Local Entrepreneurs Receive Starter Company Support
February 6, 2020Cornwall Ontario – Thirteen 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 seminars 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 2019 cohort turned out to be one of the most competitive to date, with an initial enrollment of 49 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.
2019 Starter Company PLUS Recipients
The following are the recipients of the 2019 Starter Company PLUS grant program:
- Jessica Boudeau – SPARK Synergy
- Arisbe Castellanos – Mi Cocina
- Julie Dennis – The Local Fill
- Brett Desrosiers – Miss D’s Creations/Workshops
- Myriam Gaudet – Red Cart Books
- Catherine Geurkink – Toe-tal FootCare
- Carson Killham – The Birchwood Cafe
- Courtney King – Organisée
- Lee Ladouceur – LadouceurPhoto
- Ashley Lepage – Seaway Valley Supply
- Sondra Moon – Relic Outfitters
- Troy Paquette – BRUNCH On Pitt
- Jesse St. John – Unmanned Aerial Solutions
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support I received from the team at the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre through the Starter Company Plus program,” said Jessica Bourdeau, HR Strategist & Workplace Synergist at SPARK Synergy. “The knowledge I gained throughout the seminar series and the start-up funds I received through the grant were absolutely essential to getting my business up and running successfully. Overall, a truly awesome experience!”
The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 90 businesses and awarded $440,000 in grants.
Next Intake
The application period for the next cohort of Starter Company PLUS will open March 9th, 2020 and will close on March 27th, 2020 at 4 pm. Click here for eligibility requirements and other general information on the program.
About the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre helps small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry & Akwesasne by offering information, tools and support during the start-up and growth stages of business operation. This includes administration of the Summer Company and Starter Company PLUS programs. The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is operated by Cornwall Economic Development and funded in part by the Government of Ontario.
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is located at 100 Water Street East (Cornwall Civic Complex) and can be contacted by phone at 613-930-2787 x 2276 or online at: