December 7, 2021
By Bob Peters
Cornwall Ontario – Six entrepreneurs from Cornwall and the United Counties of SD&G were recently awarded funding through the Starter Company PLUS program.
Starter Company PLUS is an entrepreneurial 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 are continuously impressed working with such dedicated entrepreneurs,” said Adam Gibeau, Program Coordinator with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “It is incredibly hard work to create a business and marketing plan, and to figure out costs of products and services, all while taking webinars to learn the aspects of business that you may not be entirely familiar with. This fall cohort included 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 Fall 2021 cohort turned out to be very competitive, with an initial enrollment of 30 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.
Fall 2021 Starter Company PLUS Recipients
The following are the recipients of the Fall 2021 Starter Company PLUS grant program:
- Lost Villages Brewery – John Wright
- Bend & Snap – Chelsea Malyon
- Brunet Monuments – Penny Rudderham
- Fraser Creek Pizza Farm – Laura White
- Small Books – Kaylee McGillivray
- Sleeping Giant Athletics – Amanda Van Loenen
“The Starter company PLUS program has allowed us to view the business from an overall perspective, as well as details in bookkeeping, work/life balance, marketing and financial forecast.” Explains Laura White, co-owner of Fraser Creek Pizza Farm. “These webinars have afforded us the opportunity to create our business plan. We are so grateful to have this support from our community to sustain success for our community. “
The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 147 businesses and awarded over $560,000 in grants.
Next Intake
The application period for the next cohort of Starter Company PLUS will open in the Spring of 2022. Click here for eligibility requirements and other general information on the program.
