I was reading Canadian Business Online and noticed the "Lessons from startup school" headline.

The Centre of Entrepreneurship (COE) at Centennial College in Toronto is opening up its entrepreneur school to everyone by launching the New Business Starter program: a condensed version with 18 hours of evening and weekend classes, as well as three months of mentoring, all for $495.

"The objective is to give you straightforward, practical know-how," says COE manager Phil Smith. "We're not going to turn you into a bookkeeper, but you'll understand an income statement."

13 years ago The Centre of Entrepreneurship (COE) at Centennial College in Toronto started the flagship Self-Employment Benefit program (SEB) program 13 years ago. The SEB is delivered by Service Canada which delivers the how-to course to help EI recipients launch a business. It is run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs and fields about 1,000 applicants each year, but only one in four gets in, based on their business idea and an interview.

Now with the launch of this program being made available to the public in the Toronto area you can get the basics-nuts-and-bolts information, guidance on developing a viable business plan and a bit of hand holding.

If you find yourself thinking about starting a business, located around the Toronto area and are looking for an easy way to get started with some support the COE program at Centennial College might be just the ticket.

If you are unemployed and have been thinking that self-employment is for you check out your local office of the Self-Employment Benefit program (SEB) delivered by Service Canada. There are programs delivered across Canada by an army of private organizations and educational institutions that deliver the course to more than 13,000 people each year.

Starting a Business resources from the Government of Canada