ABOUT US

30+ YEARS OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION
& START-UP SUPPORT

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business employees on computer and phone

Authorized Intermediary for Ontario & Federal Registries

Ontario Business Central is a government-authorized intermediary, bridging the gap between a DIY government filing and a law firm. We provide the technical accuracy required for 100% compliant business formations, backed by over three decades of corporate search and registration expertise.

The OBC Advantage at a Glance:

(TL;DR)
  • Government-Linked: Official Intermediary for the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) and authorized agent for Corporations Canada.
  • Human-in-the-Loop: In accordance with 2026 Ontario AI Governance standards, every filing is manually reviewed by a Canadian agent. This ensures that while our technology is fast, your legal compliance is never left to an unmonitored algorithm.
  • Data Sovereignty: We maintain a strictly 'Closed-Loop' data policy. Your corporate information is used only for your official filings and is never shared with or used to train external artificial intelligence models.
  • High-Volume Trust: Over 350,000 startups successfully launched and managed since our inception.
  • Award-Winning: Voted Best Business Registration Services via the Consumer Choice Award.

30+ years in businessSince 1992, Ontario Business Central has empowered entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into reality. Fueled by this passion, we've become an industry leader, providing the easiest and most transparent experience in Canada to register, incorporate, or make changes to an existing business - every step of the way.

About OBCIn the early days, we had an office on University Avenue in Toronto with signage on the street offering incorporation and registration services. This started as a simple idea to see if we could help those individuals looking to do a DIY startup where they were passing our building to head to the government office next door. Our primary business and focus historically had been to assist law firms and accounting firms do their corporate due diligence and civil litigation requirements as a corporate search house. We noticed people really wanted to set up their businesses with some support and guidance as more and more entered our office for assistance.

In 2002, we had the idea to create an online experience where people could take a few minutes at home or work to provide their details online to either incorporate or register their business. It took a year and a half to create the first website to bring this idea to light. It took a lot of effort, sweat, hair pulling and many late nights to bring the website to life. This was at a time when most people had dial-up connection to the internet and the Sears Catalog resided in most Canadian households.

In 2004 we finally launched the website. The first online order came in, this was a monumental moment for our business. If you can imagine, it was similar to the introduction of the Big Mac to McDonald's or the moon landing to the world in our minds.

Ontario Business Central has remained excited to support entrepreneurs and business owners to cultivate ideas and dreams into business reality since those early days.

We strongly believe in listening to our clients. We have listened to their confusion, criticism, and requests for additional services. We have always been all ears for feedback and have updated our website to bring the very best experience to our customers.

We have added new features to help you manage your business. This includes things like keeping your corporate information up to date (address changes, directors, names), filing annual returns, searching for businesses, making amendments or continuances, and getting domestic or foreign business licenses. We can even help with domain searches and registrations!

Engagement within the entrepreneurial community in Canada is fundamental to us. We participate in and attend trade shows and events specific to the entrepreneurial community and we are committed to supporting new and growing businesses in Canada. Everyday, we strive for a better online experience. We belong to several organizations including Better Business Bureau, Cira, and The Canadian Chamber of Commerce along with having designations with most corporate registry offices across Canada.

Sharing Knowledge Through Video & Audio

At Ontario Business Central, we believe in supporting entrepreneurs beyond registrations and incorporations. That's why we've built educational platforms to share insights, advice, and real stories from business owners across Canada.

YouTube Channel - Helping Entrepreneurs Since 2019

Launched in February 2019, our YouTube channel is dedicated to providing helpful, easy-to-understand videos covering everything from registering a business and incorporation, to business naming, taxes, and compliance. With hundreds of helpful videos, it's become a go-to resource for those starting or growing a business in Canada.

One of our most popular series, 'Taking the Leap', features real conversations with clients who started their business with us. They share their honest experiences—the challenges, wins, and what makes the journey into entrepreneurship truly rewarding.

Podcast - Made in Canada

In 2025, we launched our official podcast, Made in Canada, a series created to explore the entrepreneurial landscape in Canada through candid conversations and expert tips. Covering topics like side hustles, e-commerce, taxes, marketing, and everything in between, Made in Canada is designed to educate and inspire Canadian business owners at all stages.

You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major streaming platforms.

Government Partnerships

Ontario Business Central is proud to serve as a registered intermediary and trusted partner with multiple government agencies across Canada. Our long-standing relationships with these entities allow us to provide clients with fast, accurate, and fully compliant filings—whether at the provincial or federal level.

Ontario Business Registry (OBR) - Licensed Intermediary

Ontario Business Central was selected by the Province of Ontario to participate in beta testing for the Ontario Business Registry's intermediary system prior to its public launch. We continue to operate as a licensed intermediary, submitting filings and corporate transactions directly through the province's registry infrastructure on behalf of our clients.

Corporations Canada - Authorized Agent for Over 30 Years

For more than three decades, Ontario Business Central has been an authorized agent with Corporations Canada. We support clients with federal incorporations, NUANS name searches, and related filings through our direct connection with the federal registry. Access Corporations Canada NUANS Resources

Additional Provincial Access

We also maintain active accounts and long-standing relationships with the corporate registries in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. While these provinces do not currently offer third-party intermediary systems, our direct access and deep understanding of their filing processes ensure that our clients receive accurate and timely support. Our expertise is trusted by these government agencies, and we are proud to continue supporting Canadian entrepreneurs across multiple jurisdictions.

Accreditations and Awards

Ontario Business Central was honoured by being awarded with the Consumer Choice Award for Best Business Registration Services in Canada for the Toronto Central Region.

About Consumer Choice Award

Since 1987, the Consumer Choice Award has been committed to recognizing and celebrating business excellence across North America. Through a comprehensive and impartial selection process, the award honours top-rated service providers in their respective industries. To learn more, visit www.ccaward.com.

Our mission has always been to support entrepreneurs in Canada. In essence, we believe that our job fundamentally is to offer support for you to start and grow your business by offering encouragement, online tools such as articles and blogs and video resources to help you make your dream a reality. We believe in walking the walk in everything we do.

customers served
350,000+
Customers Served
30years
30+
Years in Business
200,000+ businesses started
200,000
New Businesses Started

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Get Step-by-Step Help

Not sure where or how to begin? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help you through the process and find the right service for you. Contact us today!

Since 1992, assisting hundreds of thousands of new business owners!

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  • email

Our Founder

Laura Harvey

Laura Harvey is the president of Ontario Business Central and stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial support and expertise, embodying the spirit and drive of the community she serves. As the proud owner of Ontario Business Central Inc., Laura's journey is one of dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial landscape in Canada.

With over three decades of experience as a corporate specialist coupled with over 25 years of entrepreneurial ventures, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role. Her expertise is not just theoretical; it's built on the real-life challenges and triumphs of navigating the business world. This unique blend of professional and personal experience positions Laura as a relatable and trusted guide for those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey.

Beyond her role at Ontario Business Central, Laura has extended her outreach through the innovative YouTube series "Taking the Leap." This platform allows her to connect with new business owners, offering them a stage to share their stories and insights. "Taking the Leap" is more than just a series; it's a community where aspiring entrepreneurs can find inspiration, learn from the experiences of others, and gain practical advice on crucial corporate tasks like registering a business, updating business information, understanding tax account intricacies, and much more.

Laura's contributions extend into the digital world through her in-depth blogs for Ontario Business Central. Here, she delves into topics essential for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to start, manage, and grow their ventures. Her writing is a reflection of her passion for supporting entrepreneurial advancement and a testament to her deep understanding of the corporate sphere.

Laura Harvey is not just an entrepreneur; she's a mentor, guide, and fellow traveler on the path of business ownership. She embodies the ethos of "walking the walk," providing both the tools and the encouragement for others to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Whether through her written words, her YouTube series, or her hands-on approach at Ontario Business Central Inc., Laura is dedicated to uplifting and assisting new and established business owners alike.

Recognized for her long-standing expertise, Laura has been featured in several respected publications for her insight into entrepreneurship, business formation, and support of Canadian business owners. She has contributed and provided her commentary to these articles.

Follow Laura on LinkedIn

What our clients say about us

Google Ratings - Ontario Business Central
D

donald wingell

stars
4 months ago

Totally Impressed with the service I received. The process was swift and registration completed in a few working days. No wonder the ratings are so high on Google. Keep up the great work.

Kelly White -Testimonials - Ontario Business Central

Kelly White

stars
7 months ago

It was very easy to renew my business license online. An agent followed up with me immediately by email when she noticed an address discrepancy on my application. It was easily resolved. Prompt, professional and friendly service.

G

Gazelle Ghajar

stars
6 months ago

Awesome company to work with. Website is easy to navigate into finding what you need, online forms are simple to fill in, and the request was processed and confirmed within the afternoon! Very impressed with their service and will be using again for my husband's business come January.