Services

The Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN) can assist you in the following three key business development stages. Thinking about starting a business, starting a business and growing your business. Starting and developing a new business takes motivation, desire and talent, as well as research and planning.

The BECN can provide you with business assistance, guidance and resources to help determine the viability of your concept with the following:

  • Free business consultations
  • Business plan development and review
  • Micro grants
  • Business start-up and growth programs
  • Marketing plan assistance
  • Information and resources
  • Business coaching and networking opportunities
  • Business seminars and workshops
  • Guidance on licenses, permits, registration and regulations required to start and build a business

Business consultations

Business consultations are free and can provide you with the information you need to start and grow your business. Consultations typically last one hour and appointments should be made in advance by phone or email. 

Business consultations are meant solely as a form of advice and direction with the concept of coaching present throughout all discussions. We encourage you to seek professional advice on legal, tax and accounting matters where necessary.

During the business consultation, this time can be used to discuss:

  • Your business idea
  • Business start-up procedures
  • Your business strengths and weaknesses
  • Your business viability
  • Business and marketing plans
  • Business and marketing plan review
  • Market research
  • Creating an online presence
  • Social media
  • Financing information
  • Roadblocks in the planning process
  • Expansion

Contact us to get started!

Looking to start a food business?

The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC), is a built-to-purpose niche food manufacturing facility located in Northumberland County in Colborne. It is a launchpad for food entrepreneurs who have outgrown their local commercial kitchen and are almost ready to construct commercial production space or begin negotiations with a co-manufacturer. The OAFVC assists farmers who need short and medium-term fresh and frozen food storage and who are looking for value-adding opportunities for their produce. The OAFVC provides food entrepreneurs with safe, clean, manufacturing and storage spaces that can help you start, grow or expand your food business.

Visit our Business Resources page for additional food entrepreneur business start-up information.

Contact the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre

216 Purdy Road, Colborne
905-355-3680