Seven Entrepreneurs Receive Starter Company Support
July 25, 2022Cornwall, Ontario – Seven entrepreneurs from Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry were recently awarded funding through the Starter Company PLUS program.
Starter Company PLUS is a training program for new entrepreneurs interested in start-up support. The 10-week program is funded by the Province of Ontario and administered by the Cornwall 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. Each participant is required to pitch their new business to a grant panel in order to qualify for the grant. There is a limited amount of grants available and the process is competitive. 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.
“We were fortunate to have been able to work with many dedicated entrepreneurs,” said Shauna Baggs, Business Consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “I have seen each new entrepreneur grow in knowledge and confidence throughout the program. It’s hard work to build a solid business plan and financial forecast, all while learning the aspects of owning a new business. It was a pleasure working with such a wide variety of business owners and I look forward to seeing them succeed in our community”.
The 2022 spring session turned out to be very competitive, with an initial enrollment of 35 entrepreneurs. Following weeks of hard work, those who successfully made it through the program submitted completed Business Plans and then pitched their businesses to a panel of judges, making their case for a grant of up to $4,500.
2022 Starter Company PLUS Recipients
The following are the recipients of the Spring 2021 Starter Company PLUS grant program:
- Katie Hope – Balloon Babes
- Sebastian Knox – Sebastian Knox Woodwinds
- Tom Manley – Tom’s Pantry
- Tammy Wells-Petryna – Healing Minds Counselling
- Yafa Goawily – Yafa Arts & Crafts
- Brandon Poirier – Poirier Photography
- Lee Mitchell – House of Fine Design
“The team at the Business Enterprise Centre was available to answer all my questions,” said Yafa Goawily, Yafa Arts & Crafts. “The support I received through the Starter Company Plus program has given me the confidence I needed to grow a successful business in a field that I love. I am very grateful for the experience!”
The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 124 businesses and awarded $581,000 in grants.
Next Intake
The application period for the next session of Starter Company PLUS will open August 1, 2022 and will close on August 24, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
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 x2276 or online at:
- Web: businessenterprisecentre.ca
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CornwallBiz
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CornwallBiz