Are you a small business owner? Are you looking to grow an existing business? Or are you an entrepreneurial mind looking to start a new one? Then Starter Company Plus is for you!

What is Starter Company Plus

Running your own business is one of the most valuable life experiences you can have. Experienced entrepreneurs know that they need to surround themselves with people who inspire and challenge them. Starter Company Plus is a program designed to support entrepreneurs by combining grant funding with coaching, mentorship and community. Whether you are growing an existing business or starting a new venture, our experienced business counselors will walk you through the business planning process, help you identify your goals and teach you how to measure your progress. You will have the opportunity to learn and share your journey with a group of like-minded entrepreneurs. The Starter Company cohort will meet monthly (for 12 months) in a social setting to network and keep each other accountable.

Starter Company Plus is administered by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership’s Business Enterprise Centre and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

How it works

Through Starter Company Plus, you can get:

  1. Start-up money (up to $5000) to kick-off a new business or GROW and scale an existing business!
  2. Personalized coaching and mentorship from local business leaders and fellow entrepreneurs to help you reach your goals.
  3. Access to monthly (for 12 months) peer-led meetups.

How to Qualify

To qualify for Starter Company Plus, you must:

  • Have well-developed business idea for a new or growing business
  • Have 25% equity – (If you are requesting the full $5000 grant you will need $1250 cash or a combination of assets to contribute to your business)
  • Be over 18 years of age at the time of application and not currently enrolled at a Post Secondary Institution
  • Be a resident of Ontario
  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Be committed, ambitious and passionate about entrepreneurship
  • Have not received a Starter Company Grant in the past

You can choose to start almost any type of business, as long as it:

  • Is a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation (where you are the majority shareholder) *Partnerships will only be considered if both partners qualify and will participate in programming
  • Is an independent business venture
  • Qualifies as “self-employed” for income tax purposes
  • Operates on a full-time basis
  • Follows government rules for operating a business

The following businesses are NOT eligible for Starter Company Plus:

  • Distributorship/franchise
  • Non-profit or charity
  • Pay-per-click business
  • Commissioned sales
  • Multi-level marketing (eg. Avon, doTERRA, Scentsy)
  • Single event (eg. performance, concert, sports event)
  • Part-time/seasonal business

Please note, preference will be given to businesses that meet the following:

  • Have the ability to create material economic impact
  • Storefront location
  • Possibility for job creation
  • Sustainable business model with potential to scale
  • Fulfills market demand in any priority industries that may have been identified in the community
  • Application clearly demonstrates how the Starter Company Plus Program will support the business growth
  • Preference will be given to a food processing business as part of the Foodpreneur Program

How to Apply

Step 1

Complete Starter Company Plus intake form

The deadline for submission for 2024 has passed. We anticipate accepting new submissions May 1 – June 1, 2025.

If you would like to discuss the program or your eligibility for 2025 submission, reach out to our Business Enterprise Centre team by calling 519-332-1820 or email smallbusiness@sarnialambton.on.ca.

If you would like to participate in the next round, please fill in the Starter Company Plus Intake Form.

Also, if you are interested in registering for our evening course, Business Planning For Entrepreneurial Success, please complete this Business Planning for Entrepreneurial Success Expression of Interest Form. This course will give you some business planning foundations that can be helpful if applying for Starter Company Plus. Our next Business Planning course begins on January 13, 2025.

Someone from our office will respond to you to set up an appointment to chat with our staff.

Step 2

Participate in a Starter Company Plus follow up call and/or the 8-week business planning course.

Step 3

When the program is open for applications (May 1 – June 1), we encourage participants to review the on-demand educational videos below to assist in answering their business planning questions and building the highest quality application packages.

Step 4

Book a consultation with a Business Enterprise Centre team member to discuss your business plan and Starter Company Plus application.

Step 5

Prepare your Starter Company Plus grant application for review by the Starter Company Plus grant review committee. Your application package is to be submitted between May 1 – June 1. It must include:

  • Introductory Cover Letter
  • 3-minute video pitch of your business idea
  • Completed business plan (a checklist will be provided)
  • Budget and financial projections
  • List of business goals

Those who have completed a Starter Company Plus Intake Form will receive email communication with instructions for electronic application submission.

Step 6

The Starter Company Plus grant review committee reserves the right to request the opportunity to ask additional questions. All committee decisions are final.

Applicants will be notified of status 2-3 weeks following submission deadline.

Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule a meeting to discuss the Starter Company Plus contract. The initial disbursement of the grant funds (75%) will be issued after both parties have signed the contract.

The first Monthly Starter Company Plus Cohort Meeting for grant recipients will be scheduled the month following grant awards subject to Cohort availability.