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Seven local small businesses receive grants through Starter Company Plus program

By Christine Drage
group of local entrepreneurs standing in a line with Starter Company Plus certificates

[PETERBOROUGH, ON, July 2022]: Today, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) awarded seven local small businesses $5000 each in funding to further support sustainable business growth.  The funding is made possible through the Government of Ontario’s Starter Company Plus program. 

Twelve small businesses successfully completed the five-week online business training course offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC). Based on the strength of their business plan and business pitch, the following businesses were each awarded a micro-grant: 

Voula Halliday holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About Flavour Fix Co.

Flavourful additions, including sprinkles, smears, slathers, dollops and spreads to transform your meals. 

Matt Anderson holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About Chemong City Greens

Organic micro-green grower and harvester; selling to restaurants and home consumers.  

Graphic of Jessica Blair holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About Follow Me Photography

Therapeutic photography service to capture and commemorate loved ones during the end phase of their lives.

Graphic of Dave Bourgeois

About Drumlin Cycle

Mobile bicycle repair and maintenance service for cyclists and commuter bicycles in Cavan-Monaghan township.

Graphic of Julie Drain holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About Your Furever Friend

A registered veterinary technician offering dog training, behaviour programming and health support for the life of the pet. 

Graphic of Jenish Odigineyev holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About Odigski Media

Videography services offering media shoots, full productions and editing services for program content, educational, and recruitment videos for businesses.

Graphic of Lewis Parker holding Starter Company Plus certificate

About East City Guitar Co.

Guitar manufacturing, repair and workshops located in East City. 

“This intake of the Starter Company Plus program saw twelve businesses who launched and grew in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result of a constantly changing economic and public health landscape, these new businesses have grown to be resilient and adaptive.,” said Entrepreneurship Officer Madeleine Hurrell, who oversees the program for PKED.

In Peterborough & the Kawarthas, we are lucky to have thriving and growing small businesses. We have seen our communities rally around entrepreneurs and small businesses.  The Starter Company Plus program is an opportunity for new start-ups and expanding businesses to access workshop training and one-on-one consultations with BAC Business Advisors and local guest speakers.” 

Madeleine Hurrell

Since its launch in 2017, the Starter Company Plus program through the BAC has assisted over 203 local entrepreneurs and over 162 small businesses. These small businesses have created over 190 jobs in our local economy. 

The Starter Company Plus program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs from aspiring to experienced, aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (operating for five years or less). To stay up to date on programs and workshops offered by the BAC, visit www.investptbo.ca/bac 

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