Starter Company Plus Program - Trade Selector Program (Toronto)

Overview of the Starter Company Plus Program - Trade Selector Program (Toronto) program:

This program supports eligible entrepreneurs in Toronto by combining training, mentoring/advisory support, and a small funding boost. The City offers up to 15 hours of business training, up to 3 months of advisory/mentorship services, and a $5,000 micro-grant to assist with growth and expansion. The program is offered in multiple “streams” (such as a general business stream and a specialized Trade Accelerator stream) with slightly different eligibility rules.

Benefits of the Starter Company Plus Program - Trade Selector Program (Toronto) program:

• Starter Company Plus Grant Trade Accelerator Stream provides businesses with targeted training and support to help them build export capacity and accelerate growth in international markets.
• If you are a business in the City of Toronto, the Starter Company Plus Grant Trade Accelerator Stream can provide the following support:
• Practical training,
• Expert mentorship, and
• A micro-grant of $5,000.

Eligibility criteria of the Starter Company Plus Program - Trade Selector Program (Toronto) 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,
• Not be enrolled in any other government-funded program,
• Be a resident of Toronto with the ability to demonstrate proof of physical address.
• Business Requirements:
• Eligible entrepreneurs must also have small businesses that meet the following criteria
• Must be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory;
• Be a for-profit company;
• Must have an active Business Number (BN) at the time of application (The nine-digit business number (BN) is a unique account identifier associated only with your business. It streamlines how your business deals with the federal government of Canada and gives entrepreneurs access to important Canada Revenue Agency accounts. The BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA));
• Must have a commercial business bank account at the time of application which corresponds with Business Registration documentation;
• Must be located in Toronto with ability to demonstrate proof of physical address,
• Must have been in operation for minimum 2 years and be able to demonstrate financial activity statements for this period;
• 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 not be past recipient of the MRRI-Retail Accelerator Program and any stream of the Starter Company Plus Grant (including Retail Accelerator Program (RAP), Female Founders, General Business, etc.) from the City of Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre or other Small Business Enterprise Centres within Ontario;
• Must be able to commit to in-person and/or virtual entrepreneurship training;
• Ineligible Businesses:
• Ineligible entities include:
• Individuals;
• Other financial support programs or funds, either public or private;
• Public relations agencies or marketing agencies;
• Entities or subsidiaries of a parent company;
• Recipients who have received the MRRI-Retail Accelerator Program and any stream of the Starter Company Plus Grant (including Retail Accelerator Program (RAP), Female Founders, General Business, etc.) from the City of Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre or other Small Business Enterprise Centres within Ontario.