Inspiring Entrepreneurship
Starter Company Plus
Training, Mentoring, Funding Opportunity
An accelerated training program that provides hands-on support in developing your business plan and cash flow projections, with the opportunity to pitch for grant funding.
Starter Company Plus Intake Is Now Closed
Thank you for your interest in the Starter Company Plus business development training program. Registration for information sessions and the current intake is now closed.
Please note that the Starter Company Plus program has transitioned to a single intake per year and will no longer offer a fall intake. To stay informed about the 2027 intake, we encourage you to join the contact list below.
This program is delivered locally by Enterprise Renfrew County and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.
Generously Sponsored by:
Grant Award Recipients 2026
Enterprise Renfrew County is pleased to announce Starter Company Plus training has now concluded for 2026.
This transformative business development program sponsored by Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, guides small business owners through creating a full business plan and two years of cash flow projections with opportunity to compete through a business pitch for grant awards.
To complete this program takes dedication, motivation, and perseverance! These 16 stand-out businesses were awarded grants totalling $80,000 in 2026:
Town of Arnprior
-
David Meek – Mainbrace Studio – https://mainbracestudio.com
-
Tina Thompson – Temple 13 – https://temple13.com
Town of Deep River
-
Carolyn Mathews – Daisy's Butterfly – https://www.facebook.com/daisysbutterfly
-
Salina Vanderhorn – Saturday Morning Books & Analog –https://shopsaturdaymorning.ca
Township of Laurentian Valley
-
Rebecca Paulson – Winter Fresh Harvest – (website under development)
-
Riley Thatcher – Valley Hair Artistry – https://www.facebook.com/valleyhairartistry
Town of Petawawa
-
Jolene Kellsey – In Fine Fettle – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586649195048
-
Valerie Proulx – The Blushing Reader – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592639969690
Township of Madawaska Valley
-
Sarah Blakeney Malo – Seed and Stone Farmstead – https://seedandstonefarmstead.ca
Township of McNab/Braeside
-
Alice Banks – Alice Alishka Yarn Cake – https://alicealishka.com
-
Oliver Richards – Boa Engineering Inc. – https://www.boaengineering.ca
-
Dereck Wilson – Start 2 Finishes Construction – (website under development)
Township of Whitewater Region
-
Melissa Jardine Ridley – Natures Vesta Holistic Nursing – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593271132969
City of Pembroke
-
Matthew Chalifoux – Peak Digital Partners – https://peakdigitalpartners.net
-
Marina Neville – Neville Mediation – https://www.nevillemediation.ca
-
Stephanie Williamson – Beautifully Balanced Books – https://www.beautifullybalancedbooks.ca
New for the Starter Company Plus program in 2026 was the addition of a mentorship program matching past program participants and local entrepreneurs with new participants. The mentorship program provided new participants with the opportunity to engage with like-minded entrepreneurs in a support environment, to share ideas and recommendations, receive guidance and expand networks. Enterprise Renfrew County extends thanks to this year’s 22 business mentors from across the region.
Mentors included:
Remind Media Inc., Flock'n Fleet Repair Inc., Grown and Gathered, The Herd’s Throne, Valley Cap, Corvus Financial Consulting Inc., Handmade Herbology/Golden Gatherings, Montu Canada, Ottawa Valley Sports & Boxing, Forager Bee, Ottawa Valley First Aid, TLC Fitness & More, The Wizard of Pawz, Valley Friends, Valley Angels, Evernew Recovery and Rehabilitation, Red Neck Recipes, Kelly's Salon Services Unbound Inc., Acumentum, Ottawa Valley Wellness, TRAICON, Bumpy Roads Studio.
Enterprise Renfrew County encourages the public to support grant award recipients and mentor businesses in Renfrew County to ensure these dynamic entrepreneurs continue to thrive regionally and contribute to community.
Starter Company Plus provides three months of business coaching, business plan and cash flow projection development, mentoring and instruction from staff and professional trainers on marketing, accounting, insurance, and legal considerations. This intensive training program has proven to be pivotal for entrepreneurs with new business ideas and owners of businesses that have been operating for five years or less. At the end of the program there is an opportunity for participants to compete, by pitching their business plan, for a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000 to be applied to their business operations.
Grant recipient Oliver Richards, president and founder of Boa Engineering Inc., discovered the program while searching for grant opportunities, but he soon realized the process proved even more valuable than the funding, helping him formalize passions, plans, and processes.
"The Starter Company Plus program has been foundational in building my new business,” Richards shares. “The classroom sessions offered insight from industry experts across many facets of entrepreneurship, and the chance to ask questions and receive personalized guidance was incredibly helpful. Drafting my business plan and financial projections, and receiving detailed feedback on both, left me far more confident in starting and operating my business. I'm deeply appreciative of the time and effort Heather and the Enterprise Renfrew County team put in on behalf of everyone enrolled in the program."
The next opportunity to participate in Starter Company Plus will be spring of 2027. For more information and to join the contact list visit: www.enterpriserenfrewcounty.com/starter-company-plus. Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact Heather Inwood-Montrose, Small Business Advisor.
The Starter Company Plus program is delivered locally by Enterprise Renfrew County and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario, County of Renfrew, Town of Renfrew and the City of Pembroke. Enterprise Renfrew County is a non-profit program whose mandate is to encourage and contribute to the enterprising spirit and economic development of Renfrew County by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing companies.
.png)
Testimonials
'Starter Company Plus has offered me and my small business an amazing opportunity, not just the chance to compete for a grant - but to learn, grow and hone my abilities to operate as a small business owner. I would recommend any new entrepreneur to this program and would even go as far to say it is a MUST before you launch!'
Alexis
"The Starter Company Plus program was incredibly beneficial for me as a new business owner. It provided a wealth of information on integrating legal aspects, taxes, marketing strategies, and business planning. This comprehensive program was extremely helpful in identifying areas where I still need to grow and focus on building my business successfully. The program equipped me with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of starting, running and building a business and I am truly grateful for the guidance and support, the entirety of the program provided. Big thanks for this incredible program for our growing community of entrepreneurs!"
Noelle
'As someone who didn't put in quite enough time into the program and who didn't have a clear vision at the start of the program, I still found the whole program incredibly useful. I may not have pitched but the info, advice and other stories from everyone has given me a clear vision for where I want to take my business. Highly recommend this program!'
Connor
Program Details
Starter Company PLUS participants in training write a full business plan, complete two years of cash-flow projections, complete sessions with insurance, legal, and accounting experts, and have opportunity to compete through a pitch for a grant of up to $5,000 to start, grow or purchase their business.
Please Note: The award portion of the program is a competition; Not every applicant will receive a grant.
Applicants can only compete for the grant during the time frame of their application and acceptance into the Starter Company Plus program.
Applicants must be a resident of the County of Renfrew and the business must be based in and operating within the County of Renfrew.
Information Session Dates:
Please check the workshop calendar for info session dates and registrations or register below for an info session. Typically sessions are offered in the spring. All meetings and training sessions are held online via Teams.
Mandatory Training Dates
To take part in the Starter Company PLUS Program you must be available to attend business training. All training will take place remotely via Teams. You must have Microsoft Office Suite to access program training templates and will require @gmail address to access google classroom.
Application Process
- Choose a time and attend an Information Session
- Submit the application form (will be provided after attending an Information Session)
- Participate in a one-on-one telephone interview
- If accepted into the training portion of the program, applicants must:
- Submit and sign an application form electronically
- Submit and sign a learning agreement
- Provide a copy of a business registration
- Write a business plan that includes two years cash-flow projections
- Attend all business training sessions
- Follow a personal learning plan
- Attend all sessions and complete all requirements to earn a pitch opportunity
- Applicants competing for the grant must provide 25% proof of financial contribution
- To compete for the business grant, you must prepare and pitch a fifteen minute presentation
to the Grant Review Committee.
*Successful grant recipients will continue with an additional two month coaching and reporting period. All program participants may access individualized business coaching post program.
To discuss the program and ask any questions call at: 613.735.8224 or EMAIL ercinfo@countyofrenfrew.on.ca
