and to support entrepreneurs as they navigate and overcome these challenges.
Finally, our third recommendation is to facilitate international opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Futurpreneur Canada is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance. We partner with Global Affairs Canada to help young Canadian entrepreneurs advance their business opportunities in G20 countries at the annual G20 YEA summit through B2B networks and connections.
Building on the G20 YEA, we see merit in continuing to ensure that young entrepreneurs are included in Canada's many trade missions focused on established businesses. We also encourage the government to consider stand-alone, youth-focused trade missions to key markets, beyond the annual G20 YEA summit.
In conclusion, with our extensive networks and expertise, Futurpreneur Canada can be a key partner for the government to inform and support young entrepreneurs who are building the export businesses of tomorrow. We recommend that Canada increase awareness of trade agreements and services with youth-focused communications; address persistent regulatory barriers in export markets; and finally, facilitate international opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Thank you for the opportunity to share with the committee our insights from Futurpreneur's two-decade track record of supporting young entrepreneurs in Canada and globally.
Thank you.