PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The London Small Business Centre and LEDC, in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade are offering “Scale Up”, a program designed to assist growing food production and distribution businesses in London. Scale Up provides training and grants of $5000 to eligible participants who meet the requirements and successfully complete the program.
Eligible Participants must be:
- 18 years of age or older and not in full time education
- Operating an existing food production business (which is an independent business venture operating at arm’s length from family business ventures in Ontario)
- Operating a business which is registered as a sole proprietorship or Partnership or Corporation where the applicant will be the majority shareholder
- Operating their business on a full-time basis
Program Requirements:
- Submit an Application
- Receive an Invitation to attend the Proposal Writing seminar
- Submit a Proposal following the guidelines set out at the seminar
- Proposals are reviewed by Grant Review Committee, and participants whose proposals meet the criteria are invited into the program
- Sign a Participation Agreement committing to the terms of the program which include:
- Attendance at six Round Table Discussion sessions
- Submission of monthly reports outlining sales growth and key performance indicators as outlined in submitted proposals
- Submission of a Final Report summarizing overall quantitative and qualitative outcomes from the proposal
Grant Disbursements:
First Disbursement: Following Agreement Signing – Participant receives $3,500
Prior to initial disbursement of funds
- Participant shows business name registration and applicable licensing documents/permits to program provider for verification; provides S.I.N. number for tax purposes
- Participant signs Program Agreement which outlines responsibilities of the program and agrees to comply with the program requirements and allocate the funds substantially in accordance with the business proposal’s outline
Second Disbursement: $1,500 - Upon Completion of Program which requires
- Business continues to operate on a full-time basis
- Participation in Round Table Discussion Sessions
- Submission of monthly reports outlining sales growth and key performance indicators as outlined in submitted proposals
- Submission of a Final Report summarizing overall quantitative and qualitative outcomes from the proposal
Scale Up! grants are provided in conjunction with the Starter Company Plus program, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
