Huron County, Ontario – Starter Company Plus enrollment opens on July 1, 2024. The program provides business training, coaching, mentorship, and an opportunity to be awarded a grant of up to $5,000 for eligible participants to start, expand or buy a small business.
“This program gives individuals and business owners the training, tools, coaching and mentorship to set them up for business success,” says Vicki Lass, Director of Economic Development.
The Starter Company Plus program is a popular and highly competitive program that receives dozens of applications each year. Those interested in applying to the 2024 program must submit their completed intake forms no later than July 31 at 4:00 pm. Applicants will be required to participate in a brief interview and successful candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the program by mid-August. Business training, coaching, and mentorship components of the program are scheduled to take place from September to November 2024.
To secure the micro-grant funding, program participants must assemble a comprehensive Business Plan Package, which includes a business plan, cash-flow projections, SWOT analysis and more. Participants are also required to deliver a 10-minute pitch explaining their business start-up or expansion concepts to an external Grant Review Committee.
The County of Huron, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, recognizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs of all ages through their journey into
entrepreneurship and through business expansion and aims to support them through the Starter Company Plus program. This program aims to address local and/or regional economic development needs, and where appropriate, focus on specific industries and sectors.
For more information about the Starter Company Plus program, program eligibility criteria, and applications please visit www.HuronCounty.ca/economic-development or contact the Huron Business Centre at 519.524.8394 ext 6.