Starter Company Plus
ON, Canada
Money and advice for Ontario small businesses
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 14, 2019
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Advice and funding of up to $5,000 to help new or existing businesses hire, grow, plan, export and more.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are several eligible projects or activities for the Starter Company Plus Grant.
- Business registration and proof of physical address in Toronto
- Maintaining a commercial business bank account
- Operational businesses for up to 3 years with demonstrated financial activity
- Committing to in-person and/or virtual entrepreneurship training
- Investment of 25% of the grant amount into the business (e.g., cash, marketing, equipment, rent)
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$5,000
Opening a boutique coffee shop with locally sourced products
$5,000
Setting up a community gardening project for low-income families
$5,000
Starting an online art gallery to support emerging artists
$5,000
Launching a digital marketing agency specialized in small businesses
$5,000
Launching a mobile app for on-demand home cleaning services
$5,000
Opening a sustainable clothing store featuring local designers
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are several eligible types of companies for the Starter Company Plus Grant. Eligible businesses include those registered and operating within specific parameters.
- Registered business at the time of application (Sole Proprietor, Partnership, or Corporation) with a Toronto address.
- Must have a commercial business bank account corresponding with the business registration documentation.
- In operation up to 3 years for Early-Stage Startup stream or 6 months or more for Female Founders stream, with financial activity statements for this period.
- Majority ownership and ability to demonstrate proof of ownership and/or shareholder agreement.
- Located in Toronto with proof of physical address.
- Businesses requiring certification and/or license must be current at the time of application.
- Must have invested at least 25 per cent of the grant amount ($1,250) into the business prior to application (for legitimate startup expenses).
- Must be able to commit to in-person and/or virtual entrepreneurship training.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the Starter Company Plus Grant. Below is a list of ineligible businesses:
- Nightclubs, lounges, cabarets, discotheques, music festivals and events or other similar activities
- Online businesses that are resellers
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), retirement homes, and long-term care homes
- Technology applications which are not market-ready
- Student housing and other residential rental accommodation
- Childcare centres, including daycares
- Home care for elderly and/or vulnerable populations
- Quasi-financial institutions or money service and money transfer businesses (including insurance companies and financial services companies)
- Cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) businesses and traders
- Businesses brokering funds or taking on a fiduciary duty handling funds for clients (including investment, insurance, and real estate brokers who handle funds in trust for clients)
- Brokers (insurance, real estate, investment, etc.) who are working for an existing firm are not seen to be creating a new business
- Businesses and platforms that raise funds for charities
- Charities and non-profits and social enterprises
- Franchises
- Collection agencies
- Businesses that raise investment capital for other businesses
- Businesses that include or promote financing from equity crowd funding (share capital)
- Medical marijuana and cannabis retailers
- Recording artists and other similar ‘self-promoting’ artists and activities
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for the Starter Company Plus Grant require that applicants have already invested 25 per cent of the grant amount ($1,250) into the business at the time of application. These expenses can include various legitimate start-up costs.
- Cash investment
- Marketing efforts
- Equipment
- Commercial rent
- Other legitimate start-up expenses
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for the Starter Company Plus Grant is Toronto, Canada. Applicants must be residents of Toronto and demonstrate proof of physical address.
- Toronto, Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the Starter Company Plus Grant. Applications will be evaluated by a review committee based on several business and applicant requirements, as well as business viability and potential for growth.
- The application should meet business and applicant requirements.
- Proof of concept: showing evidence that your business product or service has been tested or demonstrated in a real-world scenario, indicating its feasibility and potential for market success.
- Customer validation: demonstrating demand for your product or service in the market.
- Clear revenue model: identifying one or more revenue/sales channels.
- Evaluation of the proposed business’s potential for growth and its ability to create jobs.
- Assessment of the start-up budget and financing requirements of the business.
- Contribution of 25 percent of the grant amount as monetary investment towards the business.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that you meet all applicant and business eligibility requirements as outlined in the grant program details for either the Early-Stage Startup or Female Founders stream.
- Step 2: Gather Documentation
- Prepare necessary documentation including proof of business registration, commercial business bank account, financial activity statements, proof of physical address, business ownership documentation, and any required certifications or licenses.
- Step 3: Invest 25% of Grant Amount
- Ensure you have already invested at least 25% of the grant amount ($1,250) into your business through valid expenses such as cash investments, marketing efforts, equipment, commercial rent, etc.
- Step 4: Prepare Business Plan
- Develop a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates your business's viability, including proof of concept, customer validation, revenue model, growth potential, and start-up budget and financing requirements.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Complete and submit the application form through the official channel provided by the grant program, ensuring all required information and documentation are included.
- Step 6: Await Evaluation
- Your application will be evaluated by a review committee of experienced City staff based on the selection criteria, including business and applicant requirements, business viability, and financial investment.
- Step 7: Participate in Training
- If selected, commit to attending up to 15 hours of business training and utilizing up to six months of advisory and mentoring services provided by the grant program.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Starter Company Plus Grant is funded by the Government of Ontario and provides targeted support to small businesses located in Toronto. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the program staff via phone or email.
- Funded by the Government of Ontario
- Contact staff at 416-392-6646 or smallbusiness@toronto.ca for questions
grant_single_labels|contact
416-392-6646
Apply to this program
Starter Company Plus Grant Overview
The Starter Company Plus Grant provides eligible Toronto-based entrepreneurs with up to $5,000 in funding, alongside business training and mentoring, to support the growth and expansion of their small businesses. The grant has specific streams for Early-Stage Startups and Female Founders, each with its own set of eligibility criteria.
Detailed Explanation of the Starter Company Plus Grant
The Starter Company Plus Grant is an initiative funded by the Government of Ontario, specifically designed to foster the growth and expansion of small businesses based in Toronto. This grant offers eligible entrepreneurs a comprehensive package of support that includes financial assistance, business training, and mentorship, ensuring that they have the resources needed to scale their business operations effectively. This detailed article will provide an in-depth understanding of the grant, its eligibility criteria, ineligible business types, application process, and evaluation criteria.
Key Features of the Starter Company Plus Grant
The main attractions of the Starter Company Plus Grant include:
- Financial Assistance: A micro-grant of $5,000.
- Business Training: Up to 15 hours of comprehensive business training sessions.
- Mentoring: Advisory and mentoring services for up to six months, assisting entrepreneurs in making informed business decisions and tackling challenges effectively.
Eligibility Criteria for Early-Stage Startup Stream
The Early-Stage Startup stream is aimed at budding entrepreneurs who meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older.
- Applicants must not be attending school or planning to return to school while enrolled in the program.
- Applicants need to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week to their business and must not be employed elsewhere.
- Applicants should not be enrolled in any other government-funded employment program.
- Applicants must be residents of Toronto and able to demonstrate proof of physical address.
Besides the individual criteria, the business must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a registered business at the time of application with relevant documentation showing a Toronto address.
- Must have a commercial business bank account corresponding with the business registration documentation.
- The business should have been in operation for up to 3 years, with demonstrated financial activity statements.
- Must have majority ownership and proof of ownership or shareholder agreement.
- The business must be located in Toronto, with proof of physical address.
- Businesses requiring certification or licenses must have them current at the time of application.
- Applicants must be committed to attending in-person or virtual entrepreneurship training.
- Applicants must have already invested 25% of the grant amount ($1,250) in the business prior to application (this could be in the form of cash, marketing efforts, equipment, commercial rent, or other legitimate startup expenses).
Eligibility Criteria for Female Founders Stream
This stream is designed to support female entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older.
- Must identify as female.
- Applicants must not be attending school or planning to return to school while enrolled in the program.
- Applicants need to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week to their business and must not be employed elsewhere.
- Applicants should not be enrolled in any other government-funded employment program.
- Applicants must be residents of Toronto and able to demonstrate proof of physical address.
The business must also meet specific requirements:
- Must be a registered business at the time of application with relevant documentation showing a Toronto address.
- Must have a commercial business bank account corresponding with the business registration documentation.
- The business should have been in operation for six months or more, with demonstrated financial activity statements.
- Must have majority ownership and proof of ownership or shareholder agreement.
- The business must be located in Toronto, with proof of physical address.
- Businesses requiring certification or licenses must have them current at the time of application.
- Applicants must be committed to attending in-person or virtual entrepreneurship training.
- Applicants must have already invested 25% of the grant amount ($1,250) in the business prior to application.
Ineligible Businesses
Several types of businesses are ineligible for the Starter Company Plus Grant:
- Nightclubs, lounges, cabarets, discotheques, music festivals, and similar activities.
- Online businesses that are resellers.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), retirement homes, and long-term care homes.
- Technology applications that are not market-ready.
- Student housing and other residential rental accommodation.
- Childcare centers, including daycares.
- Home care for elderly and vulnerable populations.
- Quasi-financial institutions or money service and money transfer businesses (including insurance companies and financial services companies).
- Cryptocurrency businesses and traders.
- Businesses brokering funds or taking on fiduciary duties handling funds for clients (including investment, insurance, and real estate brokers who handle funds in trust for clients).
- Brokers who work for existing firms are not considered to be creating new businesses.
- Platforms that raise funds for charities.
- Charities, non-profits, and social enterprises.
- Franchises.
- Collection agencies.
- Businesses that raise investment capital for other businesses.
- Businesses promoting financing from equity crowdfunding (share capital).
- Medical marijuana and cannabis retailers.
- Recording artists and other similar self-promoting activities.
Application Process
Currently, applications for both the Early-Stage Startup and Female Founders streams are closed. However, interested applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter for updates on future rounds of funding and training opportunities. When applications are open, they require detailed documentation as outlined in the eligibility criteria.
For any queries related to the Early-Stage Startup stream, potential applicants can contact staff at 416-392-6646 or via email at smallbusiness@toronto.ca. For the Female Founders stream, the contact details remain the same.
Evaluation Process
Once applications are submitted, they undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a review committee of experienced City staff. The committee assesses applications based on the following selection criteria:
- Compliance with both business and applicant requirements.
- Business viability, assessed through proof of concept, customer validation, and a clear revenue model.
- Potential for business growth and its ability to create jobs.
- Evaluation of the startup budget and financing requirements.
- Contribution of 25% of the grant amount ($1,250) as a monetary investment towards the business.
The Starter Company Plus Grant is an exceptional opportunity for Toronto-based entrepreneurs to obtain financial assistance, business training, and mentorship, helping them to scale their businesses and achieve sustainable growth. By meeting the stringent eligibility criteria and effectively demonstrating business viability, entrepreneurs can leverage this grant to make impactful strides forward in their business journeys.
