Who We Are
Empowering People. Launching Ideas
At Rise, we empower individuals with mental health and addiction challenges across Canada to become entrepreneurs and transform their lives.
Why? Because mental health significantly impacts a person’s personal, professional and financial well-being. In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health challenge or illness—and face significant workplace stigma and barriers to employment because of it. People with mental health challenges experience levels of unemployment as high as 90%.
Entrepreneurship is a powerful way to take control.
Through flexible financing, training, mentorship, and other tailored supports, we enable individuals to learn the skills and access the capital they need to build a small business for meaningful employment, economic empowerment and personal well-being.
Our Impact
Rise was established by the Rotman Family in 2010 as a joint initiative with the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
1,000+ loans disbursed nationwide
$4.1M in loan capital
5,000+ individuals empowered as entrepreneurs
675+ volunteers
3 in 4 clients report stable or increased personal income
83% of clients report business growth
80% of clients are more confident making business decisions
75% of client feel a greater sense of purpose
