Are you an entrepreneur who is starting, growing, or buying a business? Through Starter Company Plus, you could be eligible to apply for our guided mentorship and training program.
Applications for our Spring 2025 cohort closed on Friday February 21st. Stay tuned for the next cohort; sign up for the waitlist to receive information when program applications launch again in late 2025/early 2026.
Those who meet the criteria set out in the program guidelines and are accepted to the program have access to:
Training and business skills development to help to run or grow your own business.
Advice and mentorship from local business leaders.
The potential of receiving a grant of up to $5,000 to help you start a new business or expand your current business.
The amount of grant funding is based on strength of the business plan, economic impact (jobs created), personal investment and long-term sustainability. The number of grants available is limited.
Meet the 2024 Starter Company Plus Cohort
Andrew de Jong | Just Simcoe
A mission-driven company that maximizes online shopping revenue retention within the local economy with an online marketplace that aggregates the 2,000 local brands selling goods in Simcoe County, complemented by efficient same-day delivery service.
Ariadna Martinez | Creactive Training
Offers integrated animal training & counseling programs to enhance mental health through human-animal connection. Services include therapeutic animal training, emotional support animal certification, & specialized child, veteran, & corporate programs.
Brad Ferguson | Upchuckle Education
Upchuckle Education provides unique, quality training and events in art, animation, storytelling and more. Upchuckle Education’s offerings range from custom 1-on-1 lessons and workshops to art and animation day camps for children and teens.
David La Costa | Structured Property Inspections Inc.
Structured Property Inspections Ltd. offers thorough and detailed home inspections that cover all major systems and components, providing peace of mind to homebuyers.
Emily Blocksdorf | Anchors Away Photography
Anchors Away Photography gives small businesses their time back by creating content for their online presence through brand photography.
Hagop Vanayan | Mobile Marksmen Corporation
Mobile Marksmen Corporation aims to provide a unique and safe experience for event attendees by offering a portable Nerf and Air Soft Gun shooting gallery for events to offer a thrilling shooting experience, while ensuring the safety of all participants.
Ilayna Harris | Pawsitive Pawz Inc.
A unique dog wedding concierge service dedicated to including dogs in wedding celebrations, offering packages including pre-wedding training, event coordination, and on-site care to ensure furry friends are well-prepared and comfortable on your big day.
Jake Agema | Addimin
With an administrative portal for managers and a mobile app for job seekers, Addimin streamlines the temporary staffing process, including hiring, scheduling, communication, payroll, staff retention and client management.
White Pines Academy
White Pines Academy is a skill building school for adults with autism, developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Jenna Rossiter | Bitters Cocktail Co
Bitters Cocktail Co. is a mobile bartending service providing professional bar experience for weddings and events.
Jessica Tinney | GalaxyBrain (Menopod)
Menopod provides cooling relief for people experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, and heat stress associated with headaches, migraines, anxiety, or medications. Menopod is effective for anyone dealing with heat stress.
Jinith Kithalawa Arachchi | Keystone Engineering and Design Inc.
Keystone Engineering and Design Inc. offers comprehensive structural design, drafting, inspection, and reporting services tailored to various building projects, primarily focusing on residential and small-scale buildings.
Kara Wardinger | Pawty Animals
Pawty Animals designs and manufactures sustainable dog toys made from more than 91% post-consumer recycled materials including old dog toys.
Kirkland Brown | Under Dog Visions
Under Dog Visions is a multifaceted brand that encapsulates the essence of boom bap rap, entrepreneurial spirit, and community-driven events. The business operates on three primary fronts: music production & performance, event organization, and apparel me
Kyle Popovich | The Popovich Agency
The Popovich Agency creates captivating video content for Simcoe County businesses that boosts their online presence, brand loyalty, and product awareness to drive sales.
Marcello Nicolo | Automated Shades Solutions Inc.
Provides high-quality interior and exterior shading products including blinds, shades, awnings and pergolas, catering to residential and commercial clients, focusing on enhancing the aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, and functionality of any space.
Matthew McMillan | Shelby Watch Company
Shelby Watch Company designs and assembles automatic mechanical tool watches for online sale.
Melodie Sweet | Behaviour Tech
Behaviour Tech creates software and products that foster inclusion amongst underserved populations.
Nathan Paquette | Northern Pros Pressure Washing
Northern Pros Pressure Washing provides pressure washing and low pressure soft washing for various needs. Service areas include house exteriors, deck restorations, driveway cleaning, vehicle fleets, and more.
Robert Curran | MobiCare Advanced Foot Care
MobiCare Advanced Foot Care is a mobile service that provides clinical nursing services to people requesting advanced foot care.
Sarah Achtenberg | Achtenberg Design
Achtenberg Design is an interior design consultancy, planning and development agency.
Shelby DeGroot | Hemp + Heart Co.
Hemp + Heart Co. creates handmade, clean, sustainable, hemp-based skincare and lifestyle products. Hemp + Heart focuses on the health of the consumer and environment by offering luxury, quality products that not only feel good, but do good.
Susanna MacMillan | Sue's Secondhand Styles
Sue's Secondhand Styles will be a consignment and secondhand store, serving the need for affordable, gently used clothing in Orillia.
Teresa Smith | Simplifeye Optical
Simplifeye Optical is a mobile optician service that brings personalized eyewear fittings, prescription lenses, and adjustments directly to client's homes in North Simcoe.
Thomas Parker | Barrie Archery Tag League
A new team sport involving foam arrows and dodgeball-like gameplay. The goal is to build up an archery tag player community with weekly recreational sport style games, and the option to offer the service for events and parties.
Trish Zuniga | PMZ Bookkeeping Services
PMZ Bookkeeping Services is a full lifecycle bookkeeping and payroll firm. Founder Patricia Serrano helps clients understand their business finances, so they are better educated and prepared to grow their business.
Tristan Rodriguez | Stormwood Productions
Stormwood Productions creates videos for commercials, promotions or information for clients to use for their small businesses.
Uche Onyekpe | Techeccentric Consulting
Forward-thinking technology firm specializing in custom AI development, cybersecurity, DevOps implementation and data analytics, empowering organizations by providing innovative solutions and expert guidance, ensuring security and operational efficiency.
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