Starter Company Plus Program

Are you an entrepreneur who is starting, growing or buying a business? Starter Company Plus is a guided mentorship and training program designed to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge needed to start or grow their business.

Each year, the Small Business Centre delivers two cohorts:

General Cohort: Open to entrepreneurs across all sectors.
Health Venture Cohort: A specialized cohort designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the health and wellness sector.

Join the General Cohort Waitlist

Applications for the 2026 Starter Company Plus Program general cohort are now closed. Get notified when applications open for the next intake.

Join the Health Venture Waitlist

Applications for the next Health Venture cohort open this fall. Be among the first to receive program and application updates.

Health Venture

Health Venture is a specialized stream of Starter Company Plus for entrepreneurs in the health and wellness sector. Designed for paramedical professionals going into business for themselves and health-focused enterprises looking to grow, the program offers entrepreneurs in Barrie, Orillia and Simcoe County:

Business training and weekly in-person classes
Sector-specific mentorship
Support developing and refining a business plan
The opportunity to apply for a micro-grant of up to $5,000 upon successful completion of the program

Group of people posing around a banner with the logos for the Small Business Centre for Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia, the Health Venture program and the Government of Ontario

Program Benefits

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.

Program Guidelines

Who is Eligible

You're eligible to apply if you:

are an aspiring entrepreneur who is at least 18 years old at the time of program intake;
operate from and reside in the Barrie, Simcoe County or Orillia area;
are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
have not previously received a Starter Company Plus grant;
are not enrolled in other provincial employment or self-employment-related programs, whether or not they include financial assistance; and
are not concurrently enrolled in any self-employment or entrepreneurship training/financing programs offered by government-funded organizations.

Your Participation

Over the program period, you must be prepared to:

attend monthly meetings for at least three months after acceptance into the program; and
commit at least 35 hours a week to running your business.

Eligible Business Types

A new company, expansion of an existing company or buying an existing business
A sole proprietorship or a corporation where the applicant will be the majority shareholder
A partnership (only one partner is eligible for Starter Company Plus, and they must demonstrate 51% ownership of the company)
An independent business venture
A social enterprise

Ineligible Business Types

Distributorships or 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 or multi-level marketing (MLM) ventures
Not-for-profit or charitable enterprises
Single events such as a theatrical production, a DJ gig, a music concert, a dance/party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.
Businesses that are strictly pay-per-click

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 Starter Company Plus General Cohort were accepted until August 24, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Interested in the next Starter Company Plus general cohort intake? Join the waitlist to receive program updates, key dates and application information.

Join the general cohort waitlist