Starter Company Plus

Q: How much funding can be received?

Starter Company Plus Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $5000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Starter Company Plus a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Starter Company Plus is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Starter Company Plus?

Starter Company Plus is funded by Government of Ontario

Q: Who is eligible for the Starter Company Plus program?

To be eligible for the Starter Company Plus program, you must: • Must be a registered business at the time of application with documentation showing a Toronto address. • Must have been in operation for up to 3 years and demonstrate financial activity statements.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Starter Company Plus?

You can contact Government of Ontario or by phone at 416-392-6646.

Q: Where is the Starter Company Plus available?

The Starter Company Plus program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Starter Company Plus program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Starter Company Plus program.

Q: Are women eligible for the Starter Company Plus program?

Yes, women are eligible to apply for the Starter Company Plus program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Money and advice for Ontario small businesses

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $5,000
Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : November 14, 2019

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Advice and funding of up to $5,000 to help new or existing businesses hire, grow, plan, export and more.

Activities funded

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)

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 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

Launching a mobile app for on-demand home cleaning services

$ 5,000

Starting an online art gallery to support emerging artists

$ 5,000

Launching a digital marketing agency specialized in small businesses

$ 5,000

Opening a sustainable clothing store featuring local designers

Eligibility

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?

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.

Who is not eligible

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

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

Eligible geographic areas

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

Selection 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.

How to apply

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional information

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

Documents and links

Starter Company Plus

Contacts

416-392-6646

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Starter Company Plus Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Starter Company Plus. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.