Starter Company Plus Program - Hamilton

Overview of the Starter Company Plus Program - Hamilton program:

The Starter Company Plus Program is a provincially funded initiative delivered locally by the Hamilton Business Centre, in partnership with the Government of Ontario. The program is intended for entrepreneurs aged 18 and older who are not currently enrolled in full-time studies and who are committed to operating their business full-time. It targets individuals who are starting a new business, expanding an existing one (under five years old), or purchasing an existing business located within the City of Hamilton. This competitive program offers structured training in key areas such as business planning, budgeting, marketing, sales, and financial forecasting. Participants attend a mandatory training period where they gain essential knowledge needed to successfully run their businesses. After the training, eligible participants work one-on-one with advisors to complete a comprehensive business plan and cash flow forecast. Following successful submission of these documents, selected participants are invited to pitch their business idea to a panel for consideration to receive a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000. The program also offers mentorship and advisory support throughout, ensuring entrepreneurs are equipped with tools to build and sustain viable businesses in Hamilton’s local economy.

Benefits of the Starter Company Plus Program - Hamilton program:

• Opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in grant funding
• Free access to comprehensive business training covering business plan development, marketing, finance, and operations
• One-on-one advisory support to help build strong business foundations
• Hands-on assistance with creating a business plan and financial forecast
• The chance to pitch your business to a panel of judges for grant consideration
• Continued mentorship and advisory services after the program concludes
• Access to the Hamilton Business Centres networking events and small business resources

Eligibility criteria of the Starter Company Plus Program - Hamilton program:

• Applicant requirements:
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Not be attending school or planning to return to school while enrolled in the program,
• Be devoting a minimum of 35 hours per week to their small business and not employed anywhere else,
• Businesses less than two (2) years in age,
• Not be enrolled in any other government-funded employment program, and
• Be a resident of Hamilton with the ability to demonstrate proof of physical address
• Business requirements:
• Must be registered at the time of application (Sole Proprietor, Partnership, or Corporation), and this documentation must show a City of Hamilton address,
• Must have a separate business bank account that corresponds with Business Registration documentation,
• Must have majority ownership and the ability to demonstrate proof of ownership and/or shareholder agreement,
• Businesses that require certification and/or license must be current at the time of application,
• Must have been in operation for a minimum of 6 months and be able to demonstrate financial activity statements for this period,
• Can provide a 25% investment of the grant amount ($1,250), and
• Must be able to commit to 12 hours of entrepreneurship training
• Additionally, the business must:
• Be an independent business venture based in Hamilton
• Not be a business that relies on commissioned sales
• Be a legal business in Ontario
• Operate at arms length from family business ventures
• Operate full-time as defined in the business plan
• Maintain its own books and records
• Maintain a separate bank account
• Follow all government rules and regulations and applicable by-laws for the
• Operation of the business
• The following businesses are ineligible for a Starter Company Plus Grant:
• Nightclubs, lounges, cabarets, discotheques, music festivals and events or
• Other similar activities,
• Online businesses that are resellers,
• Technology apps which are not market-ready,
• Student housing and other residential rental accommodation,
• Quasi-financial institutions or money service and money transfer businesses
• (including insurance companies and financial services companies),
• Cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) businesses and traders,
• Businesses brokering funds or taking on a fiduciary duty handling funds for
• Clients (including investment, insurance, and real estate brokers who handle
• Funds in trust for clients),
• Brokers (insurance, real estate, investment, etc.) who are working for an
• Existing firm are not seen to be creating a new business,
• Businesses and platforms that raise funds for charities,
• Charities and non-profits and social enterprise,
• Franchises,
• Collection agencies,
• Businesses that raise investment capital for other businesses,
• Businesses that include or promote financing from equity crowd funding
• (share capital),
• Medical marijuana and cannabis retailers