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Business Advisory Centre: Start Your Business

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur?

Or perhaps you are a new business owner looking for assistance in navigating the region’s network of support for entrepreneurs? Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is often a business owner’s first step on the path to success.

Small Business Navigator

Small Business Navigator

Cell: 705-743-0777

What door should you go through?

Whether you have a new business idea or you are an established business owner, there’s multiple doors you can step through for training, tools and resources to start or grow a successful business. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development has developed three workshop series to navigate you through hands-on learning experiences no matter the stage of your business.

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Do you have a new business idea or looking for a refresher to successfully start and grow your business?

Build a solid foundation and equip yourself with the tools and resources to successfully start your business with the Business Fundamentals Workshop Series, presented in collaboration with Community Futures Peterborough and Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Small Biz Social Navigator workshop series graphic

Have you recently launched a small business and wondered how to connect with your audience?

Leverage the power of social media to maximize your reach and impact with the Small Biz Social Navigator Workshop series, delivered by with Kat Tepylo Murphy from Social Kat Media.

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Are you an established business over with a growing team, or a solo-preneur feeling overwhelmed doing it all?

Transform your small business into a digital powerhouse with the Digital Excellence Unleashed workshop series, delivered by Camp Tech.

Small Business Toolkit

Compiled and written by the Business Advisory Centre – the Small Business Toolkit is a document designed for aspiring and new business owners. Used as a step-by-step guide, the downloadable pdf walks entrepreneurs through the process of taking ideas and making them a reality.

One-on-One Consultation

Looking for more personalized support? After attending the Business Fundamentals Workshop Series, please contact us to book a personalized meeting with a Business Advisory for:

  • GrowthWheel Advisory Services
  • Business Plan Review
  • Pitch Practice

Entrepreneurship Program Opportunities

We are pleased to offer multiple programs for starting and growing your business, including two Government of Ontario funded entrepreneurship programs.

Starter Company Plus

This program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs (from aspiring to experienced), aged 18 and over in the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (that has been operating for five years or less).

Summer Company

Summer Company is a program created by the Government of Ontario (and proudly administered locally through Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre). This program is perfect for self-motivated, entrepreneurial-minded youth looking to try their hand at business ownership.

“Spark” a new tourism idea

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism has partnered with the Tourism Innovation Lab to encourage new tourism ideas for the Peterborough & the Kawarthas region through the “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program.

Whether you are an individual, a start-up or an established small business or non-profit organization, there can be many challenges and barriers to bringing a new tourism idea, experience or partnership to fruition. 

The “Spark” Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide seed funds to help take their great new tourism idea to the next level of development.

"Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program graphic