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New Intake for Starter Company PLUS Program

August 18, 2021
By Bob Peters

Cornwall, Ontario – The Starter Company PLUS program is once again open for applications.

Starter Company Plus Cornwall

The Starter Company PLUS program is open to residents of Cornwall, Akwesasne, and SD&G who are 18 years of age and older. The program offers successful applicants unparalleled assistance to start, grow or purchase an existing small business. This assistance comes in the form of training webinars, business skills development, mentoring from local business leaders and ultimately potential access to capital.

The application period will close on August 31st, 2021 at 4:00 pm.

“Training is the core of the Starter Company PLUS program,” said Adam Gibeau, Program Coordinator with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “Centre staff will work with participants to help them develop the skills needed to launch and sustain a successful business. Participants are also eligible to apply for a grant of up to $4,500”.

For details on the Starter Company PLUS program, and to access the on-line application, entrepreneurs should visit the CBEC website. CBEC staff will work with approved entrepreneurs to create a learning plan, schedule necessary training, and ultimately create a business plan, start-up budget and a 2-year financial forecast.

Eligible entrepreneurs include those starting their own business, purchasing an existing business, or expanding their already existing business. In order for a business expansion to be eligible for a grant, concrete changes and growth goals must be established – ideally including the hiring of staff. Once training is complete, the applicant is eligible to apply for funding of up to $4,500. No funding will be provided to the participants during the training module.

“The Starter Company PLUS program has seen a great deal of success over the past several years,” said Candy Pollard, Business Consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre.  “We are proud to say that many of our program and grant recipients have built very successful businesses, with several growing to the point of hiring additional staff.”

The Starter Company program was launched in 2014 to support younger entrepreneurs and then re-launched in 2017 as Starter Company PLUS. Since inception, the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre has worked with over 200 participants and has helped to distribute $510,000 via 110 micro-financing grants to local entrepreneurs.

Quick Facts

  • Entrepreneurs in Cornwall, SD&G and Akwesasne, can apply to the Starter Company PLUS program by submitting a program application to the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre.
  • To apply, participants must be a resident of Cornwall, Akwesasne or SD&G, 18 years of age or older, and no longer attending school.
  • Successful applicants may receive up to a $4,500 grant to help launch/purchase/expand their business.
  • Applications open August 17th, 2021 and close August 31st, 2021 at 4:00 pm ET.
  • Click here for more details on the Starter Company Plus program and for the Application Form.

About the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre has been operated by the City of Cornwall since 1997 and is funded in part by the Government of Ontario. The centre provides information and support to entrepreneurs during start‐up and growth stages of business operation. Webinars, workshops and special events are held throughout the year, on topics of interest to various types of businesses. The Centre also administers the popular Summer Company program for student entrepreneurs and the highly successful Starter Company PLUS program.

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 ext 2276 or online at:

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