NOTICE: Applications will open for Starter Company Plus in Summer of 2025, please subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about when the program intake opens and for IDEA Mississauga’s additional supports for entrepreneurs.
Starter Company PLUS Program
Grant of up to $5,000
The Starter Company PLUS program assists people 18 years and over who are interested in starting, expanding or purchasing a business in Mississauga.
The Starter Company PLUS Program is delivered by the Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre (MBEC) for the Mississauga area. The Program is funded by the Province of Ontario and is delivered by Small Business Entrepreneur Centres (“SBECs”) similar to MBEC across Ontario. If you are interested in starting, expanding or purchasing a business outside of the city of Mississauga, please refer to the list of Small Business Entrepreneur Centres and Community-Based Provider Locations in Ontario.
To apply to the Starter Company PLUS Program in Mississauga, you must confirm your eligibility to participate in the program and attend a mandatory information session. Attendance at the information session does not guarantee acceptance into the program or the receipt of a program grant.
Services offered by the Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre are available in French upon request for programs funded by the Province of Ontario. (Les services Le Centre d’encadrement des entrepreneurs de Mississauga sont disponible en Français sur demande pour les programmes financés par la province de l’Ontario. L’informations sur l’entreprise en démarrage plus est disponible en français ICI)
What does the Starter Company PLUS Program offer?
The program provides:
- Free training and business skills development
- Free mentorship and guidance
- Opportunity to apply for a program grant of up to $5,000 after the completion of mandatory training and mentorship.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
We have identified and answered the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
To be eligible for the Starter Company PLUS Program in Mississauga, the program applicant must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Be a resident of Ontario
- Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Not attending school full time nor returning to school
- Be proposing starting a new business, expanding an existing business or buying a business in Mississauga
- Be prepared to commit a minimum of 35 hours a week to running a full-time business
- Be prepared to attend scheduled mandatory training and mentorship meetings as per program schedule
- Not enrolled in other comparable provincial employment or self-employment related initiatives and programs that include or do not include financial assistance
- Not currently enrolled concurrently in any comparable self-employment or entrepreneurship training/financing initiatives and programs offered by government funded organizations
- Not have received a Starter Company Program or Starter Company Plus Program grant in the past
- If there are two or more partners in the business, the partner who is applying to the program must confirm a minimum of 51% ownership of the business to participate in the program and would be responsible to apply for the program grant
- Provide proof of 25% contribution of the potential program grant (up to $1250). Contributions can be in cash or in-kind contributions as approved by MBEC.
TO BE ELIGIBLE, A BUSINESS OR PROPOSED BUSINESS MUST:
- Be an independent business venture based in Mississauga
- Not be a business that relies on commissioned sales
- Be a legal business in Ontario
- Not be a franchise
- Operate at arm’s length from family business ventures
- Operate full-time as defined in the business plan
- Maintain its own books and records
- Have a Master Business License or Articles of Incorporation, or plan to register the business
- Maintain a separate bank account
- Follow all government rules and regulations and applicable by-laws for the operation of the business
- Demonstrate a viable and sales ready business plan at the time of funding application
Before you can apply to Mississauga’s Starter Company PLUS program, you must attend a mandatory Starter Company PLUS info session.
This information session will provide you with important information about the Starter Company PLUS program in Mississauga including:
- Eligibility requirements
- Program requirements and expectations
- Program training and mentorship, and schedule
- Information about the program grant opportunity
Please sign up for our e-newsletter to be informed when the Starter Company Plus mandatory information sessions become available.
MEET THE 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS
eL8 Consulting
Harsh Raja
eL8 Consulting, tackles leadership challenges with tailored, metrics-driven strategies aligned to an organization’s culture and goals. By directly linking leadership development to business outcomes, they transform talent into a measurable driver of growth, ensuring impactful, results-oriented leadership.
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AV Skin & Scalp Spa
Alexandra Sanchez
At AV Skin & Scalp Spa, we specialize in holistic skincare and scalp treatments designed to help you look and feel your best. Alexandra has recently expanded her operation into a new location. The Starter Company Plus program gave her the tools to take her business to the next level.
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biiiz.cards
Amir Zad
biiiz.cards is a digital business card platform that helps businesses, content creators, and entrepreneurs showcase their offerings, social links, and contact information in one customizable page. It combines the functionality of traditional business cards with modern tools like link-in-bio platforms, making it easier for users to connect, network, and grow their audience both locally and globally.
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Dgytal
Chidinma Akaniro
Dgytal provides digital solutions to help businesses create impactful online presence. They build high-performance websites and e-commerce stores that drive growth and conversion for small businesses in Mississauga and beyond. Chidinma believes that flexibility is key, entrepreneurs tend to have great plans but the world and the market ultimately dictates what is valued by customers and what they are willing to pay for.
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Cdata Consulting
Nitin Jain
Cdata Consulting Inc. specializes in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and data engineering services. They help businesses harness the power of their data to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and drive growth. Their solutions include AI strategy development, machine learning implementation, data platform engineering, and business intelligence dashboards. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and 15 years in the tech industry, he was inspired to start this business.
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Showstoppers Garage
Saudia Hack
Showstoppers Garage is a car detailing studio specializing in ceramic coatings and tints, providing professional services for fine vehicles. Service offerings include multi-tiered maintenance packages, interior and exterior shampoo and sealant applications, ceramic and glass coatings, PPF and window tinting. The program helped Saudia solidify her budget/cash flow and business plan, and she believed that the mentorship aspect was invaluable.
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Elsewhere Tours
Khaula Siddique
Elsewhere Soul Tours is a tour group for women who want to go places but don’t have anyone to go with or have a way to get there. There are a lot of places women don’t even know about and miss out on. For women in the Muslim community having halal food options and hijab friendly spaces is often a big issue. Elsewhere Soul Tours offers fun trips with likeminded women, and takes into consideration different issues that are barriers to safe travel. The grant has made it possible for Khaula to get her website underway, market and research trips and push Elsewhere Soul Tours forward.
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Talent Samurai
Mehdi Rahman
Talent Samurai is redefining Human Resources Technology, emerging as a strong competitor to industry giants. Our platform simplifies every aspect of HR management, from legal compliance and payroll to employment law, policies, company culture, and employee engagement. We empower managers to become inspirational leaders, making real-time, informed decisions that create dynamic and engaging team experiences, ultimately driving business success.
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Clickworthy
Kumar Tanwar
Clickworthy helps small and mid-sized businesses grow faster. They turn their websites into growth engines through an SEO-focused digital marketing strategy. They offer Local and National SEO and PPC services, and build and optimize WordPress and Shopify websites. For Kumar the program offered structure and mentoring, helping him think through his plans and prepare for the next stage. With the resources, learning opportunities, and connections he has made at IDEA Mississauga, he is confident Clickworthy will reach new heights sooner than expected.
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Tea Time Therapy
Thisanya Natkunanathan
Tea Time Therapy, provides compassionate, client-centered therapy for individuals facing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Thisanya’s approach is particularly focused on serving the South Asian community, creating a safe and nurturing space where clients feel heard, seen, and valued. They offer a judgment-free environment where clients can work through their struggles and achieve their goals for healing and growth.
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Drop Thought Kids
Kim Gillingham
Drop Thought Kids helps children ages 5-13 build confidence and critical thinking skills in today’s tech-driven world. They offer hands-on workshops focused on Science, STEM, and Art, and are launching Critical Thinking Conversation Cards to inspire meaningful, tech-free conversations at home or on the go. After teaching science for 20+ years, Kim noticed kids becoming hesitant to think and share ideas. With pressure to be “right,” over-reliance on technology, and less unstructured play, confidence was fading. When her daughter reached school age, she realized how important it was for her to trust her mind, respect diversity, and make informed decisions. Kim believes teaching critical thinking and building confidence is key to helping children thrive in a world influenced by AI.
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Jacquie Blondin Ceramics
Jacquie Blondin
Jacquie Blondin Ceramics empowers clay enthusiasts with creative solutions through ceramics and education. Their ceramic product lines provide collectors with uniquely designed handcrafted housewares. Jacquie provides virtual and in-person learning experiences into the world of craft, designed for adults from beginner to intermediate levels. Whether you are looking for 1:1 lessons, group sessions or independent learning, you will find a warm community here. The Spin Wiper pottery glazing tool that she designed, helps potters achieve a parallel glaze line as they prepare work for kiln firings, saving them time and money.
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Haami Lingerie
Faria Jafri
For far too long, the lingerie industry has ignored the needs of most breast owners. At Haami, they are working to revolutionize the bra by getting rid of it and building a new, sustainable and structurally supportive lingerie for those who are left on the margins of the bra world. Haami Bras’ patentable technology is specifically designed to address the biggest pain points faced by plus-size women seeking comfortable and functional bras. Haami’s technology is a combination of design and utility that adjusts to the user’s body. They have developed a bra that is wireless, strapless, and cupless.
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Sing Music Studio
Mandi Galer
Sing Music Studio is a community-driven, performance-based music school focused on inspiring creativity and building confidence through music. Their values-driven approach not only helps students develop musical skills but also fosters personal growth. Sing Music is about more than music—they are about building better humans through self-expression, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
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Solaiman’s Support Services
Fauzia Reza
Solaiman’s Support Services specializes in providing personalized nutritional consultations and compassionate personal support for individuals with developmental disabilities. They also offer dedicated companionship care services to enhance the well-being of seniors. The inspiration for this business came from Fauzia’s son, Solaiman, who has significant autism. Through Solaiman’s Support Services, she now combines her expertise and personal journey to provide customized support for families facing similar challenges.
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Stylefinds
Dominique Davis
STYLEFINDS is a modest womenswear brand catering to the modern, modest woman who isn’t afraid to be different and stand out in her daily fashion. They specialize in custom garments that reflect individuality while honoring modesty. Later this year, Dominique will launch her first ready-to-wear collection, taking colorfully vibrant designs to a mass audience. For Dominique the funding was critical to help STYLEFINDS reach the next stage of growth, which is not always easy for a small business just starting out. Beyond the finance, the mentorship and resources from trusted business professionals has been beneficial in shaping her path forward.
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TESTIMONIALS
“At a pivotal moment, this program reignited my confidence. It provided strategic guidance, new marketing and sales approaches, and valuable collaborations. Beyond business insights, it reshaped my mindset, reinforcing resilience and adaptability. The mentorship and community support were instrumental in refining eL8 Consulting’s direction and growth.”
Harsh
“The Starter Company Plus (SCP) program helped Dgytal in many ways. Our biggest win was that the amazing mentors that guided us to refocus our service offerings to something more sustainable. Our client base and revenue shot up once we pivoted. The $5,000 grant helped us invest in critical software subscriptions we needed to run the business.”
Chidinma
“The Mississauga Starter Company Plus program was instrumental in helping me build a solid foundation for Tea Time Therapy. It provided me with valuable resources, mentorship, and funding to help get the business off the ground. The guidance and support from the program helped me refine my business strategy, and I’m incredibly grateful for the connections I made during the process.”
Thisanya
“The Mississauga Starter Company Plus program was a game-changer for me! It gave me confidence and the knowledge to truly go for it! The support I received from fellow enterpreneurs, leaders, guest speakers, and mentors, was invaluable.”
Kim
PROVIDER
Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre (MBEC)
The Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre (MBEC) is your central source for small business information, resources and guidance. Whether you are starting or growing a small business, MBEC can help.