starter company plus
Starter Company Plus is a training and mentoring program for start-up businesses less than 1 year in age.
This program offers opportunities for FREE training in Business Planning, Marketing, and Social Media, as well as Bookkeeping and Financial Management. PLUS, there is an ongoing FREE mentorship opportunity AND funding opportunities of up to $5,000 for eligible businesses approved into the program.
apply for the spring cohort nowProgram Information:
Extended! Applications are now OPEN for the Spring 2022 cohort! Applications will now be accepted until May 31st, 2022 (11:59 pm).
- Starter Company Plus Application Form
- Frequently Asked Questions (download)
- Starter Company Plus Grant Expenditures (download)
- Starter Company Plus Cohort Date Commitments (download)
Upcoming Information Sessions:
Interested in learning more about Starter Company Plus?
Individuals interested are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session to learn more and clarify NEW eligibility requirements. Each session is approximately 45 minutes in length.
Upcoming events:
Individual Eligibility Eligibility:
- 18 years of age and over
- Ontario resident – living in Hamilton
- Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident
- Not attending school full-time; not working outside the business more than 20 hours per week
- Operating a full-time business in Hamilton (35+ hours per week)
- Not enrolled in another self-employment program
- The applicant is fully responsible for the ongoing operation of the business and is the majority shareholder (at least 50%) in the case of a corporation
- Agree to follow all government rules and regulations for operating a business
Business Activity Eligibility:
- Business is in the start-up and/or operational phase (less than 1 year in age)
- Businesses must be sales-ready within the funding timeframe
- Business is an independent business venture
- Business does not rely on commission sales
- Business is not an existing franchise operation
- Business operates at arm’s length from family business ventures
- Business operates full-time as defined in the business plan (35+ hours per week)
- Business maintains its own books and records
- Business maintains a separate business bank account
Wait List:
If you do not qualify for the Spring 2022 cohort, you are welcome and encouraged to add your name and email address to our waitlist. Everyone signed up on the waitlist will be notified as soon as the Fall 2022 cohort is announced.
While you wait to hear about SCP, we encourage you to start and grow your business, as well as take advantage of the other resources and services the Hamilton Business Centre offers including FREE workshops and FREE consultations.
join the wait list todayIN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
