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Kingston-area entrepreneurs secure $30,000 in microgrants
Ten local entrepreneurs have been chosen to participate in the provincial government-funded Starter Company Plus program. Supplied photo
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Ten local entrepreneurs have been chosen to receive training, mentorship and funding through a provincial government program.
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After going through an intensive business bootcamp and competitive selection process, reads Monday’s news release from the Kingston Economic Development Corp., the Kingston-area entrepreneurs secured $30,000 in microgrants through the Starter Company Plus program, which is funded by the Ontario government.
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Along with their own contributions, that means $280,000 of new business investment in the community, the release stated.
The 10 entrepreneurs chosen to receive funding are as part of the “spring cohort” are:
• Margaret Millar, for Back-slide, a quilted sleep mat;
• Micayla Caird, for Caird Lumber, a small-scale, locally owned lumber mill;
• Benjamin Oakley, for Castle Museum Solutions, which designs and fabricates of museum-quality fine art shipping crates;
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• Alex Kriss, for DesignScape Luxury Travel Consulting, which offers “bespoke travel experiences for those who value exclusivity, comfort and exceptional service,” stated the release;
• Rebecca Klapwyk, for Frontenac Forest School, which offers nature-based learning experiences for children;
• Jordan Shew, for JRS Audio & Production, a boutique music studio that does recording, mixing, songwriting and production;
• Stephanie Little, for Little Dot HR Inc., which “provides Fractional HR services for small- to mid-sized businesses navigating growth, change or challenge;”
• Emily Green, for Santa Mia, a line of natural cosmetics and herbalism;
• Emily Smith, for Smith & Smith Tree Services, which offers professional tree care to Kingston homeowners and businesses;
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• Mandy Fleming, for WM Rentals, which rents out equipment and tools and watercraft in Gananoque.
“One of the key aspects of entrepreneurship is identifying opportunities even in unlikely scenarios, and this cohort exemplifies that principle,” Norman Musengimana, the business development manager, startups and entrepreneurship at Kingston Economic Development Corp., stated in the release.
“The strength and diversity of businesses is remarkable, from sustainable lumber operations to luxury travel consulting, from innovative sleep solutions to professional tree services. These entrepreneurs demonstrate how you can exploit opportunities when you combine vision, determination, and the right support system.”
Applications for the fall edition of the Starter Company Plus program open in September.
“This program goes beyond the grant,” Simon Denford, KEDCO’s business programs and community outreach co-ordinator, stated in the same release.
“Cohort after cohort, participants thank us for the training, the mentorship, and the connections. The corporation’s strong network enable(s) us to match the participants with experienced business leaders to tap into their knowledge and experience. Over time, the participants who leverage the training and mentorship are the most successful.”
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