in 2025<\/a> for 10 spots, and another 10 are available in 2026, thanks to $50,000 in provincial grant funding, Minato said.<\/p>\n\u201cIt is a competitive process,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Business Enterprise Centre year-round offers free help with crafting business plans, marketing and other entrepreneurship questions, Minato said.<\/p>\n
Some other Ontario centres offering Starter Company Plus spots don\u2019t offer business plan help up front, she said.\u00a0\u201cWe do it before so that people can submit a stronger application.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Winning a Starter Company Plus spot offers multiple benefits, she said.\u00a0\u201cThe financial component is significant (but so is) the ability to meet with other small, growing businesses and learn from each and build that small business network.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program also can be a confidence booster once people see how their business plans stack up, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then there\u2019s the actual technical learning that we do bring in,\u201d she added. \u201cLocal experts in different subject areas for people just to build their knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program supports small business development, job creation, and local economic growth, a release said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEntrepreneurship plays an important role in building a resilient economy,\u201d said Matthew Slotwinski, chief executive of the economic partnership.<\/p>\n
\u201cStarter Company Plus provides practical support at important stages of business development and growth,\u201d said, adding:\u00a0\u201cThe program offers focused training, mentorship, financial assistance, and helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions to establish and pursue a strong path to succeed in Sarnia-Lambton.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Alison](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0207-so-summer-company.so_.jpg\")
Alison Minato with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership’s Business Enterprise Centre. (File photo)Article content<\/p>\n