Applications are being accepted for the next round of Starter Company Plus

Oct. 19, 2022 3:00 p.m.
​Program offers up to $5,000 in grant funding to help local businesses succeed  

Are you a business owner or entrepreneur looking for additional support to start or grow? If so, the City of Vaughan’s Starter Company Plus program helps brick-and-mortar companies and startup entrepreneurs like you succeed!

The program offers tailored training to help you develop your business plan, marketing strategy, budget and financial forecast. You will also receive one-on-one consultations with a business advisor focused on supporting the development of your new business plan. Training components will be delivered virtually, with options for in-person support.

In addition to business planning support, you will have the opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 in provincial grant funding to execute your plan.

To be eligible for grant funding, participants must:

  • be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
  • not be attending school full-time.
  • be a resident of Ontario.
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • not currently be enrolled in other self-employment or entrepreneurship training/financing initiatives financed by government-funded organizations.
  • not have previously received a Starter Company or Starter Company Plus grant.

For businesses to be eligible under the existing brick-and-mortar businesses stream, businesses must:

  • be located and operate in Vaughan.
  • have operated out of a commercial storefront or office/industrial space at a location other than the applicant’s principal residence.
  • have access to at least three months of working capital (either cash savings or access to credit).
  • be an independent business and operate at arm’s length from family business ventures.
  • have less than 10 full-time employees (25 if a restaurant) (or equivalent).

Businesses not eligible to receive funding include:

  • distributorships
  • franchises
  • incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be eligible for a Starter Company Plus Award
  • commissioned sales
  • not-for-profit or charitable enterprises
  • multi-level marketing ventures

Application intake is ongoing for those interested in applying for grant funding. The upcoming application period ends Wednesday, Nov. 9. By this date, you must have your training complete and your business plan and budget submitted. The City encourages participants to submit their completed business plan and budget early, as spots are limited and may fill before each application period ends.

For more information about the program and to apply, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/Starter-Company-Plus.

To keep up with the City’s newest business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletter at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.

For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

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