Starter Company Plus

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Starter Company Plus

The Starter Company Plus program offered through Kingston Economic Development Corporation with funding from the Government of Ontario, is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs aged 18 and over with the opportunity to pitch for a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000 to start or grow your business.

While the Starter Company Plus initiative is open to eligible individuals (see below for eligibility criteria), the training and mentoring is a mandatory aspect of this program geared toward assisting those in need of business knowledge and support.

What You Get

Through Starter Company Plus, you receive:

· The opportunity to pitch for a non-repayable business grant of up to $5,000
· One-on-one guidance from a Small Business Enterprise Centre advisor
· Professional business workshops, seminars and networking events
· Training for entrepreneurs from business plan development to financial planning and marketing
· Access to a professional business mentor with experience in starting, expanding or buying a small business

Applications are now closed!

“The Starter Company Plus program has been an invaluable jumping-off point, helping to lay the groundwork for my business … the content and delivery is clear, relevant, and accessible, and the business plan I’m walking away with has given me so much insight into every aspect of my business.”

– Chelsea Gutzman, Owner of the Coffee Plant Café & Boutique

To be eligible, the applicant must:

· not be currently attending school on a full-time basis nor intending to return to school;
· be a resident of Ontario;
· be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
· be 18 years of age or older at the time of application;
· not have full-time employment outside of the Project at the time of funding;
· not be receiving social assistance ie. ODSP;
· be fully responsible for the ongoing operations and decisions of the Project and is the majority partner or shareholder;
· not be enrolled in other provincial business startup programs that include financial assistance;
· not be currently enrolled concurrently in any self-employment programs offered by government-funded organizations;
· be expected to match the grant amount they are requesting with a 25% personal investment (eg. a $2000 grant will require a $500 personal contribution in the business);
· not have previously received Starter Company or Starter Company Plus funding in Ontario; and
· business training is mandatory in order to submit an application

To be eligible, the business must:

· be proposing to start a new business or expand an existing business that is 5 years or younger with proof of sales;
· not be a business that relies on national sales frameworks ie. Pyramid Marketing;
· be a legal business in Ontario;
· not be a franchise;
· operate full-time as defined in the business plan;
· have a separate bank account in order to maintain books and records;
· follow all government rules and regulations and applicable by-laws for the operation of the business; and
· be sales ready at the time of funding

Meet the 2023 Fall Starter Company Plus Cohort:

Wellness Within Therapy by Kyla Balderson
Wellness Within Therapy and Counselling Services is a collaborative, client-centered group mental health practice. As a group therapy practice, they offer a wide range of services for individuals, couples and families using a combination of talk therapy and skill building interventions.

Cher-Mère by Aba Mortley
Aba Mortley is leading an extension of the well-known brand by introducing a new learning program to provide advanced training for estheticians to provide hair care services for members of the BIPOC community. Cher-Mère has also partnered with Corrections Canada to provide this program in correctional facilities, as a method of skill training.

FrontLine Fire & Life Safety Inc. by Chadwick Wansbrough
FrontLine Fire & Life Safety certified experts handle all aspects of fire and life safety from installation to emergency services with solutions to all you fire prevention and management needs. FrontLine Fire and Life Safety offers 24-hour service to all customers, so their customers can have confidence that their facilities’ occupants and property is protected.

Moxie and Mine by Kendra Allen
Moxie and Mine is a consignment and thrift shop housing Kingston’s only preowned bridal wear, a small selection of vintage wedding gowns, and second-hand vintage and designer fashion. With many options on vintage and designer fashion, Moxie and Mine is the eco and budget friendly approach for the modern girl.

In Your Stead by Mathieu Gandmaitre
In Your Stead strives to provide the highest standard of care, farm sitting and pet sitting service for homes and small farms in Kingston and area. We rely on our experience with a wide variety of animals to build relationships with our clients. This helps ensure a safe and happy environment for all.

Mo’s Dainty Bites by Olanike Gbadamosi
Mo’s Dainty Bites is an exciting start-up snack and finger food business rooted in the vibrant culinary traditions of Nigeria. Their business will bring a taste of Nigeria to Kingston by providing fresh, high-quality, and affordable finger foods and snacks. So, stop by Mo’s Dainty Bites for sweet and savoury authentic Nigerian finger foods today!

Venture Growth by Jeff Hewitt
Venture Growth Co. offers innovative social media management and exclusive Content Spotlight Services, delivering compelling brand stories that drive customer engagement and business growth. Founded by a veteran marketer with extensive industry experience, their company stands out through a unique blend of creative storytelling and strategic marketing, tailored to amplify their clients’ digital presence.

Maritime Surface Maintenance by Riley Wetmore
Specializing in concrete & stone rejuvenation, with complimentary anti-slip coatings, Maritime Surface Maintenance provides professional cleaning and/or replacement of all surfaces, horizontal & vertical. We do siding & roofing replacement, eavestrough cleaning, and deck cleaning & staining. We don’t cut corners, we wash them!

Lovebugs Farm by Rebecca Granville
Lovebugs Farm is an innovative and sustainable agri-venture poised to redefine the food industry by introducing cricket-based products to the market. With a focus on ethical farming practices, environmental responsibility, and community engagement, Lovebugs Farm envisions a future where insect consumption becomes a mainstream and eco-conscious choice.

Emily West Coaching by Emily West
Emily West Coaching offers experiential relationship and intimacy coaching. In sessions, the coach and client(s) create a clothes-on, safe and professional space in which to discuss, practice and resolve, intimate relationship and sexual concerns, issues, goals and dreams. Emily has become qualified to provide this coaching to realize a longtime dream of helping humans lead honest, open and fulfilled lives.

Gunguo Art & History Farm by William Suk
Gunguo is a sculpture garden and painting gallery specializing in traditional and contemporary African and Canadian art. Their 80-acre property displays contemporary art on an 1820s Canadian farmstead complete with a limestone farmhouse, a large lilac grove and century barns. Through their outdoor art farmstead, they are shining a light on traditional art styles from Africa and Canada.

Suitability

While the Starter Company Plus initiative is open to eligible individuals, the training and mentoring is a mandatory aspect of this program geared toward assisting those in need of business knowledge and support.

Approval into the Starter Company Plus initiative is competitive and eligible applicants may not all be accepted.

Interested In Applying For The Starter Company Plus Program?

Timeline for 2024 Spring Cohort: 

February 26 – March 15, 2024 – Application window open
March 18 – 25, 2024 – Mandatory Business Bootcamp
April 8, 2024 – Final day to submit business plan and pitch
April 25, 2024 – Participants notified of the results of the judging panel
May – August 2024 – coaching and mentorship program 

Contact Norman Musengimana

Business Development Manager,
Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship
613-544-2725 x 7222
Cell: 613-217-0932
musengimana@investkingston.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to receive funding, the business can be a new start-up, an acquisition (i.e. the participant is purchasing a business from a retiring entrepreneur) or an existing business that is less than 5 years old. As long as the applicant is fully responsible for the ongoing operation and decisions of the business and is the majority shareholder in the case of a corporation, most types of businesses are allowed under the program.

To be eligible, a business or proposed business must:

· be proposing to start a new business or expand an existing business that is 5 years or younger with proof of sales;
· not be a business that relies on national sales frameworks ie. Pyramid Marketing;
· be a legal business in Ontario;
· not be a franchise;
· operate full-time as defined in the business plan;
· have a separate bank account in order to maintain books and records;
· follow all government rules and regulations and applicable by-laws for the operation of the business; and
· be sales-ready at the time of funding

Yes. A business or proposed business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation, but the grant can only be given to one person in the company. For corporations and partnerships, the recipient must own at least 50% of the shares. The Starter Company Plus recipient must be responsible for the ongoing management of the firm. In addition, if there are two partners only one is eligible to receive the Starter Company Plus grant of up to $5,000 for a specific business idea (grants will not be given to multiple individuals for the same business idea).

Participants may receive up to $5,000 in funding. Participants are expected to match the grant amount they are requesting with a 25% personal investment (eg. a $5000 grant will require a $1250 personal contribution in the business). This may include asset-based or in-kind contributions at fair market value, such as equipment or machinery required to run the business, e.g., ladders/scaffolding for a painting company, camera and lenses for a photographer. In-kind contributions may not include “sweat equity” (a contribution in the form of effort as opposed to a financial contribution) or loans or other types of loaned support.

Yes. Participants who receive a Starter Company Plus grant must sign an agreement that outlines their responsibilities under the program. If they do not adhere to this agreement, they will be considered in default of the program and recovery of all grant monies disbursed.

A grant committee made up of local business professionals, entrepreneurs and private sector stakeholders will review final applications and determine which applicants are accepted and the amount of funding a proposal receives.

Acceptance decisions are based on:

· feasibility of the proposed business;
· proposed business’ potential for growth and job creation;
· start-up budget and financing needs of the proposed business;
· cash and in-kind contributions of the applicant;
· applicant’s overall participation in the training program; and
· regional economic development priorities based on specific industry sectors

Yes. Even if a proposal is not selected to receive funding, a participant can still participate in the training and mentoring components of the program to help them open a business. This is dependent on the number of seats available in training and mentoring.

Yes. There is no restriction against participants receiving Employment Insurance (EI), however, once you register and start the business you are no longer eligible for EI as a self-employed person.

Those participating in Starter Company Plus may not be enrolled at the same time in the Ontario Works Self Employment Development program, Summer Company, or any other similar programs offered by government-funded organizations. However, it is possible to access these programs sequentially. For example, someone who has started a business through Summer Company may later apply to participate in Starter Company Plus in order to take their business to the next level. Similarly, participants may apply to Futurpreneur (formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation) after receiving Starter Company Plus funding and mentoring, provided that they apply in the first year of operation of their business.

Yes. A potential applicant to the program who is enrolled in part-time schooling or training (part-time is defined as 1 course per semester) is eligible for participation in the Starter Company Plus program. You must be prepared to satisfy program training and mentoring requirements and commit a minimum average of 30 hours per week to running your business.

No. The intent of Starter Company Plus is to help people launch a new business or expand an existing business where other forms of financing are unavailable. Those working full-time in a separate field are not eligible. You may work part-time and still apply. A part-time job is defined as no more than 20 hours per week.

Starter Company Plus is a provincial program, but you must apply in the municipality where you reside and where your business is located. In the Kingston region, all applications are submitted to the Kingston Economic Development Corporation office.