Small Business

Small businesses and entrepreneurs add a uniqueness to the fabric of our business communities.

Over half of the businesses in Peterborough & the Kawarthas are owner operated, with a wide range of offerings – from finance to food businesses, from manufacturing to the arts, from healthcare to agriculture and everything in-between.

Connect with us today

Madeleine Hurrell

Manager, Business Advisory Centre

Cell: 705-740-4314
Email Madeleine

Book a Virtual Meeting

Discover the Business Advisory Centre

The knowledgeable team at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is here to help start, grow, or acquire a business at every age and stage.

Visit the Business Advisory Centre

1 of 54

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is one of the 54 locations in the Province of Ontario’s Small Business Enterprise Centre Network.

Source: Ontario.ca

4,139 +

Through funding from the Ontario Government under the Ontario Together Fund initiative, Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario has served more than 4,139 businesses recovering from the effects of COVID-19.

Source: sbcontario.ca

Startup Community

We are a startup community

Peterborough is a designated Startup Community through the Startup Canada Communities Network.

Award Winning

Home to a number of award winning innovative startups.

36% of New Canadians own and operate a business

Peterborough has the highest rate of immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada. 36% of New Canadians in our region own and operate a business.

Find Support to Succeed

Support Networks

Our region has a robust support network for entrepreneurs with a number of Community Partners who offer a range of support including funding, mentorship, networking, training, and incubator space.

A Welcoming Region

Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a welcoming region that strives to see small businesses succeed.

Business Advisory Centre

Entrepreneurial-Minded Educational Institutions

Peterborough & the Kawarthas is educating the next generation of business owners. At our post-secondary institutions students are learning, analyzing, and finding 21st century solutions across a variety of sectors.

Trent University

Trent University’s School of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a number of specializations including Entrepreneurship.

Marketing & Entrepreneurship

Trent University also recently launched a Postgraduate Certificate Program in Marketing & Entrepreneurship which takes undergrads through an intensive 8 month program.

Fleming College

Fleming College has graduates in a number of disciplines, including skilled trades who pursue entrepreneurial career paths.