Starter Company Plus

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner looking to take your business to the next level? The Starter Company Plus program provides training, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help you start, expand, or buy a business in Sarnia-Lambton.

You and your business may be eligible to gain valuable business knowledge, guidance, and up to $5,000 in Starter Company Plus funding to help turn your vision into a reality.

The 2026 Starter Company Plus program intake is now closed.

‍The Business Enterprise Centre is here to support you. We offer free advisory and consulting services to entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a business, including help with business planning, marketing strategies, and navigating permits and licenses.

COMPLETE THE INTAKE FORM

Support and Funding to Launch or Grow Your Business

Selected Starter Company Plus program participants will benefit from training and mentoring roundtables with other participants and will regularly meet one-on-one with a business advisor to help ensure the business is progressing and offer guidance. 

The grant funding is based on the strength of the business plan, including economic impact, personal investment, and long-term sustainability. 

This is a competitive process with limited seats. To start your application:

Submit an Expression of Interest form today at Starter Company PLUS Expression of Interest and Intake Form.

Meet with a small business advisor to discuss your plans and the application process.

Submit your full application (including business plan and cash flow forecasts) by the required deadline. Detailed instructions on the application and how to submit will be provided to individuals after meeting with a small business advisor.

Please note that the 2026 Starter Company Plus program intake is now closed. The Business Enterprise Centre continues to offer free business advisory services for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business. Book your free consultation through this link.

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)

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Determination of grant recipients:

A grant review committee will review the business plan submissions.
This is a competitive process with limited seats, and the decision of the review committee is final. 
Preference will be given based on potential for economic impact (i.e. job creation), and long-term business sustainability. 
The applicants will be informed about the final decision by the last week of July.  
The grant is paid in two installments, the first of the two is expected to be issued by August, with the second installment by end of December after completing the program requirements.
NOTE:  A T4A taxable income slip will be issued.

Starter Company Plus

Support and Funding to Launch or Grow Your Business

Some of Our Past Participants