A new RBC Small Business Poll says two-thirds of Gen Z Canadians have considered owning a business and many see entrepreneurship as building alongside a career.
The Story
New findings from RBC’s Small Business Poll say Gen Z Canadians are rethinking what entrepreneurship looks like and how it fits into their lives.
The poll reports that 66% of Gen Z Canadians have considered owning a business, and 49% believe entrepreneurship is more accessible today than it was for previous generations.
It also says financial security and control are central to how younger Canadians define success, with 42% naming making enough to support themselves or their families as the most common definition and 35% pointing to building long-term wealth or financial independence.
The poll suggests many Gen Z entrepreneurs are starting alongside existing work, with 46% of Gen Z business owners running a side hustle in addition to their primary career, 26% saying they already have a side hustle, and 32% saying they aspire to start one.
RBC vice president of Small Business and Partnerships Amy Childs said entrepreneurship has “always been about ambition” but that today’s entrepreneurs define success “on their own terms,” adding that support should reflect different ways businesses are being built.
The poll also links opportunity and technology to modern business planning, saying 85% of Gen Z business owners feel confident using technology to run their business, while 83% agree entrepreneurs today are expected to learn and adapt to technology more than previous generations and 63% feel pressure to adopt AI tools to stay competitive.
RBC’s poll says broader economic pressures are also shaping ambitions, with 81% agreeing financial uncertainty is encouraging more people to consider entrepreneurship.
The findings outline a range of RBC resources for different stages of starting and growing a business, including registering or incorporating through Ownr, using the RBC Business Plan Builder, retail business insights through RBC Insight Edge for Small Business, and connecting eligible entrepreneurs with financing, mentorship and resources through Futurpreneur. The poll also points to The Founder’s Journey online course for business owners navigating different stages of entrepreneurship.
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