The Starter Company Plus program is designed to support entrepreneurs in launching, expanding, and growing their small businesses. It achieves this by providing a combination of comprehensive training, dedicated advisory services, valuable mentorship, and opportunities for grant funding.
Program Benefits
• Business Development: Participants receive support in areas such as business training, education, business plan development, growth planning, pivot planning, and budgeting.
• Funding and Mentorship: The program offers the opportunity to be selected for grant funding of up to $5,000 and provides access to mentorship from local business leaders.
Program Structure
• Phase One: Open to all applicants, this phase includes training, education, and assistance in preparing an updated business plan, growth plan, or pivot plan, along with a detailed budget.
• Phase Two: Applicants selected to advance will receive grant funding and engage in a structured three-month mentoring period.
Eligibility Criteria
• Business Location: Applicants must operate a for-profit business located within the municipal boundaries of Markham.
• Employment and Education Status: Applicants must not be employed full time elsewhere, enrolled in a full-time education program, or planning to return to full-time education within the next three years.
• Funding Exclusions: Applicants must not be currently receiving funding from another provincial entrepreneurship or business program.
• Previous Grants: Applicants must not have previously received a Starter Company (Plus) grant or a Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program grant.
• Business Model: Commission-based businesses and franchises are not eligible.
• Residency: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Ontario.
Application Details
• Application Deadline: August 09, 2026
• More Information: Further details can be found by visiting Markham Business.
Entrepreneurs interested in this opportunity are encouraged to visit the official Markham Business website for complete program information and application guidelines.