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Source verified July 23, 2026
Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines
Training and mentorship for new businesses
Funding available
$ 5,000
Deadline
August 6, 2026
Opened July 6, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Starter Company Plus is a St. Catharines Enterprise Centre program for new start-ups, businesses within their first two years, part-time businesses expanding to full-time, or newly purchased businesses. It provides training, mentorship, and grants of up to $5,000 for business planning, marketing, financials, and related launch activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop a new product or service
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Training in business planning, marketing, financials, and more.
- Mentorship for eligible program participants.
Documents Needed
- Business registration
- Articles of incorporation
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of personal contribution
- Personal identification
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- New start-ups.
- Existing businesses within the first two years of operations looking to expand and hire.
- Part-time businesses expanding into full-time operations.
- Newly purchased businesses.
Who is not eligible
- Franchises and distributorships.
- Commissioned sales representatives, including realtors, mortgage brokers, and insurance brokers.
- Business ventures that are continuations, subsidiaries, or divisions of existing businesses.
- Not-for-profit, co-operatives, or charitable enterprise business structures.
- Multi-level marketing ventures.
Eligible geographic areas
- St. Catharines
- Welland
- Thorold
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Lincoln
- West Lincoln
- Grimsby
Selection criteria
- Priority will be given to applicants from St. Catharines and Welland.
- Business plans and financial forecasts must be completed to the satisfaction of the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre before being considered by the Grant Committee.
How to apply
- Review all eligibility requirements.
- Complete the application form on the Application tab.
- Attend a mandatory interview if invited.
Processing and Agreement
- Those under consideration for acceptance to the program will be invited to a mandatory interview.
- Program participants must complete an exit interview.
- SCEC and its Grant Committee decisions are final.
Additional information
- Approval into Starter Company Plus is competitive and eligible applicants may not all be accepted.
- Full eligibility and program details will be discussed at an intake session with the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre.
- The program is delivered by the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
- There are a limited number of grants available.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines Program
What is the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines?
Starter Company Plus is a St. Catharines Enterprise Centre program for new start-ups, businesses within their first two years, part-time businesses expanding to full-time, or newly purchased businesses. It provides training, mentorship, and grants of up to $5,000 for business planning, marketing, financials, and related launch activities.
How much funding can be received?
Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines Funds up to $5,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is August 6, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines program?
To be eligible for the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines program, you must:
Be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Commit to a minimum average of 35 hours per week to run the business.
Show investment in the business of at least $1,250.
What expenses are eligible under Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines?
Training in business planning, marketing, financials, and more.
Mentorship for eligible program participants.
Where is the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines available?
The Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Starter Company Plus - St. Catharines is a Grant and Funding