Starter Company Plus

Eligible applicants for the Starter Company Plus program are:

• Over the age of 18

• Proposing a new company, expansion of an existing company less than 5 years in operation, or buying a business

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and resident of Ontario

• Not a student and not returning to school.

• Not enrolled in any government employment or self-employment related program that include or do not include financial assistance.

• Able to commit to 12 hours of training plus regular meetings over a 5–6-month period. (Group session schedule to be supplied in July after participant selection.)

• Prepared to commit a minimum average of 35 hours a week running the business.

• Business owner with the ability to demonstrate proof of business ownership and/or majority ownership through a shareholder agreement.

• Able match at least 25% ($1,250) of the grant funds requested in cash contribution to the business.

• Not a previous Starter Company Plus grant recipient.

Eligible businesses for the Starter Company Plus program must:

• Operate within Lambton County.

• Be registered with the Province of Ontario before receiving the first grant disbursement.

• Have a separate business bank account before receiving the first grant disbursement.

• If a new business, possess all necessary certifications and licenses to operate and be able to launch and generate sales within 60 days of receiving the first grant disbursement.

Ineligible businesses for the Starter Company Plus program include:

• Part-time/seasonal business 

• Distributorship/franchise

• Non-profit or charity

• Single events

• Pay-per-click business

• Commissioned sales

• Multi-level marketing

• Nightclubs, lounges, cabarets, discotheques, music festivals, and events, or other similar activities

• Online businesses that are resellers

• Technology apps that are not market-ready

• Student housing and other residential rental accommodation

• 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

• Collection agencies

• Businesses and platforms that raise funds for charities

• Businesses that raise investment capital for other businesses

• Businesses that include or promote financing from equity crowdfunding (share capital)