We show you how to start your own business after incarceration

Comeback Catalyst is a free 12-week online program where you can learn how to start a business from people who have done it before. You will learn useful skills and be part of a community of other business owners. This program helps you take charge of your future by starting your own business or side hustle.

Supported By:

Community Partners:

Every year, approximately 37,000 people in Canada are released from correctional facilities. The stigma of incarceration makes it three times harder for them to secure employment, and 14 years post-release, the average income of a formerly incarcerated person is just $14,000— in fact, it can often be as low as $0. These systemic barriers make financial stability nearly impossible, fueling cycles of economic hardship and recidivism.

We see things differently.

The formerly incarcerated community is full of determined, resilient, and resourceful individuals with the skills to thrive as entrepreneurs—from creative problem-solving to adaptability, and leadership. By equipping them with business training, mentorship, and access to networks, Comeback Catalyst helps turn lived experience into opportunity, breaking down economic barriers and fostering a stronger economy. Participants don’t just change their own lives—they create new businesses, new jobs, and new opportunities in their communities.

At Comeback Catalyst, we believe in the power of transformation. Our mission is to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to launch their own businesses.

Our goal is simple: to provide the knowledge, tools, and support needed to build financial independence and reduce recidivism—one business at a time.

Meet Comeback Catalyst Alumni Cody