There’s a new way for entrepreneurs to help get their new businesses going in Niagara Falls.

In October, the Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre and the city adopted an Ontario-wide program called Starter Company Plus, aimed to help entrepreneurs and new business owners get their businesses up and running.

Bryce Miller, one of the directors of the new program, said the goal is to help entrepreneurs or businesses less than two-years-old with ideas and teach them essential business skills.

“If you have an idea for a new business or are looking to expand an existing business that it less than two years old, Starter Company Plus can help put you on the path to success,” said Miller.

He said the program will provide the resources and knowledge entrepreneurs will need to start, grow or purchase their own business, through one-on-one guidance from an advisor with the Small Business Enterprise Centre, mentoring from local successful entrepreneurs, and access to business workshops on topics like writing business plans, budgeting and executing market campaigns.

Program participants will also be able to pitch their business idea for a chance to get a grant of as much as $5,000.

Miller says he’s hesitant to say it’s like Dragon’s Den, but it’s similar in the way that each member will have a chance to pitch their business proposals to the Enterprise Centre.

The first round of applications closed in October, said Miller, but the next chance to register will be in late December and will remain open for about a month.

The Starter Company Plus started this October and will run until March 2019. It is only available to people who are over the age of 18 and not attending school full-time.