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Category: Career Development

Too Long, Didn’t Read

  • RBC and Futurpreneur are helping young Canadians turn their business ideas into reality through access to financing, mentorship and practical resources.
  • Entrepreneurs like Andreane Viau of Cycled and Maria Munoz of Planted Souls demonstrate how early financial support can help launch businesses and support long-term growth.
  • Since 2020, the RBC Rock My Business Start-up Awards have provided $480,000 to 48 young entrepreneurs across Canada, including eight recipients in 2026.
  • RBC and RBC Foundation recently announced a renewed commitment of more than $70 million over five years to Futurpreneur, helping more young and Indigenous entrepreneurs start and grow businesses across Canada.

Turning Ideas into Opportunity

When Montreal entrepreneur Andreane Viau recognized a gap in women’s health and nutrition research, she saw an opportunity to make a difference.

That idea led her to create Cycled Inc., a hormonal-intelligence platform that combines women’s cycle phase and symptoms to deliver personalized, science-backed nutrition recommendations.

“For decades, nutrition research has been conducted without taking the female menstrual cycle into account,” said Viau. “Cycled puts this information in women’s hands so they can understand their hormones and take control of their energy, mood and health.”

Viau participated in Futurpreneur’s free Rock My Business workshop series, supported by RBC Foundation, which helps aspiring entrepreneurs develop the skills and confidence to launch their businesses and prepare for the changing world of work.

Viau represents one of 48 young Canadian entrepreneurs across Canada who have received the RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Awards since 2020 — a program that has provided $480,000 to its recipients, including eight in 2026.

Andreane Viau, founder of Cycled, a hormonal-intelligence platform
Andreane Viau, founder of Cycled, a hormonal-intelligence platform, recieved a 2026 RBC Rock My Business Youth Entrepreneur Award to launch the app.

As one of this year’s recipients, Viau received $10,000 to help launch Cycled, with plans to invest the funding in marketing initiatives to attract users to the platform.

“The RBC award is going entirely into Cycled’s launch,” said Viau. “First, a launch campaign with content creators and our community to bring in our first users, then a paid acquisition campaign. Concretely, it accelerates us toward our first milestone: 3,000 paying subscribers within 90 days of launch.”

From Opportunity to Lasting Impact

While Andreane Viau is preparing to launch Cycled, the experiences of past RBC Rock My Business recipients demonstrate how early support can help entrepreneurs turn their ambitions into growing businesses.

For Maria Munoz, that journey began in 2021, when she received a $10,000 RBC Rock My Business Award to help launch Planted Souls.

Specializing in custom plant designs for homes, offices, events and workshops, Planted Souls has continued to evolve since launching in 2021, adapting its services to meet the changing needs of its clients.

While Planted Souls has since transitioned away from its original storefront, Munoz credits the RBC award helping her create an experience that established lasting relationships with customers and other businesses.

“I am proud of how much Planted Souls has grown and evolved over the past five years,” said Munoz. “When I started, I had an idea of what I wanted the business to be, but I have learned to be open to change and let me clients guide that journey. I have listened to what people are looking for and have found ways to adapt my services and explore different opportunities. I am proud of my ability to pivot, keep learning, and find new ways to grow.”

Maria Munoz, 2021 RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Award recipient
Maria Munoz received a RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Award in 2021.  Today, her business Planted  Souls continues to help individuals and communities discover the transformative power of plants

Munoz continues to reflect on the importance of that early recognition and support.

“The funding was valuable to my business in that it helped me make my storefront experience that much more magical for my customers, now turned clients,” said Munoz. “Although the business has transitioned away from a storefront location, Planted Souls has continued to work with and maintain long lasting business relationships with clients and other small businesses that were brought in through the shop.”

Building on a Longstanding Collaboration

Stories like those of Viau and Munoz highlight the role that access to funding, mentorship and business resources can play in helping young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality.

For 30 years, Futurpreneur Canada has helped young Canadians launch and grow their businesses, providing financing, mentorship and resources to support them along their entrepreneurial journeys.

As Futurpreneur celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, RBC announced a renewed commitment of more than $70 million over five years, building on its longstanding collaboration with the organization.

Through this expanded collaboration, RBC and Futurpreneur aim to equip more than 25,000 young and Indigenous entrepreneurs with skills and training, while supporting the launch of more than 2,350 businesses through financing and mentorship.

Sean Amato-Gauci, Group Head, RBC Commercial Banking at Futurpreneur’s National Office
Sean Amato-Gauci, Group Head, RBC Commercial Banking at Futurpreneur’s National Office

Sean Amato-Gauci, Group Head, RBC Commercial Banking, visited Futurpreneur National Offices, to celebrate RBC’s renewed commitment.  Through the expanded partnership, RBC and Futurpreneur aim to support the launch of more than 2,350 businesses.

“Canada’s future depends on a new generation of young entrepreneurs building and growing their businesses right here at home,” said Sean Amato-Gauci, Group Head, RBC Commercial Banking. “Through this collaboration with Futurpreneur, we’re providing the financing, mentorship, and practical support they need to succeed — because the founders we back today will be the leaders who carry Canada forward for years to come.”

Looking to the Future

As Canada faces a generational shift in business ownership, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs is increasingly important. With 76% of Canadian business owners planning to retire over the next decade1, helping young Canadians access the resources to start or take over businesses will play an important role in Canada’s economic future.

To help more young Canadians access support at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys, RBC’s expanded collaboration with Futurpreneur will help support three key programs:

Together, these initiatives will help more young Canadians overcome barriers to entrepreneurship, pursue their ambitions and build businesses that contribute to stronger communities and Canada’s economy.

  • Under 30 (U30) Startup Program: Helping young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses through access to financing, mentorship and practical resources.
  • Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program: Providing tailored financing, mentorship and culturally relevant business support to help young Indigenous entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
  • RBC Rock My Business Workshops and Awards: Helping aspiring entrepreneurs build financial literacy, develop business plans and access funding to bring their ideas to life.

Learn more about RBC’s expanded partnership with Futurpreneur.

RBC support for charities and nonprofits is provided by Royal Bank of Canada and RBC Foundation, which are separate entities and make their funding decisions independently.

FAQ

RBC and RBC Foundation has a longstanding collaboration with Futurpreneur Canada to help young entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. In October 2026, RBC and RBC Foundation announced a renewed commitment of more than $70 million over five years to expand access to financing, mentorship, skills training and other business resources.

The RBC Rock My Business Start-Up Awards recognize aspiring young entrepreneurs who have participated in Futurpreneur’s free Rock My Business workshop series, supported by RBC Foundation. Each year, eight recipients receive funding to help bring their business ideas to life.  Since 2020, the awards have provided $480,000 to 48 entrepreneurs across Canada.

Through the expanded collaboration, RBC , RBC Foundation and  Futurpreneur aim to equip more than 25,000 young and Indigenous entrepreneurs with skills and training, while supporting the launch of more than 2,350 businesses through financing and mentorship.  The collaboration will support the Under 30 Startup Program, Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program and RBC Rock My Business Workshops and Awards.

With 76% of Canadian business owners planning to retire over the next decade, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs is increasingly important.  RBC and RBC Foundation’s renewed commitment of more than $70 million over five years is intended to support new business creation, economic growth and stronger communities as that generational shift in ownership takes place.

Too Long, Didn’t Read

  • A vibrant arts community is an integral part of a strong community. That’s why, to date, RBC has committed more than $150 million to support artists and arts organizations worldwide – helping artists build the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable and successful careers.
  • The RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers grants $10,000 annually to one writer each in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
  • The Apprentice Programme at The National Ballet of Canada has helped train apprentices who are now Principal Dancers and performers worldwide.
  • The Shaw Festival is using an RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant to build a geothermal well system as part of the rebuild of the Royal George Theatre with the goal to become North America’s first Zero Carbon Building Design certified performing arts venue.
Watch how RBC is supporting artists through skills development opportunities – hear straight from the artists.

For decades, RBC and RBC Foundation have been steadfast supporters of the arts, committing more than $150 million to artists and arts organizations worldwide. RBC’s legacy lies in equipping the next generation of creative talent with the tools, connections and opportunities they need to build lasting careers – while championing greater inclusivity and prosperity in communities across the country. One of the ways RBC brings that commitment to life is through the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers.

Championing the Next Generation of Writers

According to Calgary poet Renato Gandia, confidence is a critical part of any artist’s journey.

“For years, I wondered if stories like mine — migration, faith, family, queerness — had a place in Canadian literature,” said Gandia, who was one of three writers to win the 2026 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers.

“The RBC Bronwen Wallace Award answered that question. Recognition like this does something specific for emerging writers: it hands us confidence, visibility, proof that we belong on the page. This is why support from organizations like RBC matters. When they invest in organizations like Writers’ Trust, they’re not just funding prizes. They’re helping build a literary Canada that actually looks like the people living in it.”

The award, presented annually by Writers’ Trust Canada to writers who have not yet published their first book, grants $10,000 annually to one writer of fiction, one writer of poetry, and one of creative nonfiction.

The award also includes qualitative supports like networking and access to mentors.

Three recipients of the 2026 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers — Renato Gandia, Graham Slaughter, and Julia Cottrelle — holding their awards.
2026 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers recipients L to R Renato Gandia (poetry), Graham Slaughter (creative nonfiction) and Julia Cottrelle (fiction)

“At RBC, we believe that a strong arts sector helps build stronger communities,” said Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Impact, RBC. “For nearly two decades, we’ve stood alongside the Writers’ Trust of Canada to champion emerging writers through the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award. That long-term commitment has helped launch the careers of some of this country’s most exciting literary voices – writers who have gone on to publish acclaimed books, mentor the next generation, and enrich the cultural life of their communities.”

Apprentice Programme at The National Ballet of Canada

At The National Ballet of Canada, RBC’s support comes in the form of the Apprentice Programme. Several former Apprentices are now Principal Dancers with The National Ballet of Canada and many others dance with ballet companies worldwide.

“Through dedicated training, individualized mentorship and meaningful performance opportunities, The National Ballet of Canada’s Apprentice Programme provides emerging artists with the skills, experience and support needed to pursue a professional career,” said Greta Hodgkinson, the Arrell Family Apprentice Programme Director. “Over the course of the two-year programme, apprentices gain invaluable stage experience, receive artistic guidance and benefit from comprehensive professional development, equipping them to secure positions with the National Ballet or other prestigious companies around the world. Our dancers leave the programme with the skills, confidence and professional foundation to continue shaping their artistic voice and thrive in the next stage of their careers.”

Dancer Hannah Galway, during a rehearsal.
Hannah Galway in rehearsal for Silent Screen. Photo by Karolina Kuras.

Helping improve accessibility and environmental sustainability for arts venues across Canada

In addition to supporting the arts through skills development, RBC supports the community spaces where artists display their craft and art lovers gather to experience it.

The RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant focuses on improving the accessibility and environmental sustainability of community buildings and public spaces. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is using a recent grant to ensure that all public restrooms at the museum are now equipped with automatic doors. In addition, new features like an accessible sink will enable those who rely on mobility aids to now fully participate in art therapy activities at the Museum’s popular Ruche d’art (Art Hive).

“RBC’s support enables the MMFA to make accessibility a concrete driver of participation, autonomy, and inclusion, so that everyone can fully enjoy the benefits of art,” said Mélanie Deveault, Director of Education, Community Engagement, and Visitor Experience; holder of the Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Chair in Art and Education for the Community at the MMFA.

Museum educator Delphine Arnaud leading a guided tour of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts' 19th-century European collection.
Museum educator Delphine Arnaud leads a guided tour of the Montreal Museum of fine Arts’ 19th-century European collection. The museum was made more accessible with support from RBC Foundation Photo © Mikaël Theimer

The RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant is also helping ensure accessibility will be front and centre for music lovers in the newly expanded Francis Winspear Centre in Edmonton. In addition to hosting the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Winspear is the hub for local musicians, youth and community groups. The expansion is adding over 50,000 sq.ft. of new space, including a second performance hall (called the ‘Music Box’), classrooms and mixed-use immersive spaces.

“With the successful completion of the building exterior, a strong foundation is now in place for the next chapter of the Winspear Centre expansion,” said Alex Draper, Director of Philanthropy, Winspear Centre. “The next phase – completing the interior – is all about the details which, thanks to RBC Foundation’s support, will include a focus on accessibility. We can already imagine the moment the Music Box hosts its first performers and when these new spaces open their doors to welcome our community inside.”

Architectural rendering of the expanded Francis Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, Alberta.
Architectural rendering of the expanded Francis Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, Alberta.

At the Maritime Conservatory for Performing Arts in Halifax, an RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant will support the installation of a new elevator.

“Our old manually operated elevator no longer meets accessibility and safety standards and has a heavy swinging door that wheelchair users, seniors, and parents with strollers struggle to open independently,” said Chloe Kline, Executive Director. “Replacing the elevator will remove a significant accessibility barrier for more than 35 per cent of our program participants and ensure that our students, clients, and audience members enjoy safe, independent, and dignified access to classrooms, therapy spaces and performance venues throughout the building.”

RBC’s support is also helping many arts venues become more environmentally sustainable.

The Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario), is using a grant to fund a geothermal well system, to help its Royal George theatre become North America’s first theatre to achieve Zero Carbon Building Design certification.

RBC and Shaw Festival employees, wearing construction safety gear, gather at the future site of the Shaw Festival's geothermal well system
A geothermal well, enabled by a donation from the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant, will help make the Shaw Festival’s rebuilt Royal George Theatre North America’s first zero carbon building design performing arts venue.

“The plans for our new Royal George Theatre honour its remarkable history while building for the future,” said Tim Jennings, Executive Director/CEO of the Shaw Festival. “Achieving North America’s first Zero Carbon Building Design certification for a theatre reflects our commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring this beloved cultural institution continues to inspire and connect audiences for generations. We are honoured to have RBC Foundation’s support to bring these plans to life.”

Keeping Canadian communities vibrant

From supporting skills development to improving arts infrastructure, RBC is strengthening communities by contributing to a future where Canadian communities and the arts can grow stronger together. This support is part of RBC, RBC Foundation and RBC Foundation USA’s overall commitment to providing $2 billion in community investment by 2035. As one of Canada’s largest corporate donors, RBC is working with thousands of charities and not for profits across Canada and beyond.

FAQ

The RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers is presented annually by Writers’ Trust Canada to writers who have not yet published their first book. It grants $10,000 to one writer each of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, plus networking and mentorship supports.

The Apprentice Programme at The National Ballet of Canada is a two-year programme that provides emerging dancers with dedicated training, individualized mentorship, and meaningful performance opportunities to help them pursue a professional career.

The RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant is designed to fund retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and spaces as well as construction of new public spaces that reduce environmental impacts of their operation and/or improve its building accessibility. Recent grants to arts organizations have funded automatic doors at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Francis Winspear Centre expansion in Edmonton, an accessible elevator at the Maritime Conservatory for Performing Arts in Halifax, and a geothermal well system at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

RBC supports more than 2,000 charities and nonprofits across Canada, including arts organizations. This support is part of RBC’s broader commitment to invest $2 billion in community organizations by 2035, helping artists grow from emerging to established and keeping communities vibrant.

Too Long, Didn’t Read

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Too Long, Didn’t Read

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