Starter Company Plus
Overview of Starter Company Plus
Starter Company Plus supports eligible (aspiring) entrepreneurs looking to build their small businesses. The program provides training, mentoring, and advice. It also helps small business owners apply for grants that will aid them financially.
The Halton Region Small Business Centre is the program administrator in Halton Region.
Program Sponsor
Starter Company Plus is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
Eligibility criteria for Starter Company Plus
To apply for the Starter Company Plus program, you must:
- be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
- be 18 years of age or older
- not be attending school or planning to return to school while enrolled in the program
- not be enrolled in any other government-funded employment program
- own, or plan to own, a business in Halton Region
Application/Registration
Starter Company Plus Pitch Competition for grant funds
You may be eligible for a grant if you:
- can provide match funding of 25% of the grant amount
- can provide a comprehensive business plan
- can provide a 2 year forecast of financials
- have completed mandatory training (including seminars, webinars, modules and workshops)
- are selected to take part in the Pitch Competition
The Halton Region Small Business Centre sponsors a Pitch Competition as part of the Starter Company Plus program. Each Starter Company Plus participant is invited to submit their business plan for consideration for the Pitch Competition. Business Plans will be reviewed and evaluated. Participants with the top Business Plans will be invited to pitch to our panel of judges. If your pitch is successful, you will be awarded a grant of $5,000. If you are awarded a grant, you must spend the funds before the end date of your cohort. You must provide receipts showing how the grant funding was spent.
Winners of Grant Funding
A panel of judges chosen by the Halton Region Small Business Centre select grant winners. Each business plan oral pitch presentation is carefully evaluated and scored. Those with the highest scores are awarded grant funding. All pitch participants will be notified by telephone or email. Notifications will be made within two weeks of evaluations. Should an award be declined or a winning applicant not be contacted within 5 days of our effort, we may select another recipient.
The decision of program judges is final and binding.
All Starter Company Plus participants must:
- meet all eligibility requirements;
- agree to abide by all rules and regulations* of the program
*Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.
If you require certification and/or license for your business, you must have these on program enrolment in Starter Company Plus.
Only those who participate in the program will receive group mentoring.
By participating in the Program you agree to release and hold harmless The Regional Municipality of Halton and its employees, volunteers, officers and representatives, from any liability, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not from (i) participation in the Program (including the pitch competition) and (ii) one’s acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the grant or any portion thereof.
Participants in Starter Company Plus are added to a mailing list, but may unsubscribe at any time.
Starter Company Plus is subject to the laws of the Province of Ontario.
Starter Company Plus events
Meet our Grant Winners
Jihyen Ha – Lumi Insights

Lumi Insights helps organizations bring clarity to their data so they can make confident, informed decisions.

Muhammad Usman Tariq – Buddy Glow

Buddy Glow is Canadian a pet-safety lifestyle brand that provides safety wear for dogs, keeping them safe, visible, and comfortable during outdoor adventures - day and night.
- Website: buddyglow.com (external link)
- Email: info@buddyglow.com
- Facebook: Buddy Glow (Facebook) (external link)
- Instagram: @buddyglowpets (external link)
- Linkedin: Buddy Glow (LinkedIn) (external link)

Nasir Ahmad Arian – Farmers Saffron

Importing high quality Afghan Saffron in bulk, packaging and distributing it in Canadian market.
- Website: farmerssaffron.com (external link)
- Facebook: Farmers Saffron (Facebook) (external link)
- Instagram: @farmerssaffron (external link)
- YouTube: Saffron TV (external link)

Nicole Dunphy – The Conscious Clean

Eco-conscious cleaning with a holistic and psychology-informed approach, creating calm, balanced spaces that support peace, clarity and everyday wellbeing.
- Website: theconsciousclean.ca (external link)
- Facebook: The Conscious Clean (Facebook) (external link)
- Instagram: @the.consciousclean (external link)

Paulina Kurek – Congraphix Design Solutions

Transforming trade skills into sought-after businesses through digital marketing.
- Website: congraphix.ca (external link)
- Instagram: @congraphixdesigns (external link)

Alya Saab – Cinnister Buns Inc.

Serving up dangerously good cinnamon buns, crafted locally by hand, and using only a short list of quality ingredients.
- Website: cinnisterbuns.ca (external link)
- Email: cinnisterbuns@gmail.com
- Facebook: Cinnister Buns (Facebook) (external link)
- Instagram: @cinnisterbuns (external link)

Saba Mushtaq – Zing Food Inc.

Zing crafts small batch sauces with natural ingredients, delivering flavour first and heat second. Zing transforms everyday meals into unforgettable dishes.
- Website: zingfood.ca (external link)
- Instagram: @zingfoodinc (external link)

Amandah Dawson – Healing Sol Therapy

A registered massage therapy clinic.
Website: healingsoltherapy.ca (external link)

Amir Fattal – Super Syrian Food

Authentic Syrian baked goods handcrafted in Oakville, offering mini pastries for cafés, catering, events, and community gatherings.
- Website: supersyrianfood.ca (external link)
- Email: hi@supersyrianfood.ca
- Facebook: Super Syrian Food (Facebook) (external link)
- Instagram: @supersyrianfood (external link)
- Linkedin: Super Syrian Food (LinkedIn) (external link)

Mentors for Starter Company Plus
Participants in the Halton Starter Company Plus program benefit from the expertise of local entrepreneurs who generously volunteer their time. Throughout the program, these mentors offer guidance, insights, and encouragement to help participants start and grow their businesses.
- AmyStockwell - BrightSparkz Tutors Canada (external link)
- DanielleMurray - Expert RN Lice Management (external link)
- Dorothy Bossé - Inspired by Choice (external link)
- Maryna Salagub - Good Fairy Art (external link)
- Yvonne Zhu
- Ramona Mathew - Spokes Autism Services (external link)
- Richard Gayle - Guiding Light Autism Servies (external link)
- Rosana Fernandez - The FlipSide Plan (external link)
- Tova Ralph - Reframe Family Yoga (external link)
- Trupti Sedani - Blue Pepper (external link)
- Jackie Santin - Northlight Divorce Consulting (external link)
- PK Mills - The Lonevity Path (external link)
- Sola Olubode - Crestlife Consulting (external link)

2026 Mentors for Starter Company Plus