Can an existing business apply for Starter Company Plus?

Yes. Starter Company Plus supports both new businesses and existing ones looking to grow, unlike student-only programs like Summer Company.

Starter Company Plus (2026): How It Works and How to Apply

Ontario's Starter Company Plus grant, up to $5,000 plus mentoring: who qualifies, what you can spend it on, and how to apply through your local centre.

Starter Company Plus is one of the most searched small business programs in Ontario, and for good reason: it hands new founders up to $5,000 plus training and a mentor. Here is exactly how it works and how to apply. It is one of several Ontario options, which we cover in our Ontario grants guide.

Starter Company Plus at a glanceUp to $5,000

WhereOntarioWhoOntario residents 18+IncludesA grant plus training and mentoringApply throughYour local Small Business Enterprise Centre

What it actually is

Starter Company Plus is an Ontario program that helps people start or grow a small business. It has three parts: a short training course on running a business, one-on-one mentoring, and the chance to win a grant of up to $5,000 toward your business. The grant is the headline, but the training and mentor are often worth just as much for a first-time founder.

Who qualifies

You generally need to be an Ontario resident, 18 or older, and not attending school full time. It is open to people starting a brand-new business and to existing businesses looking to grow. Some centres set their own extra criteria, so the details can vary a little by region.

How to apply, step by step

Find your local Small Business Enterprise Centre. Starter Company Plus is delivered locally, and each centre runs its own intake.
Apply when their intake is open. Spots are limited, so getting in early matters.
Complete the business training and build your business plan with your mentor.
Pitch your plan. The grant is awarded to the strongest plans, so treat the pitch seriously.

What you can spend it on

The grant is meant for real business costs: equipment, inventory, marketing, a website, or other things that help you launch or grow. You usually have to show you are investing your own money too, and you keep receipts to prove the grant went where it was supposed to.

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Common questions

Is Starter Company Plus a grant you have to pay back?

No. The up-to-$5,000 award is a grant, not a loan, as long as you use it for eligible business costs and meet the program's requirements.

How hard is it to get?

It is competitive, since spots and grants are limited, but the training and mentoring improve your odds and are valuable even if you do not win the top grant. A clear, realistic business plan is what wins.

Can an existing business apply?

Yes. Starter Company Plus supports both new businesses and existing ones looking to grow, which sets it apart from student-only programs like Summer Company.

Intakes and details vary by centre and change over time. Confirm with your local Small Business Enterprise Centre before applying, or let Inceptium track it for you.