Partnership with KEDCO gives young local entrepreneurs access to new funding opportunities

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A partnership between Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) and Futurpreneur Canada to make it easier for young entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs in the Kingston area between the ages of 18 and 39 to take advantage of new funding and mentorship opportunities Become.

KEDCO will be the local referral partner for this program. The partnership will give young local entrepreneurs easy access to his as much as $60,000 in funding to start or promote a business.

KEDCO will announce details of the partnership at a free, limited-seat information session at the company’s offices in downtown Kingston on January 27, 3-4pm, with more information coming soon. It will also be published on the KEDCO website.

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“On that day, presenters from Futurpreneur Canada will come to our office and hold an event to explain to young entrepreneurs how the program works,” said KEDCO’s business development manager for startups and entrepreneurship. said Norman Musengimana. Whig standard.

Samuel Fortier, Eastern Ontario Business Development Manager for Futurpreneur Canada, and Rob Tamblyn, Small Business Business Development Manager for KEDCO, will attend the event.

Musengimana said Futurpreneur Canada offers funding opportunities to all eligible entrepreneurs through various funding streams.

“As an organization, we give allocated funding specifically to ‘side hustle’ entrepreneurs, which is pretty cool,” Musengimana said. “There are also specific programs for all entrepreneurs in general, not just Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

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Musengimana said the COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for individuals to pursue their dreams as “side hustle” entrepreneurs, thanks to factors such as more flexible work schedules, opportunities to work from home, and lack of commuting. said. KEDCO helps connect these individuals with the resources they need to succeed.

Musengimana said: “In my day-to-day role, I talk to entrepreneurs and mentor them. I show them how to build pitches and what they can do. To do.”

As a non-profit organization, KEDCO is a proactive and accessible first point of contact for local entrepreneurs in Kingston and the surrounding area to develop and build business plans, apply for funding, and access mentorship. Ahead, Musengimana said.

“Our service is free for everyone,” he said. “Please reach out. We are part of the community and can meet in person to help them build their business plan step by step.”

Musengimana said he often connects with entrepreneurs in Napanee, Loyalist Township and South Frontenac while based in Kingston.

“We want the public to reach out,” Musengimana said. “We are here to help. Do everything we can to help our tax base. It keeps our economy growing.”

For more information, please visit www.kingstonecdev.com.

mbalogh@postmedia.com