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Starter Company Plus
Invest Ottawa · Starter Company Plus is a free training and mentorship program for early-stage, non-tech, Ottawa-based businesses.
Overview
Starter Company Plus is a free training and mentorship program for early-stage, non-tech, Ottawa-based businesses. Participants receive business fundamentals training, dedicated mentorship, and the opportunity to pitch for grants up to $5,000 to help launch or grow their business.
Eligibility
Must be 18 years of age or olderOperating business from Ottawa, OntarioOntario resident and Canadian citizen or permanent residentNot attending or returning to full-time schoolEarly-stage product or service-based business (non-tech)Not enrolled in another provincial or government-funded employment or entrepreneurship training programEligible projects
Business plan or canvas developmentCash flow forecasting and financial planningDigital marketing and branding strategiesTax planning for sole proprietorsBusiness milestone definition and pitch deck developmentFinancing terms
Program offers free training and mentorship to all participantsSelected participants can pitch for grants of up to $5,000Not all program participants receive grants; all benefit from training and mentorshipSpecial Food-Based Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) cohort available for entrepreneurs developing packaged food productsHow to apply
1Check eligibilityConfirm you meet every criterion listed above before you start.
2Prepare the project packageProject description, budget with quotes, team, and recent financial statements.
3Apply on investottawa.caGovgrant members can draft the application with AI and export a formatted PDF.
4Respond to reviewer questionsMost programs come back with one round of questions within a few weeks of submission.
Additional information
Applications currently closed; interested applicants can join waitlist for future cohortsRegular programming will return in the fallProgram includes business fundamentals training, mentorship matching, and a final pitch eventParticipants must complete business plan/canvas, cash flow forecast, milestones, and pitch deck as program requirementsAt a glanceMaximum$5KProviderInvest OttawaDeadlineRolling intakeStatusClosedRegionOntarioOfficial sourceinvestottawa.ca ↗
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