By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – Nine entrepreneurs from Cornwall and the United Counties of SD&G were recently awarded funding through the Starter Company PLUS program.

Starter Company PLUS is a business program funded by the Province of Ontario and administered by the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. It provides applicants with assistance to start, grow, or buy a small business. Assistance includes training and mentoring by way of 1-on-1 coaching sessions and seminars hosted by industry experts. Successful applicants are eligible to receive a grant of up to $4,500, which can be spent on equipment, supplies, marketing and a number of other business growth initiatives.

“We were fortunate to have been able to work with very dedicated entrepreneurs,” said Candy Pollard, Business Consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “It is hard work to build a solid business and marketing plan and to cost out products and services, all while taking webinars to learn the aspects of business that you may not be familiar with. This cohort involved a lot of really strong business ideas, backed by entrepreneurs with a willingness to put in the effort required. We are very excited to see them all grow over the next few years.”

The 2021 cohort turned out to be very competitive, with an initial enrollment of 29 entrepreneurs. Following months of hard work, those who successfully made it through the program submitted completed Business Plans and Financial Forecast documents, and then pitched their businesses to a panel of judges, making their case for a grant of up to $4,500.

2021 Starter Company PLUS Recipients

The following are the recipients of the Spring 2021 Starter Company PLUS grant program:

  • Drewe Leduc – Desirable Expressions
  • Joelle Roy – Chalinelle Erable
  • Dinah Ener – Bathintentions
  • Isabelle Sabourin – I Sabourin Law Office
  • Andre Grandmaison – Greenlock Microgreens
  • Kyle Thompson – Nature’s Metal
  • Meagan McRae – Mindful Feet
  • Katherine McDonald – Your Healthy Beginning
  • Emily Restoule – Bud’s Records

“I am very grateful for the support from the team at the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre throughout this program,” said Drewe Leduc owner of Desirable Expressions.  “I gained so much knowledge through the webinars, knowledge that I would not have been able to find on my own.  The grant funds are great to receive, but it really is the support from the Enterprise Centre staff that has been most valuable.”

The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 117 businesses and awarded $537,000 in grants.

Next Intake

The application period for the next cohort of Starter Company PLUS will open August 17, 2021 and will close on August 31, 2021 at 4 pmClick here for eligibility requirements and other general information on the program.