Entrepreneurship Funding Programs

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth, the Starter Company Plus and Summer Company grant programs are offered through the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre to assist you in starting or growing your company.

Starter Company Plus

Are you looking to start up or scale up a company? Get funded with Starter Company Plus!

The Starter Company Plus program provides entrepreneurs aged 18 and over with tailored advice, mentoring and training to help you launch or expand your business. Additionally, you have the opportunity to receive a grant of up to $5,000.

Applications for the 2022 Starter Company Plus program is now closed. Please subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on our future programs and services.

Eligibility

18 years of age or older
A Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Not employed full-time
Not currently enrolled in full-time education and not planning to return to school full-time in the next 3 years
Proposing starting a new company, expanding an existing company or buying a business in Ontario (excluding franchises, distributorships, wholesale, trade, commissioned sales, multi-level marketing ventures, not-for-profit and/or charities, strictly pay-per-click businesses, and single events such as music concert, fundraiser, sporting tournament, etc.)
Not controlled directly or indirectly by an individual who does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Starter Company Plus program
Prepared to commit to a minimum average of 35 hours a week to run the business
Prepared to commit to the monthly mentorship requirements for a minimum of 3 months
Prepared to complete a mandatory Business Training program
Not currently participating in any other self-employment or entrepreneurship training or financing programs offered by government funded organizations
Have not received other government funding
Can demonstrate 25% cash or equivalent commitment to the business

Summer Company

Do you have an idea that you are super excited to bring to life or a business you are inspired start? Are you a student who is interested in learning what it would be like to be your own boss?

Get funded with Summer Company! Successful applicants get business education, 2 months of mentorship and up to $3,000 in funding.

To apply, you need a launch-ready business idea, a free summer, and a short business plan. This program is available for full time students between 15 - 29 years of age. To get started, please fill out this inquiry form.

Please note: Summer Company applications close May 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Application Process

Complete the Inquiry Form (above)
Complete the Eligibility Application
If eligible, you will invite to an interview
Submit your application, as well as your business plan and cash flow forecast

Eligibility

Enrolled in an Ontario high school, college or university
Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
15 to 29 years old
Not currently running a business
Not currently employed and working more than 12 hours
Not enrolled in summer school for more than 12 hours per week
Not a past Summer Company grant recipient
Commit to an average of 35 hours a week to run your business

Centre for Local Innovation and Collaboration (CLIC)

The City of Richmond Hill has partnered with OCAD University to launch the Centre for Local Innovation and Collaboration (CLIC)! Funded by eCampus Ontario, this unique, design-driven centre for innovation is part of a broad-based approach to accelerating business growth and innovation.

CLIC exists to explore opportunities for local businesses to gain access to applied research and to leverage human-centred design expertise.

For more information visit: Richmondhill.ca/CLIC

Eligibility

18 years of age or older
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
An Ontario registered business
Under 500 employees
Over 50% of staff located in Ontario
Prepared to work with OCAD researchers
Prepared to complete a mandatory Business Training Program
Intention to leverage creative technology, human-centered design, and applied research to create products/services that improve the lives of Ontario residents

Digital Main Street

The Digital Main Street Program funded by the Province of Ontario in partnership with the Ontario BIA Association seeks to help small main street businesses across Ontario improve their adoption of technologies to better promote themselves online, sell online and even run back-office processes online. Every business that wants to participate in the grant must first take an online assessment of their current technology use. Based on the assessment, the business will then develop a Digital Transformation Plan based on a template that will be provided which will detail their goals and what technologies they need to achieve those goals. To help put the plan into action, the business can then apply for a one-time grant of $2,500 to help with the costs of adopting the required technology.

For more information, please Learn more about the Digital Main Street Program.

Freshworks for Startups

Freshworks is a leading maker of cloud-based customer and employee engagement software. With this innovative partnership, Richmond Hill startups can receive $4000 in credits on the Freshworks suite of products and priority access to the Freshworks startup program including events, resources, workshops, mentoring and much more.

To learn more about the program and apply please email rhsbec@richmondhill.ca.

Mentorship Opportunities

If you have business experience and expertise and a desire to help develop new and aspiring entrepreneurs, then we'd like to hear from you. Start mentoring with the Richmond Hill SBEC and you will have the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs who are starting or scaling up their businesses.

Apply for group mentorship or one-on-one mentorship

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