Markham’s Starter Company Plus program seeks to help entrepreneurs start, expand or grow a small business in Markham by providing training, education and advisory services and an opportunity to be selected for grant funding of up to $5,000.00 including access to mentorship from local business leaders.
Expressions of interest are now being accepted and the deadline for submitting a completed Business Plan/Growth Plan/Pivot Plan and Budget is Monday March 1, 2021.
If you are:
And are willing to:
Then:
The program is delivered in two phases:
1. Open to all applicants: Training, Education and assistance with preparation of an updated Business Plan/growth plan/pivot plan and Budget
2. For selected applicants chosen to proceed to Phase 2: Receive grant funding and begin 3-month mentoring period
Take an Expression of Interest Survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StarterCompanyPlus
Note: This expression of interest is not a complete application. In order to complete an application you must submit a substantially completed business plan/growth plan/pivot plan including a budget to msbc@markham.ca. Our program coordinator will help you get started by recommending training sessions and working with you to complete these documents.
You can find the Business Plan/Growth Plan/Pivot Plan and Financial Forecast/Budget Templates here:
https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/business/msbc/business-plan-templates/business-plan-templatesImportant:
Although training, education and assistance with a business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and cash flow projections/budget are provided to all applicants; selection for grant funding is competitive and there are limited spaces available. Preference to be selected for grant funding assistance will be given to those applicants whose proposals demonstrate realistic plans for:
Complete your business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and cash flow projections/budget as soon as possible, as the program may fill up early.
The deadline for submitting a completed business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and cash flow projections/budget is Monday March 1, 2021. Interviews will then be conducted and those who are selected to receive a grant will then begin three months of mentoring, starting in April as they work towards executing their business plan/growth plan/pivot plan. This is the first of a number of cohorts, so if your application is not selected for this cohort, there is the possibility that your application could be deferred for consideration in a subsequent cohort (pending funding availability).