Deadline Date: March 16, 2026
The Early Sparks Program is now accepting applications to support aspiring entrepreneurs in Waterloo Region by helping them refine business ideas, gain practical guidance, and build confidence to launch a new business.
The program focuses on exploring and refining business ideas, developing actionable business plans, gaining access to business resources and tools, building networks and relationships, and developing confidence and clarity in pursuing entrepreneurial goals.
This 5-week introductory program offers participants free hot desk access for three months, five hours of meeting room use, personalized one-on-one guidance from small business advisors, networking support within a dynamic community, and access to limited exclusive business resources. Participants will explore and refine their business ideas with expert guidance and peer support, create a roadmap to turn their vision into a tangible business plan, learn practical steps to move from concept to execution, build valuable business relationships, and develop the confidence and clarity to pursue their entrepreneurial goals.
Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of Waterloo Region, not registered business owners in Ontario, proposing a new idea or expansion of an existing idea, and prepared to complete all program components, attend weekly meetings for five weeks, and commit an average of eight hours per week working on their idea.
For more information, visit Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.
