Starter Company Plus Early Application Offer
Starter Company Plus is a training and mentorship program for businesses that are new start-ups, within the first two years of operations, a part time business expanding into full time operations, or a newly purchased business. This program offers training in business planning, marketing, financials, and more.
Mentorship is available for eligible program participants and grants of up to $5,000 are available. Full individual eligibility will be discussed at an intake interview with the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre (SCEC).
Early Application Offer
** exclusive to those who added their names to our notification list **
applications received from those not on the list will be rejected and will be asked to re-apply when general applications are open
General applications open July 6, 2026
Application Guide
Personal Eligibility Criteria*
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident at time of application
- Prepared to commit to a minimum average of 35 hours per week to run the business
- Not have employment outside of the business more than 12 hours per week (documentation may be requested)
- Be fully responsible for the on-going operation of the business and are the majority owner (51% or more)
- Be able to show investment in the business of at least $1,250
- Not received grant funds from the Starter Company Plus program previously
Business Eligibility*
The proposed business must be either a new start-up, an existing business within the first two years of operations looking to expand and hire, a part-time business expanding into full-time operations, or a newly purchased business and be:
- Located in the municipalities of St. Catharines, Welland, Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln, West Lincoln, or Grimsby (priority will be given to applicants from St. Catharines and Welland)
- An independent business venture
- A legal business in Ontario that follows all government rules, regulations, and applicable by-laws for the operation of the business
- Operates at arms-length from family business ventures
- Operates at full-time as defined in the business plan
- Maintains a separate business bank account
- Has not received grant funds from the Starter Company Plus program previously
- All businesses must be market ready
Non-eligible businesses*
- Franchises and distributorships
- Commissioned sales representatives (realtors, mortgage brokers, insurance brokers, etc.)
- 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
- Single events (theatrical productions, a concert, a DJ gig, a dance or party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.)
- Businesses that are strictly pay-per-click or 1-900 number businesses
*Eligibility subject to change until applications open
Program Requirements
- All required training must be completed
- All business documentation requested must be provided (business registration, articles of incorporation, proof of insurance, proof of personal contribution, personal identification, etc.)
- A business plan, investment budget, and financial forecast must be completed, to the satisfaction of the SCEC, before being considered by the Grant Committee
- Program participants should expect the program to run over an approximate six-month period and should be able to commit to all training and mentor meetings in that time
- An exit interview must be completed
Timeline:
- Applications must be submitted by: August 6, 2026
- Program start date: August 20, 2026
- Training dates:
Additional mandatory for select participants: August 21, 2026
Optional training: September 9, 2026, and September 15, 2026
- Business plans and financial forecasts are due: September 17, 2026
- Pitch training dates (for selected participants): October 27, 2026 and October 29, 2026
- Pitches to the Grant Committee (for selected participants): November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026
- Grant recipients must spend funds by: January 15, 2027
- Follow up mentoring for finalists and grant recipients: January - February 2027
The Fine Print
- Starter Company Plus is competitive in nature and there is no guarantee a grant will be awarded. Full eligibility and program details will be discussed at an intake session with the SCEC
- This program is delivered by the SCEC and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. There are a limited number of grants available
- The SCEC reserves the right to disqualify any participant that, in its sole judgement, violates the spirit of the program and its guidelines, processes and rules
- SCEC and its Grant Committee decisions are final
- The SCEC reserves the right to suspend, delay, modify or cancel these terms and conditions
Please note:
All program participants will receive business training, however, not all will receive the grant/seed funding.
Application Process:
- Review all eligibility requirements
- Complete the application form in the "Application" tab
- Those under consideration for acceptance to the program will be invited to a mandatory interview
Please note:
If you do not see a response to your application submission within two business days*, please check your junk or spam folder.
* business days do not include weekends or holidays
Early Application Offer will close July 3, 2026 at 4:00 pm
General applications open July 6, 2026
2025 Grant Recipients
- Alexandria Ferron - Sweet Canines Shop
- Candice Rousseau - Reflect Reset Renew Therapy Service
- Carlos De Veyra - Brindle Food Corporation
- Carly Brenton - Paperscript
- Carmine Posteraro - Big Carms Italian Market
- Elisabeth Vint - Feather & Fern Events & Catering
- Jacqueline Moulton - Niagara Naturopathic & Wellness Clinic
- Jeff Gale - Spotlight Comedy Club
- Kat Seaborn - Restaurant Capelin
- Mathew Schaefer - Schaefer Productions
- Rela Teeuwsen - Rela Teeuwsen Studios
- Russell Lewis - Datashark Canada
- Sonya Mohammadi - Kooblan
- Tammy Strongitharm - Strong Paws Dog Training
- Tolga Baykala - Lokanta Cafe
- Willow Stewart - Osiris Kitchen
2024 Grant Recipients
- Anita Rocha - HiDEA
- Ben Beckwith - Deck Restore +
- Cassandra Catena - Catena Denture and Hearing
- Connor Chesebrough - Niagara Pool Services
- Eleanor Pineau - Myco Pet
- Filomena Scarfone - Scarfone Imaging
- Fred Leppard - Leppard Inspections Inc
- Gregor Sayliss - Wandering Spirits
- Hana Khairi - Brighter Smiles Niagara
- Josh Cowan - PrecisionWorks Manufacturing Solutions
- Katrina Stuppiello-Streiss - The Profit Gals
- Linda Batista - HappySnack
- Matt Antonello - Recharge Health
- Michael Smith - Demarquez-Vous
- Miranda Lamontagne - Collectively Unique Boutique
- Zeynep Ozbek - Masq Leather
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