Starting a Business

We provide services for people who are thinking about starting a business, have decided to start a business and want to grow an existing business. Make an appointment with the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC) to learn more about self-employment, entrepreneurship and growing your business.

Are you thinking about starting a business?

If you are thinking about starting a business the KLSBEC has tools and resources to assist you. We can help you complete a business feasibility study and learn if becoming an entrepreneur is right for you.

You can also complete an online assessment to find out more about your potential as an entrepreneur.

Have you decided to start a business?

The KLSBEC can help with your business start-up by assisting you with:

business plan development
business guides
insurance, regulations and licensing
HST and taxes
market research
marketing
financial and cash flow development
referrals to professionals and business organizations

Do you want to grow your business?

We help businesses find funding, manage growth and overcome declining or plateaued sales. We can help you identify issues and plan for next steps. Some support services we offer include developing:

management plans
marketing and sales plans
revised business plans and models
business plans and models
hiring strategies

Entrepreneurship Programs

Summer Company

Create your own summer job with help from the Summer Company program.

You can get start-up money to kick-off a new summer business, along with advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get your business up and running. Eligible participants receive up to $1500 in start-up funds and business coaching from the KLSBEC Advisors throughout the summer. Students who complete the program and meet all of the requirements receive an additional $1500 when they return to school.

A limited number of spaces are available each year and the application process is competitive. Interested students are encouraged to visit the Summer Company website for additional information and to begin the application process.

Applicants Must Meet the Following Criteria:

Be between 15 and 29 years old, currently a student and returning to school in the fall (proof of enrollment required);
Propose a new business separate from any current family businesses;
Prepare a business plan that shows the business can successfully launch and operate this summer;
Invest 35 hours a week to operating the business for a minimum of 8 -12 consecutive weeks;
Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant residing in Ontario;
Agree to follow government rules and regulations for operating a business.

The Ontario Summer Company is administered by the Small Business Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth.

Starter Company Plus Grant Program

The Starter Company Plus program provides business training and grants up to $4,000 to entrepreneurs over the age of 18 who are not in school. This program offers a limited number of grants to applicants who meet the program requirements.

Starter Company Plus provides:

training and business skills development to help entrepreneurs prepare a Business Plan
advice and guidance from a Small Business Centre Advisor to assist launching/growing the business
if eligible, funds up to $5,000
experience running a business that may better position you to obtain more traditional financing, such as a bank loan

Application Eligibility Requires that You are:

over the age of 18 and not in full time education
operating an existing business for 2 years or less, proposing a new start-up business or purchasing an existing business
a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario
prepared to commit to a minimum average of 35 hours to run your business
not participating in any other government funded business training program currently or within the last 6 months
submit a complete and comprehensive business plan demonstrating the intended use of funds
maintain and provide appropriate monthly reports as required
attend monthly mentor sessions for 6 consecutive months upon receipt of grant

Futurpreneur Canada Loan Program

Futurpreneur Canada provides start-up funds and support to help young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 34 get their businesses off the ground. The program focuses on character instead of collateral when assessing eligibility for financial support.

Participants can get the financing they need to start their business and build their credit and may receive up to a total of $45,000 to launch their businesses.

Futurepreneur offers up to $15,000 in start-up financing and qualified applicants can receive up to twice the approved amount from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

The Futurpreneur Canada program provides mentorship, financing and post-launch services to position new entrepreneurs for long-term success.

Advisors at the Small Business Centre are available to help applicants prepare a business plan that meets the all criteria and guide them through the application process.

Make Your Pitch

Make your Pitch is an entrepreneurship contest that is exclusively for high school students.

Students pitch business ideas in a 2 minute video, submit it to the Make Your Pitch website and have friends, family, and peers vote!

Six winners will be awarded reserved entry into the Summer Company program.