Community Futures Peterborough and BDC Launch SOAR Succession and Valuation Series to Help Business Owners Plan for the Future
PETERBOROUGH, ON – October 29, 2026 – Community Futures Peterborough, in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), is inviting regional business owners and aspiring business buyers to take the first step toward successful business transition planning through the launch of the SOAR Succession and Valuation Series.
The series kicks off with a free breakfast event on Tuesday, November 24 at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club, bringing together business owners, succession experts, professional advisors, and entrepreneurs interested in acquiring existing businesses.
As thousands of business owners across Ontario approach retirement age, succession planning has become one of the most important conversations facing the business community. Yet many owners wait too long to begin the process.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about selling a business is that planning begins when you’re ready to exit,” said Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “The reality is that successful transitions often begin three or more years before a sale takes place. Through the SOAR Series, we want to give business owners the knowledge and resources they need to maximize business value, prepare the next generation of leadership, and create a successful transition strategy.”
The SOAR Breakfast event is designed to help business owners understand why succession planning should begin years before an exit, the critical role business valuation plays in transition planning, common succession strategies involving family members and employees, the importance of leadership development and education for future owners, how to begin succession conversations with potential successors, what prospective buyers should look for when acquiring a business and the key steps involved in purchasing an existing local business.
“Nearly one in five Canadian businesses will change hands within the next five years. These transitions are critical to preserving jobs, keeping strong businesses rooted in their communities and creating opportunities for a new generation of entrepreneurs. The SOAR Series is part of a broader initiative between Community Futures and BDC that combines trusted local relationships with BDC’s financing and advisory expertise to help business owners rise to the various challenges that they face, including business transfers. It’s fully aligned with our role as a development bank,” said Adil Hassam, Vice President and Head, Community Banking at BDC.
The kickoff event will feature a fireside chat with Jillian and Ian Scates of Central Smith Creamery, who will share insights from their own business transition journey. Attendees will also hear from an expert panel featuring Michael Riseley & Matt Holmes (Holmes Riseley CPAs and Tax Advisors), Nicole Truman (Fox Law), and Jody Burnie (BDC), covering valuation, legal considerations, financing, and succession best practices.
Event Schedule
SOAR Succession and Valuation Series Kickoff Breakfast
Date: Tuesday, November 24
Location: Peterborough Golf & Country Club
8:00 a.m. – Doors Open, Registration, Breakfast and Networking
8:30 a.m. – Opening Remarks by Emcee Devon Girard
8:35 a.m. – Fireside Chat with Jillian and Ian Scates, Central Smith Creamery
8:55 a.m. – Expert Panel Discussion
9:15 a.m. – Audience Q&A
9:30 a.m. – Closing Remarks and Launch of SOAR Workshop Registration
During the event, attendees will also receive information about follow-up succession planning workshops taking place in January through the ongoing partnership between Community Futures Peterborough and BDC.
Seats for the free kickoff event are limited. Priority registration will be given to local business owners who are interested in learning more about valuation and succession advisory services, as well as individuals exploring business acquisition opportunities. To maintain a strong focus on business ownership and transition planning, the number of available seats for professional advisors will be limited.
“Whether you’re planning to exit your business in three years or ten, it’s never too early to start preparing,” added Girard. “By starting the conversation now, business owners can protect the legacy they’ve built while creating opportunities for future generations of entrepreneurs.”
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. It has invested more than $44 million in 1,900+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,900 jobs in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres deliver provincially funded programs and services that help entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed. With more than 50 centres across Ontario, OSBACs foster local business growth and strengthen communities across the province. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
About BDC, Canada’s bank for small- and medium-sized business owners
BDC focuses on small- and medium-sized business owners, providing them financing, investment, and advice. As Canada’s development bank, we also support entrepreneurs who don’t fit the traditional mold working with a network of partners and help develop underserved markets to unlock economic potential. Our mission is to build strong, resilient businesses that drive Canada’s economic growth. BDC is a perennial Canada’s Top 100 Employer and B Corp certified. Learn more at bdc.ca or connect with us on social media.
About FedDev Ontario
Since 2009, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our impact stories, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Media Contact:
Devon Girard, Executive Director
devon@cfpeterborough.ca
Cell: 705-957-3641
