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Seven Entrepreneurs Receive Starter Company Support

July 18, 2023
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre spring session of the popular Starter Company Plus program is pleased to announce seven successful grant recipients.

Starter Company Plus Cornwall

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 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 has proven to be an excellent resource for local entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their business,” said Shauna Baggs, Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “It is always a pleasure to witness new entrepreneurs build on their business idea and develop confidence throughout the program. Working with such a wide variety of business owners across Cornwall, SDG and Akwesasne is very rewarding and I look forward to seeing all participating businesses succeed”.

Spring 2023 Starter Company PLUS Recipients

The 2023 spring session was very competitive, with an initial enrollment of 42 entrepreneurs. Following weeks of hard work, 12 participants were selected to pitch their business idea to the grant panel with seven participants receiving the grant up to $4,500.

Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Starter Company PLUS Recipients:

  • John Evrall – Evrall Doors
  • Justine Fraser – Glengarry Pet Rehab
  • Melissa Vaz – Medusa Footcare
  • Melissa Murphy – Relove Dress
  • Humairah Abowath – The Sourdough Loaf and More
  • Stacey Case – Cornwall Stamp Co.
  • Casandra Forget – All Intentions Matter

The Starter Company PLUS program has been offered through the Business Enterprise Centre since late 2013. To date, the program has assisted 139 businesses and awarded $634,000 in grants.

Next Intake

The application period for the next session of Starter Company PLUS will open August 1st, 2023 and will close on August 31st, 2023 at 4:00 pm. Click below 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 x2276 or online at:

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