Six new small businesses have launched in Stratford and Perth County thanks to six grants totalling $30,000.
The Stratford Perth Centre for Business offered the money for new businesses in the veterinary medicine, water, publishing and digital marketing sectors. Each recipient receives $5,000 and ongoing mentorship and support.
Participating entrepreneurs received six weeks of business education and mentorship on business ideation, development, marketing, finances and brand. Then they presented their business plans to a panel of local community stakeholders.
The mentorship will continue on for a maximum of three years.
The Starter Company Plus program will announce a call for applications for the next cohort in January of 2020. The Starter Company Plus program, which is funded by the province of Ontario, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“The $5,000 investment will ultimately help these businesses succeed,” said Holly Mortimer, Business Advisor at the Stratford-Perth Centre for Business. “The entrepreneurs will use this money to hire staff, invest in technology and expand their operations.”
“The investment the Stratford Perth Centre for Business has made is incredibly important to the local economy,” said Joani Gerber, CEO of investStratford. “Supporting our entrepreneurs directly means they can employ people, buy inventory, equipment and continue to generate prosperity in our community.”