Local Entrepreneurs Receive Starter Company Support
July 22, 2021Cornwall 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 – Desireable Expressions
- Joelle Roy – Chalinelle Erable
- Dinah Ener – Bath Intentions
- Isabelle Sabourin – I Sabourin Law
- 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 Desireable 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 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: