Start or grow a small 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 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

Do you want to grow your tech business?

If you are thinking about growing your tech business, The City of Kawartha Lakes and the Innovation Cluster have partnered to open a full-service incubator in Lindsay to assist you.

The Innovation Cluster has the expertise and resources to help support your business growth by providing access to workshops, resources, knowledge partners, funding and investment opportunities.

To learn more about the incubation program, visit http://www.innovationcluster.ca/programs/the-cube/

This project is funded by the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (KLCFDC) through the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario (RIIEO), a project funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Entrepreneurship Programs

Summer Company 2020

2020 Summer Company program intake is now closed.

Are you a student looking to start a summer business? The Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC) is a provider of the Government of Ontario’s Summer Company Program. This is a great chance to develop your entrepreneurial skills and make money at the same time.

If you are between 15 and 29 years of age and going back to school in the fall you can be eligible to receive hands-on mentoring AND up to $3,000 towards your business! Learn more about our Summer Company Program.

Take a look at the Summer Company Yearbook to see past businesses. Contact the KLSBEC at: 705-324-9411 extension 1283 or E-Mail the Youth Program Coordinator for more information.

Starter Company Plus Grant Program - Now Closed

Starter Company PLUS is a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and existing business owners who are ready to start (market ready/ready to sell) to expand (hiring employees, contractors or getting a location) or buying a business in Kawartha Lakes.

The program has 3 mandatory training days over 2 weeks (9:00am – 3:00pm) covering Business Concept, Organization, Operations and Customer Relations.

The program provides:

In Class Training - a community of entrepreneurs and mentorship from local business (advisors) to help get your business up and running.
The chance to receive up to $4,000 in seed funding to kick off a new business or expand your current business.
The experience of running a successful business that may help you obtain more traditional financing such as a bank loan if you so require in the future.

There will be a number of cohorts throughout the year with the first cohort starting October 2019. Upon completion of training, participants may apply for the seed funding. If awarded seed funding, disbursement is in 2 payments and there are mandatory requirements to stay in the program and milestones for the final disbursement.

Program Grant
Once accepted as a participant in the program, you may have the opportunity to apply for the program grant. There is a separate application process for the program grant which is available to program participants after completion of mandatory training and mentoring sessions. Further details of the grant application process will be provided to the program participants in the training seminars during the program.

Connect with Diane Steven, Business Advisor to find out more by calling (705) 324-9411 ext. 1283.

This is a competitive process and space is limited.

**Please note: All program participants will receive business training, however, not all will receive the seed funding.

Eligibility Criteria

18 years of age or older.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Kawartha Lakes (proof required).
Not currently enrolled in full-time education or employed full time.
You need to be proposing a new business that is market ready/ready to sell, currently running a business, expanding or buying a business in Kawartha Lakes.
If an existing business, been operating 3 years or less.
Prepared to commit to a minimum average of 35 hours per week to run your business.
Prepared to complete the mandatory Business Training Program.
Prepared to attend 6 mandatory mentor meetings.
Not participating in any other Government Funded Entrepreneurship Training Programs, and/or have not received funding from KLSBEC or other SBEC (Small Business Enterprise Centre) (i.e. grant recipients from Starter Company Plus, Second Start, Summer Company) previously.
Can provide proof of equity in the business ($1,000).

Eligible Business

A sole proprietorship or a corporation where the applicant will be the majority shareholder
An independent business venture
Scalable and innovative business
Partnership where the applicant holds the Majority share; if 50/50 shared, only one partner may apply.
Fits the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed in FORM RC 4110
Operates at arm’s length from family business ventures in Ontario
A business that operates full-time as defined in the business plan and maintains its own books and records
Maintains a separate business bank account, following government rules and regulations for operating a business

Non Eligible Business

Franchises, commissioned sales and distributorships
Business ventures that are continuations of existing commercial endeavours
Not-for-profit, social enterprise, co-operatives or charitable enterprises
Multi-level marketing ventures
Single event such as musical ventures bands, DJs or dance/party event organizations
Businesses that are strictly pay per click and 1-900 number businesses or subscription models.

This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Connect with Diane Steven, Business Advisor to find out more by calling (705) 324-9411 ext. 1283 or e-mailing: dsteven@kawarthalakes.ca.

Starter Company Plus - Small Business Recovery Grant Program - Now Closed

KLSBEC is here to support you through business enhancement, expansion, or adaptation as a result of COVID-19.

If your business has been affected by COVID-19 and experiencing a loss in revenue, KLSBEC has shifted the focus of the Starter Company Plus program to support businesses negatively affected by COVID-19.

Starter Company PLUS - Small Business Recovery Grant Program

The program supports newer small businesses that have been in operation for one to five years and find themselves with unexpected challenges. These challenges could be expenses related to physical changes or operational changes. The program's goal is to help businesses adopt new tools, increase their online presence and implement new business strategies. Grants of up to $4,000 will be awarded to eligible applicants to help offset costs associated with this transition.

Who Can Apply: (this cohort is limited to 6 businesses)

Canadian Citizen, or permanent Ontario resident aged 18 or older
Businesses must be in operation for minimum 12 months and generating revenue
Demonstrate a reduction in revenue for the equivalent month in the previous year
Prepared to complete business fundamental training and attend group mentoring sessions
Currently operating your business 35 hours a week
Prepared to attend mentor meetings for at least six months after the start of the business
Not previously participated in Starter Company PLUS or receiving funding from Feturpreneur

Eligible Activities for Funding:

Looking for new ways to offer your services
Build or enhance your website
Install outdoor kiosk
Buy equipment or machinery
Restock inventory
Renovations to your building
Adjustments to physical workplace
Develop marketing material
Expand product lines
Purchase POS system
Introduce new product line
Hiring staff

Applications are now closed.

Another application intake will reopen in January 2021.

For further information contact:

Sandy Greenberg, Economic Development Officer - Small Business Programs

(705) 928-4431 or e-mail sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca.

Women's Entrepreneurship Program - Accepting Applications

Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is partnering in the delivery of this new regional program designed to support entrepreneurial women working towards starting a new full-time business in our community.

The Women's Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) offers entrepreneurial women virtual & in-person business support to help start a new business including online training, webinars and business planning.

What's offered:

Access to a community of female entrepreneurs igniting their passions
Virtual and face-to-face business planning, mentorship, and seminars/webinars
Virtual collaboration among all program members
Online resources to assist you in starting, maintaining and growing a successful business.

Program eligibility:

Must be a female entrepreneur 18 yrs +
Planning to start a new full-time (30+ hours per week) business or in operation for less than 4 months
Sole proprietorship or partnership structure.

How to Join:

There is no financial commitment (it's free) to join!
If you are interested in the program and would like more information please visit this page, and complete the Client Introduction Form or contact the Program Coordinator directly.

For further information contact:

Diane Steven, Business Advisor

Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre

(705) 324-9411 ext. 1283 or e-mail dsteven@kawarthalakes.ca.

For more details, visit Women's Entrepreneurship Program website.

Ontario East Economic Development and Government of Canada logos

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.