Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:13/03/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I met with this organization talking about helping people to get business ***** from the government. They emailed me many times saying that they can help with process of getting *****s. I was ready to start my business and I approach them, I paid $575 to get into the system in order to get the help. There were a lot of emails saying, they can help. After payment, they send another request that I should pay another $250 without doing anything on the first payment. I am a single mom, I borrowed the money from *** with high interest every month.When they started coming up with a lot of misleading information, I requested for refund and he started insulting me that am ridiculous.I got to know later that, if you want to get the loan, you should have started the business already, but this company never told me this information in any way. They know I can not qualify for it, but he was playing games with me and saying, the policy cannot refund after misleading information. He told me to go and register my business, with all these I cannot be qualified.I am seeking for help because I borrowed the money and I have to pay back.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 14/03/2025

  Theses are some of the emails and he said BBB can not do anything about it.

  Business Response

  Date: 18/03/2025

  *****************************************

  Business Response

  Date: 18/03/2025

  *****************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:29/05/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This organization is a ****. As you sign up the organization promises you an expert to work with you to obtain the funding needed for the company. They only operate via email. There is this misterios person ***************************** who sends emails only and ** ** *** **** *******. Some random people answer the phones but the agent who answers the phone is never your assigned expert to your case. At the end no one calls nor replys emails . When you insist on calling Canada startups the people on the other side stop replying to phone calls .

  Business Response

  Date: 07/06/2024

  Customer is being handled via email and we are working together. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:18/03/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company is just a website and nothing more. There is no real service to or end result to be had from them.I spent $731.11 ($448.61 year membership, and another $282.50 for their "experts" to make me a business plan) and I've seen absolutely NOTHING for my money. The business plan their so-called experts made was solely from all of the information that I provided for them to compile in just a different way from what I have already done. I am greatly disappointed in the lack of actual real time functional service, and outcome that your business claims to provide. I understand that theyre in the business to make money, but providing an actual outcome for the client should be most important for the future of your business. Its easy to get a bunch of manufactured reviews and slap it on a website. Its also easy to have a bunch of pop-ups and bots on the website to make it look official. What I was looking for was RESULTS! With my last response to them on March 1st. after waiting eight days to hear back from their experts the only news I heard is that there are no programs for funding for my business. And then at the end of the email it sends you back to go through all of the pop-ups and links from before they just run around in a circle. After 11 MONTHS, Ive got absolutely nothing to resemble any kind of result! I am thoroughly disappointed in their business. They are supposed to specialize in government grants. After dealing with them for almost a year, * ** ** ******** ** *** **** ******** ***** ********** ******* ****** ** ******** ******** ** *** ***** Honestly, its been a complete waste of my time and very hard earned money.

  Business Response

  Date: 21/03/2024

  Hello there

  We are sorry to hear that you've had a negative experience with us.

  It is recommended to reach out to us directly for a resolution if this is the case. You may do so via ************************* for 24/7 support.

  Canada Startups does not use BBB and does not partake in response via the BBB system

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:16/01/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Writing to you several emails and explaining the services that I want to services our own Donor. We have our own Donors and need help reaching out to them. All of the Funding Database, Private Donor Database Donors have funding purposes that does not align with our mission, they are not answering us ******* **** **** **** **** *** *** ***** ** **** ** *** ********. Consider that your portal dashboard does not align with what I was looking for. I really do not need more funder, I was looking for services that can work with us to get us the services that we need to land this Deal with the Donors that we already have.
  Canada StartUp should have a satisfaction guarantee within 60 days of your purchase and we will refund our fee.
  **** ** *** ***** *** ******** ** ******** *********** *** *** ********* ****** ** ******* ****** ********** ******* ******* ****** **** *** ******** ** ****** *********** ******** * ****** *********** *** ******** ******* ****** ********** ****** ******** *** ********* ** ***************** ****** ***** ******** ******* ******* **** **** ****** ** ****************** ****** ******** ***** ***** ** ***** ************* ******** *** *********** ****** **** ** ********** ****** ****** ******* ***** ******* ******** ****** ******* *** ***** ********** ********* ****** ******* *** **** ****** **** ***** ******* ** ** ******* Justin. I tried to get other Donors at the community level rather than this Global donors. So please just refund me back ** **** *** ****** ******** money I used to buy this membership fee. I just want back my money for this membership fee. $561.61. It does not work for me and none of the funding database donor are replying to my emails and I did not fill out any application form because they can only be reached through emails *** *** **** **** ******* ** **** just return back my money ******* *** *** ***** ** *** *** ******* **** *** ** ***** ****** *** **** ****** ***** *** **** **** *** *** ********

  Business Response

  Date: 17/01/2023

  Thank you for your message. 

   

  If you have any concerns with regards to your membership, positive or negative, please communicate with the experts assigned to you.

  Canada Startups does not communicate via BBB.

   

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/12/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  They said that I was eligible for 163 grants for my business. When I signed up that you were to receive help for your business plan and that when it was finished that they would put you business plan into the grants that they said that you are eligible for. After signing up you find out that you do not receive any help with your business plan unless you pay extra. You do not get help with putting your plan into the eligible funds that they said you qualified for and they do not tell you who they are. I've asked them to call, but all you get is an email telling you to use online tools. There is no help what so ever and then they have no problem telling you that you didn't get things done in time to get any funding. Everything is extra money for any help/advice. This was a **** as far as I'm concerned. They do not help you, but have no problem taking $500 from you and say that they will help get you the funding you need to get your business going. When you are just starting a business the last thing you need is to put money where is gets you nothing. I truly believed that they would help me and I'm not one to get *******. This was a waste of money and you get nothing from it except -500 less in your bank account. I don't recommend this to anyone. What a waste!! Nowhere in their package explaining what they offer does it say anything about extra costs! It was a lot of misinformation. I called them out on it and of course I got no response

  Business Response

  Date: 06/12/2022

  Hello there

   

  Please note that you have a full membership to Canada Startups and see that you are actively working with an expert. 

   

  BBB is unable to help in this regard and no further replies via BBB will be responded to.

   

  The membership you have allows you access to all tools, resources and services and there are absolutely no additional costs to your membership. 

   

  You have the step by step guidance and support to develop your business plan, financials statements, *********, and to conduct on going funding searches to locate options for your business.

   

  In addition to this, you have access to experts 24/7 which I see you have utilized, available via the Ask an Expert program. 

   

  Our members come have different purposes as to why they use our platform and services. Members can be in different stages of business, but the guidance and support available ensures that all members get the help needed.

   

  You are assigned with an expert who follows up regularly to check in, to guide you, which I can see has been done. If you are not seeing the responses, please do follow up.

   

  In terms of funding options, funds are government provided and the funding database has over 1500 options listed. Guidance through them is available as well.

   

  Help is also available each step if the way through the business plan process, the financials, pitch and the search. There are no costs to these services. 

   

  There is absolutely no misinformation,  but perhaps a miscommunication of what is made available to you and how to benefit. As the platform is web based, you do need to use the online tools to get this help and guidance.

   

  At this time, this BBB complaint will be closed on our end but would love to have you communicated with your expert directly. 

   

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/12/2022

  The membership you have allows you access to all tools, resources and
  services and there are absolutely no additional costs to your
  membership.  They told me on the phone that you get your business plan done for you and then THEY send it after they review it.  Then I was told that I do my plan and someone takes it from there.  Then I was told that they just guide me and that's it and if I wanted it done I have to pay an extra 250+tax.  Nowhere does it say and no one ever said there was 1-extra costs whatsoever, 2- I was told professionals do this and put your plan into funding.  No one said that it was "just guided".  If this was made clear then I would have never have signed up for this.  I was told one thing and then it's not what was discussed.  (I have these calls recorded!)
  
  You have the step by step guidance and
  support to develop your business plan, financials statements, *********,
  and to conduct on going funding searches to locate options for your
  business.

  Wasn't told anything was step by step.  I was told that it was taken care
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:24/11/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  October 20, 2022
  Paid $419 CAD
  Purchased Business Startup Assistance.
  
  Excerpt directly from CanadaStartups.org:
  "CanadaStartups.org prides itself on providing a comprehensive product. Our small business tools and guidance are applicable to all business types and industries, it is up to you to customize them to suit your particular product/needs. We provide assistance with the tools and resources within the Startup Portal as well as advice or answers to your questions about how to start your business. We do not provide any assistance with regard to business planning and strategizing, and we do not directly offer any funding.
  
  That said, we are happy to help when we can, so please ask. We will gladly answer those questions for which we have answers, or direct you to whoever may be able to help. On top of that, we do offer our members what we call the "extra services" where we can help review your business plan, review your funding applications and answer any business-related questions.
  It takes 30 seconds to learn more about small business funding and if your small business in Canada may be eligible for government funding."
  
  I called in before I paid, and was told by David, that I could easily qualify for funding.
  Received; No business plan Review.
  Incorrect financial documents that were so wrong that had to be done from scratch by a 3rd party,
  and No Funders that I qualify for.
  
  Justin F******* is obviously doing half the job *** ******** ****** ******* when they bring it to his attention. The staff is not trained to give any support on the confusing dashboard.
  Ask an Expert, gave me No detailed information.
  
  At this point, I spent the money and got nothing but unprofessional confusion.
  There are numerous other businesses that might actually provide the service they charge you for.

  Business Response

  Date: 24/11/2022

  Hi there

   

  Unfortunately Canada Startups does not use BBB in order to engage, respond, or communicate with customers, or members.

   

  If you have a complaint about the service, an expert or the process, be sure to open a dispute, or seek a resolution with Canada Startups directly, or via your bank.

   

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 13/12/2022

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Your response to ignore my multiple complaints is the reason that other Consumers Deserve to know how Canada Startups does business.

  They don't. They take your money and give you a run around. BEWARE!

  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 13/12/2022

  Hi there

   

  BBB is unable to assist you with your complaint with your registration on CanadaStartups.org 

   

  Unfortunately no response will be provided here.

   

  Shall you wish to escalate, you may follow the steps as explained by your expert. 

   

  Thank you and good luck

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/10/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Honestly speaking, their service is ordinary. The info they can provide can also be found from other startup service/ government websites. The said they offer 24 hour services but it was just the BOT live 24 hours. If you want the result, you have to wait for 2, 3+ days. **** ***** **** ******** *** ****** ******** ***** ** *** *********** *** ********* **** * *********** **** ** ******** ****** *** ********* **** **** ********** * ******** ***** ******* *** *** **** ****** *** * **** ** ***** *** *** ** ******** But honestly, I like their graphic design.
  
  Overall, it is an ordinary service and I consider them as a supplementary support during my early startup days.
  
  I am deeply disappointed with them is the pricing. In the very beginning, they called me and emailed me and tried to get me as their customer. During our many times of talk, they said the fee was just $497+HST. And they said no other fees. But they didn't mention this is for just one year fee. **** ************* ***** *** **** **** **** ****** *** ***** ** *************** *** ************* ****** ** ***** **** * *** **** **** ** ******* **** **** **** **** ** **** **** **** **** *** ****** ***** For us as customer, this most important part of info is missed out during all of communications. That resulted in unnecessary financial loss, ** ********* **** *** *****. I
  
  I checked all the email, text messaging communications, they really just said it's a one time fee. ** * **** ***** ********** ********* ********** **** * *********** **** **** *** ********* ** *************** **** ****** *** ***** *** **** ** ***** ********** *** ********* ******* **** ****** *** **** *********** ** ******** **** ********** **** **** * **** **** * ****** *** ************* *** *** ***** **** **** ****** ********* * ***** ********* ***** ************* ****** ***** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 14/10/2022

  The customer paid for a 1 year membership, used the platform extensively, to build a business plan, 3 year financials, custom documents, a ********* and accessed the funding options.

   

  The customer showed satisfaction each step of the way, praising the experts and the work.

   

  Customer concluded the 1 year membership. 

   

  The customer asked to continue his member past the year, which was offered for $99+tax as a renewal fee. At which point the customer started to issue complaints of ****** ********* ***** *** *****

   

  The renewal option was revoked. 

   

  Canada Startups will not participate in any abusive communication with any customers or members.

   

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 14/10/2022

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

   

  1), The business complained me to use service a lot. That doesn't make sense. I can use the services whatever I want under the membership. So they should not judge on that; but honestly, I didn't use it overly too much, I only tried in the first few months but realized the quality of work was actually ordinary. But that are not the points of my complaint. My complaint is regarding the duration of the membership- not how much services I used/ ordered from them;
  

  2), again, when their sales team reached out to me they never told me this is just a one year membership; their communications on phones & emails never explicitly mentioned that; *** **** **** **** ****** *** ********** ********* **** ** **** ** ***** ** ***** ********** *** ********* 

  Please take a look at the two images of the contract and receipt they attached, I highlighted that in red line. You could not see any "one year" on those official document.
  

  3), CanadaStartup.org said *** **** ** ************* **** ********* ** **** that I will totally disagree. *********** * ******* **** ******* ***** ******* ******* ** * ********** *** *** **** *** **** ******** ********* They didn't send customer a fully disclosed information. **** ****** **** ** ************* * ***** ******** *** *** ***** ** **** *** *** *********** *** **** ****** ******** ** **** ******* ********  
  

   

   * ***** **** *** ** ** ******** **** ***** *********** ********** ********* *** ** ********** **** ***** ****** *** *** *********** *** **** *** ** ***** ********* I will fight for our right.
  

  
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******* **

  Business Response

  Date: 14/10/2022

  Hi there

   

  As mentioned, all memberships are for a period of 1 year. This is on our website, presented at the time of registration, visible in the terms and consitions, and is simply not feasable, business-wise to be longer then 1 year, considering the availability if experts 24/7.

   

  The membership is for a service. Not a product and life-time membership simply does not exist. 

   

  Your renewal was discounted from $497 to $99, and you chose to call Canad Startups a **** and *****, instead of attempting to politely discuss. 

   

  So, no, unfortunately we will not allow an extension. 

   

  Please note that promoting this via BBB is pointless. BBB is a private organization with absolutely no power, or ability to intereve, or to attempt to resolve anything for you.

   

  BBB is not supported by Canada Startups and strongly refuse any mention of it.

   

  This will be the last response via BBB.

   

  Good luck

  Customer Answer

  Date: 17/10/2022

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

   

  *** ***** **** *** ********* *** *** *** **** ********** *********** ** **** ********** The contract agreement, verbal and written communications all didn't include any clear information about the duration of the membership.

   

  You are afraid of people refuse to pay to become your customer if you tell them the fee is over $500 per year, ** *** ***** *** ** *** ************ ****** **** *** ************ ********

   

  *** ****** ****** ** *** *** ******* **** ********** ** ************ *** *** **** ** ******** *** ******** *** ******* * ***** ** **** **********
  

   

  We will post feedback on other platforms also.

   

  Good luck.

   

   

   

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******* **