Nine New Recipients of Starter Company Plus Funding
December 6, 2024Cornwall, Ontario – The Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre is excited to announce the recent successful grant recipients of the popular Starter Company Plus program.
The Starter Company Plus program provides free hands-on training for new entrepreneurs interested in start-up support for their business. The 12-week program is open to Cornwall, SDG and Akwesasne residents in the spring and fall. Funding is provided by the Province of Ontario and administered by the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre (CBEC).
Participants receive assistance to start, grow, or buy a small business which includes training, mentoring and support provided by CBEC with help from local industry experts. A limited number of participants are invited to pitch their new business to a grant panel in order to qualify for the grant. Applicants with the highest scores are eligible for the grant, which can be spent on equipment, supplies, marketing and a number of other business growth initiatives.
“The Starter Company Plus program is a fantastic resource for local entrepreneurs,” says Shauna Baggs of the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre. “It’s inspiring to watch new business owners grow their ideas and gain confidence. We’re thrilled to support such a diverse group of entrepreneurs in Cornwall, SDG, and Akwesasne.”
The 2024 fall session was very competitive, with an initial enrollment of 50 entrepreneurs. Following weeks of hard work, only 13 participants were selected to pitch their business idea to the grant panel with eight participants receiving a grant of up to $5,000.
Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Starter Company PLUS Recipients:
- Beatrice Noel – Cornwall Connector
- Julianne Theoret – Ferme Theoneuve Farm
- Justin Poulet – Got it Maid Cleaning Services
- Katie Francis – Ethereal Evergreen
- Keshava & Bhima Archibald – Golokal Microgreens
- Kristopher Moore & Adam Lariviere – Parrot Tee Apparel
- Melissa Andre – Mend & Move Massage
- Nel-Kevin Junior Dubois – takeXo™
- Travis Nutbrown – Up in Smoke BBQ
The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 161 businesses and awarded $737,000 in grants.
Next Intake:
The application period for the next session of Starter Company PLUS will open January 22, 2025 and will close on February 28, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
About the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall SDG 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):