Starter Company Program

Starter Company LogoWatch this web page for Spring 2025 Starter Company Program launch.

The Starter Company Growth Program is an opportunity for entrepreneurs in Northumberland County looking to grow and expand a business that have been in operation for 6 months+.

The Starter Company Growth Program offers businesses growth development, training, advice, and mentoring.  Eligible approved applicants could receive a grant of up to $3,500. Completion of business training is mandatory to receive grant funds. Please see application for further training details.

This is a competitive process and not all applicants will receive grant funds, spaces are limited. Applications will be scored and evaluated based on the information provided, please be as detailed as you can.

Applicants must meet all requirements as listed below, please contact the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre if you have any questions.
Training is available and open to all applicants and those who are interested, regardless of eligibility.

Collage of photos from the Starter Company ProgramEligibility

  • A full-time business operating in Northumberland County, with regular monthly sales.
  • In operation for a minimum of 6 months+. 
  • Business is NOT a franchise, including those individually owned and operated, is NOT a not-for-profit/charitable organization.
  • Business is NOT a multi-level marketing business (also known as network marketing, direct selling, referral marketing, and pyramid selling) for sales.
  • Individuals are not eligible to apply if they have received any funds from the Business Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland in the past two years.

Program process and requirements

  • Friday, October 18, 2024 - Application opens 
  • Friday, November 22, 2024 - Application closes
  • Friday, December 6, 2024 - Successful recipients notified 
  • If approved, mandatory online and in-person training is scheduled for the following days:
    • Thursday, January 16 at 10am-11:30am, by Zoom. "Introduction, Networking & Business Growth" 
    • Thursday, January 30 at 10am-11:30am, by Zoom.  "Social Media Marketing"
    • Tuesday, February 4 at 9am-11:30am, In-Person. "Peer to Peer Connect"
    • Additional details and information to follow.

Application process

  1. Part 1 of the online form application will be available here on October 18.
  2. Part 2 will be a video/audio recorded interview sent following Part 1 Completion.