Starter Company Plus
What is the Starter Company Plus Program?
Starter Company Plus provides training, mentorship, and grant opportunities up to $5,000 for eligible participants to start, expand, or buy a small business. The program aims to address local and/or regional economic development needs, and where appropriate, focuses on specific industries and sectors.
The County of Huron, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, recognizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs of all ages through their journey into entrepreneurship and through business expansion. It is for this reason that the County of Huron and the Province of Ontario have invested in providing training, mentorship and monetary funds to local small business owners in the form of the Starter Company Plus program.
Enrollment for the 2025 program will be open for the month of July. The program will run from September to November 2025.”
Program Guidelines
View an overview of the Starter Company Plus program.
Program FAQ
This document provides responses to frequently asked questions to the Starter Company Plus program.
Meet Past Participants
Boundary Roasting Co.
Arend and Paige Haverkamp
With a grant from the Starter Company Plus program, Arend and Paige Haverkamp were able to spin their home roasted hobby coffee into more than just a daydream. Ethically sourced, locally roasted, Boundary Roasting Co. prides itself on providing incredible flavours.
“[Starter Company Plus] was very helpful and the ongoing support kept us on track. We learned how to build a business plan and understand our operational costs, profits, etc.…Plus, the coaches in the program were extremely encouraging and willing to dig in and provide support without judgement.”
HopeWell Counselling
Hannah Uyl
In the summer of 2023, Hannah Uyl saw an underserved opening in Huron County’s healthcare landscape and was able to help address it with the Starter Company Plus program. Offering a variety of counselling services including psychotherapy, faith-integrated counselling, and parenting consultations, HopeWell provides to a clear and constant demand in the community.
“There are moments where I felt so overwhelmed, but the [Starter Company Plus] program taught me how to keep brainstorming, pivoting, and coming up with new ideas so things could work…”
We R Strategic
Maureen Cole
A retired nurse and hospital administrator, Maureen Cole launched We R Strategic in 2023. Offering strategic planning, consulting and coaching services designed for non-profits and charities. Maureen is proud to provide for the backbone of many rural communities; their service clubs and charitable organizations.
“My advice to anyone thinking about starting or expanding a business would be to consult with the coaches at Huron County Economic Development. The team is always available to listen, help research the answer to questions or those bumps in the road you didn’t see coming, and help you navigate through them.”
Inherit the Earth Apparel
Pete Meades
Owned by Pete Meades, Inherit the Earth Apparel is an environmentally conscious running and recovery wear company. Pete and his wife Heidi are proud to be providing their community with sustainable, ecofriendly, and relevant fitness gear.
“Being a part of the [Starter Company Plus] program forced us to take a hard look at the areas of the business that we probably wouldn’t have examined. Creating a business plan, and the details that you have to sew together to make it concrete was super crucial.”