RFAs: Starter Company Plus Grant – General Business Stream (Canada)

Deadline: 29-May-2026

The Starter Company Plus Grant is a small business support initiative designed to strengthen entrepreneurship in Toronto. It combines financial assistance with structured training and mentorship to help businesses scale and become sustainable.

The programme supports entrepreneurs by offering:

• Business training and skill development
• One-on-one mentoring and advisory support
• Access to micro-grant funding
• Guidance for business expansion and growth
• Local entrepreneurship ecosystem development

Focus Areas

Entrepreneurship development

• Startup creation and early-stage business support
• Entrepreneurial skill-building and planning
• Business model development

Small business growth

• Expansion of existing local businesses
• Revenue and customer growth strategies
• Operational improvement and scaling

Business training and mentoring

• Up to 15 hours of structured training
• Up to 3 months of mentoring and advisory support
• Financial and strategic business guidance

Financial support

• Micro-grant funding up to $5,000
• Support for eligible business expenses
• Investment in business growth activities

Local business development

• Strengthening Toronto-based businesses
• Encouraging local economic development
• Supporting sustainable business operations

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Support small business creation and expansion
• Improve entrepreneurial capacity and knowledge
• Provide financial and advisory support to local entrepreneurs
• Strengthen Toronto’s small business ecosystem
• Increase long-term business sustainability and success rates

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Be at least 18 years old
• Reside in Toronto
• Commit at least 35 hours per week to the business
• Not be enrolled in school or other government-funded employment programmes

Business Requirements

Eligible businesses must:

• Be registered and operating in Toronto
• Have been active for at least 6 months and no more than 5 years
• Maintain a commercial business bank account
• Show financial activity and operational records
• Be majority-owned by the applicant
• Have a physical business address in Toronto

Investment Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate:

• At least 25% prior investment of the grant value
• Eligible expenses include
  • Marketing costs
  • Rent or office space
  • Equipment purchases

Ineligible Business Types

The programme does not fund:

• Charities and non-profit organizations
• Franchise businesses
• Cryptocurrency-related businesses
• Seasonal businesses
• Childcare centres
• Cannabis-related businesses
• Fundraising platforms
• Resellers of third-party manufactured products

Expected Benefits for Participants

Participants receive:

• Business training (up to 15 hours)
• Mentoring and advisory support (up to 3 months)
• Micro-grant funding up to $5,000
• Business growth and scaling support
• Access to local entrepreneurship networks

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Application submission

• Entrepreneurs apply with business details and eligibility proof
• Business must already be operating in Toronto

Step 2: Selection process

• Evaluation based on business viability and growth potential
• Assessment of eligibility and prior investment

Step 3: Training and mentorship

• Participants complete business training modules
• Receive advisory support from mentors

Step 4: Grant allocation

• Eligible businesses receive up to $5,000 funding
• Funds must be used for approved business expenses

Step 5: Business growth support

• Continued mentorship and advisory support
• Monitoring of business progress

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying with an ineligible business type
• Not meeting residency or age requirements
• Insufficient business operating history (less than 6 months)
• Lack of financial documentation or bank account
• Failing to demonstrate prior investment requirement
• Not committing required full-time business hours

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the main purpose of the programme
  • To support small business growth in Toronto through
    • Training
    • Mentoring
    • Advisory services
    • Micro-grant funding up to $5,000
• Who can apply
  • Applicants must
    • Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
    • Be 18 years or older
    • Live in Toronto
    • Operate a registered business locally
• What is the funding amount
  • Up to $5,000 in micro-grant funding per business
• What support is provided besides funding
  • Up to 15 hours of business training
  • Up to 3 months of mentoring and advisory support
• What are the business eligibility requirements
  • Must be
    • Operating in Toronto
    • 6 months to 5 years old
    • Majority-owned by applicant
    • Financially active with a business bank account
• What businesses are not eligible
  • Charities
  • Franchises
  • Crypto businesses
  • Seasonal businesses
  • Childcare centres
  • Cannabis-related businesses
  • Fundraising platforms
  • Resellers

Conclusion

The Starter Company Plus Grant – General Business Stream is a targeted entrepreneurship support programme designed to strengthen small business growth in Toronto. By combining funding, training, and mentorship, it helps early-stage and growing businesses build capacity, improve operations, and achieve long-term sustainability.

For more information, visit City of Toronto.