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Nearly half of Gen Z business owners are building a business while working full-time: RBC Poll
Data finds that side hustles, combined with access to technology, reinforce confidence in entrepreneurship as business owners take new paths to success
Key Findings: Gen Z and Entrepreneurship
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Two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z Canadians have thought about owning a business, more than any other generation
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84% of current Gen Z business owners say they are optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship in Canada
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46% of Gen Z business owners are operating a side hustle alongside their primary job
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32% of Gen Z Canadians aspire to start a side hustle
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49% of Gen Z Canadians believe entrepreneurship is more accessible today than it was for previous generations
TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ — Amid evolving career paths and ongoing economic uncertainty, Gen Z Canadians surveyed show the strongest interest in business ownership of any generation, and are redefining what entrepreneurial success looks like, according to the 2026 RBC Small Business Poll.
Among Gen Z business owners, 84 per cent say they are optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship in Canada, compared with 76 per cent of business owners overall. Nearly half (49 per cent) of Gen Z Canadians surveyed and 56 per cent of Gen Z business owners believe entrepreneurship is more accessible today than it was for previous generations. And among Gen Zers who aspire to own a business, 27 per cent see entrepreneurship as a way to pursue their passions.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Canada’s economy, and the next generation of entrepreneurs will help shape its future,” said Amy Childs, Vice President, Small Business and Partnerships, RBC. “Gen Z is showing that business ownership doesn’t have to follow a traditional path, with success increasingly defined by flexibility, financial stability and independence.”
How does Gen Z define entrepreneurial success?
For many younger Canadians, entrepreneurship is no longer an all-or-nothing leap. Instead, they are building businesses alongside their existing careers.
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Entrepreneurial and Employed: Nearly half (46 per cent) of Gen Z business owners are working on a side hustle while also working a full-time job.
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The Side Hustle Generation: Nearly one-third (32 per cent) of Gen Z Canadians aspire to start a side hustle.
Compared to other factors, Gen Z prioritizes financial stability and pursuit of passions over traditional measures of business growth:
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Financial stability and wealth: 42 per cent of Gen Z Canadians define success as being able to support themselves or their family, while 35 per cent point to building long-term wealth.
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Independence and passion: Roughly three in 10 of Gen Z Canadians point to being their own boss (33 per cent) or turning a passion into income (31 per cent) as their primary definition of success.
