The Prescott-Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (CEPR) is proud to announce the eight entrepreneurs who have received a total of $40,000 in grants as part of the 2026 cohort of the Starter Company Plus program.
Offered in partnership with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) and funded by the Government of Ontario, the program supports entrepreneurs in launching, acquiring, or growing their businesses.
Over the past several months, participants attended a series of workshops covering topics such as identifying the ideal customer, developing a value proposition, marketing, innovation, negotiation, and financial fundamentals. The sessions were led by experienced business coaches—Antoine Carrière (Entrepreneur Lifestyle Academy), Marc Lecompte (Kwik Tax), Éric Charlebois (Apprends et entreprends), and Vicky Papineau (Gold Centre Coaching)—who shared their expertise with energy and dedication.
Entrepreneurs then developed and presented their business plans to a selection committee consisting of Nicolas Malboeuf (Prescott-Russell Development Corporation), Kathy Chaumont (Eastern Ontario Catholic District School Board), Georges Stephane Nana (Settlement, Support and Community Guidance Centre), Renée Gendron (PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise), and Véronique Dupont (Employment Services Centre).
“Having been an entrepreneur myself, this program really resonates with me. I know how important support, mentorship, and guidance are during the early stages of a project. I understand the challenges, but more importantly, I understand the pride and satisfaction that comes when an idea becomes a successful business. To the grant recipients, keep daring, innovating, and believing in your projects. Your success is also a success for our entire community,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell and Parliamentary Assistant to the Associate Minister of Small Business and the Minister of Francophone Affairs.
“I want to congratulate the recipients of this cohort. You have chosen to invest your time, energy, and expertise here, in our region, confident that this is a place worth building in. Every business established locally plays a key role in creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and building strong, dynamic, and resilient communities. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of the CEPR and thank our partners for contributing to the program’s success,” said Mario Zanth, 2026 Chair of the UCPR Council.
The CEPR is pleased to introduce the eight entrepreneurs who received grants through this year’s Starter Company Plus program:
- Brandon Roussel – Fresh Vues (Hawkesbury)
- Destiny Lavoie – Clean Touch (Embrun)
- Lyane Pennell – HIRA: A Centre for Wellness Inc. (Russell)
- Josée Dupuis – Willow Creek Gypsies (Hammond)
- Ikram Ahmed – Siti Organic Skin (Embrun)
- Tanya Dery – Box Homes (Bourget)
- Erin Gurski – Copyrightlaws.com (Russell)
- Kerry Smith – ApotheKerry & Co. (Russell)
The financial support will allow these entrepreneurs to invest in equipment, merchandise, marketing, and other resources to help grow their businesses.
“Entrepreneurs play a vital role in the economic vitality of our region. Through this program, they can develop their ideas and access resources that will help their businesses grow. It’s a privilege to watch their projects take shape within our community,” said Liza Langevin, Project Officer at CEPR.