Starting a 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

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 continuous 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.

Contact us at by phone at: 705-324-9411 extension 1283 or E-Mail the Youth Program Coordinator for more information.

Starter Company Plus Grant Program - Starting Fall 2019

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 (705) 324-9411 ext. 1283 or fill out an application.

 

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 BUSINESSES

• 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 BUSINESSES

• 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 (705) 324-9411 ext. 1283 or email dsteven@kawarthalakes.ca or fill out the online application.

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.