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

Starter Company PLUS - Next cohort will be Spring 2023

Helping you start, expand or purchase an early-stage business

Get the knowledge and guidance you need to confidently launch your business idea – and discover a community that can help make it happen.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13th 2022

The program will begin end of Oct. 2022.

The Starter Company Plus program provides entrepreneurs with free access to training and mentorship to help launch or grow their early-stage business.

The 2022 Starter Company PLUS Program is geared to start-up businesses that are pre-revenue and under three years in operation.

Participants will receive training and business skills development as well as mentorship from local business leaders and may be eligible for a grant of up to $5,000.

The Program consists of:

4 training days
3 Roundtable workshops with community experts
1 on 1 mentoring for 6 months

The program will help participants complete:

Business Lean Canvas
Marketing Plan for 1 year
Cash Flow for 2 years
Create company Policies and Procedures
Develop Sales Techniques

Who can apply: (this cohort has limited spaces)

Canadian Citizen, or permanent Ontario resident aged 18 or older
Businesses pre-revenue to under three years in operation
Available to complete business fundamental training and attend group mentoring sessions
Currently/or prepared to operate your business 35 hours a week
Available to attend mentor meetings for at least six months after the start of the business
Operating your business in the Kawartha Lakes area
Online business owners must reside in Kawartha Lakes
Not participating in any other government funded entrepreneurship training Programs, and/or not received funding from KLSBEC or other SBECs i.e. previous grant recipients from Starter Company Plus within the past 3 years.
A sole proprietorship/partnership or a corporation where the applicant holds the Majority share.
Able to make a contribution to your business in cash or in kind, equivalent to at least 25% of the grant amount (must provide proof)
Operates at arm’s length from family business ventures in Ontario
An independent business venture; non franchised, multi level marketing, single events, distributorship, not for profit nor pay per click
Fits the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed in FORM RC 4110
Maintains a separate business bank account, following government rules and regulations for operating a business.

Eligible activities for funding:

Looking for new ways to offer your services
Build or enhance your website
Buy equipment or machinery
Renovations to your building
Develop marketing material
Purchase POS system
Introduce new product lines
Hiring staff etc.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13th, 2022

The program starts Oct. 20th, 2022.

How to apply:

https://kawarthalakes.formbuilder.ca/2022-Starter-Company-PLUS-Fall-Cohort-Application

For further information contact:

Sandy Greenberg, Economic Development Officer - Small Business Programs

E-mail sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca

Summer Company 2022 - applications for 2022 are now closed

2022 Summer Company program.

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.

Participant Eligibility:

Example of eligible business:

Hand -made products
lawn care
Online tutoring etc.

These types of businesses are NOT eligible for funding:

partnerships/co-operatives, franchises and distributorships
incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be eligible for a Summer Company award
business ventures that are subsidiaries or divisions of an existing business or continuations of existing commercial endeavours
commissioned sales or multi-level marketing ventures
single events such as a theatrical production, a DJ gig, a music concert, a dance/party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.
businesses that are strictly pay per click or 1-900 businesses

Please Note:

Online businesses are acceptable with face-to-face marketing and selling activity
App/tech businesses must be market ready and generate sales by summer’s end
If your business requires certification, you’ll need to show proof to your Program Provider. If you’re unsure about certification obligations, ask your Program Provider. Certification examples include:
- Food handling certification for businesses that produce and/or sell food
- National Life Saving certification for businesses that offer swimming lessons
- Canada Professional Fitness Certification (CanFitPro) for businesses that offer personal fitness training
- Licences for businesses that specialize in drone photography

The Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Eligibility Application

Complete form: http://www.ontariocanada.com/screen/eligibility_questionaire.do?language=en

Step 2: Submit your application, together with your business plan and cashflow forecast to the program provider (online)

Take a look at the Summer Company Yearbook to see past businesses. Contact Sandy Greenberg Business Advisor to find out more @ sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca

PLEASE NOTE THAT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS MAY IMPACT THE TYPE OF BUSINESSES THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM.

Starter Company Plus: Small Business Recovery Grant Program - 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 full-time 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 7 businesses)

Canadian Citizen, or permanent Ontario resident aged 18 or older
Businesses must be in operation from 1-5 years 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
Operating your business in the Kawartha Lakes area
On-Line business owners must reside in Kawartha Lakes
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.
A sole proprietorship or a corporation where the applicant will be the majority shareholder
Operates at arm’s length from family business ventures in Ontario
Partnership where the applicant holds the Majority share; if 50/50 shared, only one partner may apply.
An independent business venture
Fits the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed in FORM RC 4110
Maintains a separate business bank account, following government rules and regulations for operating a business

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
Purchase POS system
Introduce new product line
Hiring staff

How to apply:

Fill out the eligibility form to enter. Note: this is the first step in the application process.
If you meet the eligibility requirements you will be invited to submit an application.
The deadline to submit an application is January 29, 2021. The program will begin in February 2021.

For further information contact:

Sandy Greenberg, Economic Development Officer - Small Business Programs

E-mail: sgreenberg@kawarthalakes.ca

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.

Futurpreneur 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.