The passion of entrepreneurs is abundant across Canada with immense contributions from them in each province and territory. To foster even more innovation, DoorDash is partnering with Futurpreneur — a leading national non-profit organization supporting young and diverse entrepreneurs by offering equity-free loans with mentorship and resources — to launch a new collaboration focused on creating inclusive, connected pathways for the next generation of Canadian business owners to share, grow, and thrive together.
Introducing Founder Socials: Building Belonging for Young Founders
The centrepiece of the DoorDash and Futurpreneur partnership is Founder Socials. This series of four in-person networking events – to be held in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Montreal – are designed to inspire with a welcoming, high-energy space where young founders and entrepreneurs can foster genuine peer connections, discover new resources, and gain business momentum no matter the stage of their growth journey.
“Small businesses are at the heart of every local economy and it’s crucial that up-and-coming entrepreneurs have ample resources, opportunities, and connections to thrive,” said Brian Kaufmann, Head of Policy at DoorDash Canada. “We are empowering local economies with Futurpreneur by ensuring young entrepreneurs have access to what they need to grow, learn, and thrive in their communities."
RSVP for DoorDash and Futurpreneur’s first event in Toronto on Thursday, July 17 via Eventbrite.
Why This Matters: Barriers Still Exist For Young Entrepreneurs
Insights gathered through Futurpreneur’s application process reveal that connection is a core unmet need among many entrepreneurs in Canada – one that can create blindspots and silos for growing their business.
49% of respondents in Futurpreneur’s network report wanting more opportunities to connect with one another.
42% of respondents in Futurpreneur’s network indicate the desire to meet other entrepreneurs similar to themselves.
“Building powerful communities and mentorship opportunities for diverse young entrepreneurs is imperative for the future of their business endeavours,” said Mona-Lisa Prosper, Senior Director, Community Investment at Futurpreneur. “Founder Socials is all about breaking down barriers — especially for entrepreneurs from equity-deserving communities, who haven’t always had a seat at the table — and creating spaces where connection, confidence, and opportunity can grow.”
DoorDash and Futurpreneur are committed to reducing the connection gap, and ensure entrepreneurship isn’t just about hustle — rather about community, visibility, and collective success. Stay informed about future events by visiting Futurpreneur’s event page.
