1. Starter Company Plus Expression of Interest

 
 17% of survey complete.
In order to apply for the Starter Company Plus Program, please take a moment to fill in the following information. This form is two parts. First is a set of multiple choice questions that should not take longer than 10 minutes.
 
Second, you must provide a brief business concept narrative. This will take additional time. To get you thinking, your narrative should address the following bullets (maximum 1-2 sentences per bullet). 
  • Describe the business you are planning to start or grow.
  • Describe the specific products and or services you are offering.
  • What need(s) does your product or service meet?
  • Who is your target market?
  • How and why it will be feasible/viable as a year round, full time business?
  • If you are in growth mode, describe your planned expansion. For example, will you hire employees, increase your revenues, expand to a new location, etc.?
  • Why do you feel you will be a successful entrepreneur?
Important Note: 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:
  • Employment for individuals other than the business owner; and/or,
  • Operating or opening a brick-and-mortar physical location outside of a home office; and/or,
  • Expansion towards new lines of product/service revenue (particularly online/virtual); and/or,
  • Operating in a priority sector (e.g., food & beverage, main street retail, accommodation, arts, entertainment & recreation, sports, cultural, travel and attractions, professional, scientific, technical, medical, life sciences services or technologies that are market ready with demonstrated traction)
Please fill out this Expression of Interest survey.

Important: This expression of interest is not a complete application.  If you are shortlisted, we will contact you for the full application!

Please read our eligibility requirements carefully to avoid confusion.

Eligibility Requirements
If you are:
·         A for-profit business located in the City of Markham
·         Not employed full time elsewhere
·         Not in a full-time education program and/or not planning to return to school full-time in the next 3 years
·         Not currently receiving funding from another Provincial entrepreneurship or business program
·         Not a previous recipient of the Starter Company (Plus) grant nor Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program grant
·         Not a commission-based business nor franchise business
·         A Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario.

And are willing to:
·         Create and follow a business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and a 2-year financial forecast/budget
·         Agree to participate in training and monthly mentoring meetings over a 3-month period
·         Agree to provide business reports to the Markham Small Business Centre for verification over a 3-month period.

Then:
·         Your business may be a fit with the Starter Company Plus program.


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 (October to December)

This Expression of Interest MUST be completed by Sunday, September 12 at 5PM in order to be considered.

Question Title

* 1. Before we begin, we need to know who you are.

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