Starter Company Plus Program

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 the 2026 program are open until August 24 at 11:59pm. Please reach out to the Small Business Centre office to request your application package at smallbusiness@barrie.ca.

Those who meet the criteria set out in the program guidelines and are accepted to the program have access to: 

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.

Types of Businesses