2026 Applications now open for Starter Company Plus

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre is now accepting applications for the 2026 Starter Company Plus program.
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and delivered by the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre, Starter Company Plus supports businesses that are new start-ups, within the first two years of operations, part-time and expanding into full-time operations, or a newly purchased business.

Starter Company Plus is a training and mentorship program with eligibility for program participants to apply for a limited number of grants of up to $5,000.

The program is open to entrepreneurs who:
• are 18 years of age or older;
• are planning to operate the business full time and are not students or employed full time; and
• their business is located in Niagara, legal in Ontario, and is an independent venture.

For full eligibility criteria, program requirements, online applications and more program information visit https://www.investinstc.ca/site/startercompany.
Applications close August 6th at 4 p.m.

Last year, the Enterprise Centre awarded 14 grants to Starter Company Plus program participants. Since 2013, more than 100 new businesses received grants through Starter Company Plus while hundreds of others completed the training and mentorship sessions through the Enterprise Centre to strengthen St. Catharines economy by creating local jobs.