Starter Company Plus

The eligibility criteria for the Starter Company Plus Grant are listed below for the Early-Stage Startup Stream and the Female Founders Stream.

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Not be attending school or planning to return to school while enrolled in the program
• Be devoting a minimum of 35 hours per week to their small business and not employed anywhere else
• Not be enrolled in any other government-funded employment program
• Be a resident of Toronto with ability to demonstrate proof of physical address

Who is eligible?

• Registered small businesses with a physical address in Toronto
• For-profit companies incorporated under Ontario or federal law (for Trade Accelerator Stream)

Who is not eligible

• Nightclubs, lounges, cabarets, discotheques, music festivals and similar event-based businesses.
• Online businesses that resell existing products from other manufacturers.
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), retirement homes, long-term care homes, and student/property rental businesses.
• Charities, non-profits, and franchises.
• Cryptocurrency businesses, quasi-financial institutions, brokers, and businesses handling funds in trust for clients.

Eligible expenses

• Cash investments made into the business by the applicant.
• Marketing efforts, such as advertising and promotional materials.
• Purchase of equipment required for business operations.
• Commercial rent payments.
• Other legitimate startup expenses already incurred by the business.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses located in Toronto, Ontario.

• Adherence of the application to business and applicant requirements.
• Demonstrated business viability, including proof of concept and customer validation.
• Clarity and credibility of the revenue model, with identified revenue or sales channels.
• Business’s potential for growth and ability to create jobs.
• Appropriateness of startup budget and financing requirements, including evidence of a 25% monetary investment of the grant amount into the business.

• The program offers multiple streams, including the General Business and Trade Accelerator streams, throughout the year.
• Applicants are encouraged to attend online information sessions to improve their understanding of best practices and program timelines.
• Only successful applicants will be contacted regarding their application status.
• Participation in the Trade Accelerator Stream is highly competitive and meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding.