Community Futures South Georgian Bay

09/03/2026

We're extending the deadline for Starter Company Plus applications to September 11! 🚨

Get support to start, grow, or buy a small business through 10 bi-weekly training sessions. The program offers participants:

✅business coaching and training
✅mentorship and networking opportunities
✅the chance to apply for a grant up to $5,000

To learn more and apply, visit Orangeville.ca/StarterCompany

This program is delivered locally by the Orangeville and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.

📷: Strong Studio - Orangeville, a previous participant in the Starter Company Plus program.

Town of Orangeville Dufferin County Community Futures South Georgian Bay Town of Grand Valley Township of East Garafraxa Dufferin Board of Trade

09/01/2026

Happy September!

September is shaping up to be an exciting month! As we celebrate Community Futures Week, we're bringing you a variety of webinars, events, and opportunities to connect with your local business community.

Join us at our Open House, attend a webinar, and learn how Community Futures continues to support entrepreneurs our region. We hope to see you there!

🗓️September 21: BDC's Economic Outlook 2026: Navigating Uncertainty & Building What's Next

🗓️September 22: Essential Safety Practices for Small Businesses

🗓️September 22: Everything Government Can Do for Your Business, All in One Place

🗓️September 23: Community Futures Open House | 22 Market Street, Collingwood

🗓️September 23: Succession Planning: The Emotional Transaction

🗓️September 23: Small Business Fraud Education

Sign up and learn more on our website: https://cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca/events/

08/28/2026

Are you a tourism business owner in Bruce, Grey, or Simcoe County?

Applications are open for the T3 Accelerator Program!

This is a free resource for business and includes:

➡️Up to 18 months of coaching
➡️Business assessment & strategy development
➡️Sales & marketing support
➡️Social media best practices
➡️Financial management guidance
➡️Workforce development resources

This program has supported over 60 other businesses and counting and this is what they had to say!

If your business has been operating for at least one year and you're ready to take it to the next level, this could be the support you've been looking for.

👉 Apply today and accelerate your success!

Learn more at: https://rto7.ca/Public/Programs/T3-Accelerator-Program

08/24/2026

Mentors are a critical component of a successful entrepreneurship journey.

70% of small businesses that receive mentoring survive more than five years, which is double the survival rate of businesses without mentorship.

Mentors can help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, avoid costly mistakes, build confidence, and accelerate growth through real-world experience.

At every stage of business ownership, don't underestimate the value of asking questions, seeking advice, and building a strong support network.

We have some incredible volunteer mentors that support us, if you think you could benefit from a mentor or want to volunteer your time as a mentor, contact us today to learn more.

🔗https://cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca/contact-us/

📍Proudly supporting rural small businesses and entrepreneurs across 13 municipalities and West Simcoe, South Grey, and Dufferin Counties.

Community Futures is non-profit funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario

08/17/2026

A year for the books.

We had an amazing year at Community Futures South Georgian Bay, we saw so many incredible and creative ideas, unbelievable growth and so many passionate entrepreneurs following their dreams and becoming their own bosses.

We met many people through our workshops, events and inquiries and you kept us busy with consultations and loans!

Let’s keep the momentum going.

Read all about it in our 2025-26 Annual Report - find it on our website:

2025/2026 was one for the books! It was one of the biggest and most successful years in our history as we enter our 40th year as an organization, and none […]

08/17/2026

08/13/2026

With the Ontario Small Business Corporate Income Tax cut now in effect, businesses across the province can reinvest up to $5,000 in what matters most: growing their business, creating jobs and serving their communities.



Ontario Finance | Ontario Government

08/12/2026

Send Us Your Input for Female Founders Network

Over the past year, the Female Founders Network has grown into an amazing community of women entrepreneurs who have come together to learn, connect, and support one another.

We're excited about the possibility of continuing the Female Founders Network for another year and we're exploring new ways to deliver the program. Before we make any decisions, we'd love to hear from you!

If you'd be interested (or know someone who would be interested) in participating in a future Female Founders Network program featuring expert-led sessions, peer learning opportunities, and networking with other women in business, please take a moment to complete our quick two minute question survey. This has no sign up or commitment currently, we want to see if there is interest.

Let us know:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XWcJg8n9aUa9K0AZpxTTJj4E4hyGBdZJrRbPAIhNchlUOVdBVk9XVkMyRUs3RzlHSEdURDQ1UTFPUi4u

08/12/2026

AI is changing how businesses compete, but success isn't about using more AI.

It's about using AI in the right places.

We're excited to support the program:
Grow Smarter: The AI Pathway, a five-part hands-on workshop series that helps entrepreneurs and business leaders apply AI to real business challenges.

Across five interactive sessions, you'll learn how to use AI to:
• Validate your market strategy
• Generate demand and attract customers
• Improve operational efficiency
• Strengthen financial planning
• Prepare your business for future growth

Every workshop combines expert instruction with hands-on application, so you'll leave with practical tools, not just ideas.
Join us this fall in Collingwood and discover how AI can become a valuable business partner.

https://bit.ly/growsmarter_2026

This program is supported by the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund, as well as county-wide partnerships.

Move beyond AI prompts and discover how AI can help you solve real business challenges. Attend one workshop or all five!