Starter Company Plus Program: Applications are now closed for the summer intake. The next call for applications will be at the end November 2025 with training to start early January 2026.
The next Starter Company Plus training will start running July 7th 2025! This competitive program offers training, coaching, and a chance to receive a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000 to support your business growth.
- Application Deadline: June 11th 2025, at 4 pm.
- Program Start Date: July 7th, 2025.
- Spots Available: Limited to 12 participants for training, with 6–7 grants available for this intake.
To ensure your application stands out, please carefully review the program guidelines before applying. Space is limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level!
What the Starter Company Plus program includes:
- One-on-one advice from a Small Business Advisory Centre, advisor
- Take part in a business plan boot camp and training 14 hrs from professional consultants
potential funding of up to $5,000 ( you will pitch your business to a grant committee/not all participants will be successful in receiving funding as we have limited funds) - Group coaching/training sessions for grant recipients
- Access to webinars/training
- Obtaining knowledge that will better position your business to be more successful and profitable
Who is eligible?
You can apply if you are:
- 18 years or older
- A Canadian/Ontario citizen with a business in Smiths Falls, Lanark County or the north part of Leeds Grenville
- Working in your business full time; 30-35 hours a week; year round (not working full time at a job)
- Generating income ( in business at least 6 months)
- In your first year of start up, expanding your business under 5 years or purchasing a business.
To qualify for funding of up to $5,000, you need to be able to contribute at least 25% (in cash or in kind) of the grant amount into your business.
Non-profits will not be eligible for the grant program and the participant must be the owner or majority owner of the business.
How to apply
Please read the Guidelines before applying for the Starter Company Plus program:
- Click Here to open the guidelines for the program
- Online Application (the application window closed June 11th at 4 pm for the summer intake- what for the next call for applications closer to the end of November 2025)
- The Small Business Advisory Centre will conduct follow-ups via email with all applicants who submit completed eligible applications and will choose boot camp participants by no later than June 20th, 2025
- Business Plan Boot camp mandatory (4 days) July 7th, 9th, 14th, and 16th, 2025.
- Funding pitch and decision 2nd week of August
- Business Coaching/mentoring (5 – 2 hour group sessions) start after pitches end of August into early October.
Contact us today to set up an appointment to get some guidance on next steps in your business, if you haven’t met with us yet, or if you have any further questions about the program email us at ([email protected])
If you have questions ahead of this please don’t hesitate to email [email protected] for more information.