Saugeen Connects is helping students open 40 new summer businesses with start-up funding and extensive training.
The summer companies include various businesses within the agricultural, retail, service, manufacturing and educational sectors, plus many innovative concepts.
The economic development partnership between Brockton, Hanover, Minto, Wellington North, West Grey and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation had students from Grades 6 to 12 pitch their ideas.
The program includes a meet-and-greet with sponsors, workshop training, start-up funding and an opportunity to earn bonus cash.
“The goal of the Student Start-Up Program is to ignite the spirit of entrepreneurism in our local youth,” said Rose Austin, general manager at SEDC. “We were extremely pleased with the quantity – and quality – of the respondents and are thrilled to provide the seed funding and workshop training necessary for these young entrepreneurs to see success.”