Community Futures Peterborough Expands Entrepreneurship 101 Series for Spring 2026 in Partnership with Scotiabank
Peterborough, ON – February 10, 2026 – Community Futures Peterborough will deliver its most extensive Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series to date this spring in partnership with Scotiabank, expanding the program in response to continued demand from local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The Spring 2026 series builds on the success of the fall workshops, which supported more than 120 unique entrepreneurs and small business owners across seven sessions. Launched as a four-part series, Entrepreneurship 101 has rapidly expanded as more businesses across the region turn to Community Futures Peterborough for advisory and lending support. Feedback from participants and growing interest in business advisory services highlighted the need for additional, more specialized topics, leading to a partnership with Scotiabank to expand the series with two additional brand-new workshops.
“Scotiabank is proud to partner with the amazing team at Community Futures Peterborough to support the expansion of this valuable program supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses getting the advice they need to grow in our local community,” said Nolan Frazer, Business Banking Team Lead at Scotiabank. “The success of local businesses and business owners is critical to the success of the community, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this to life.”
The new workshops added to the series are in direct response to clients asking for additional support in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Human Resources. Appear First – Search Engine Optimization & E-Commerce, delivered by Brendan Quigley, will introduce participants to building an online presence, improving search visibility and online sales, and Employer Essentials – Understanding Your Obligations as an Employer, a session developed to help business owners better understand their responsibilities when hiring staff, delivered by the Office of the Employer Advisor and Service Canada.
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting entrepreneurs with access to programs that meet their needs,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “Peterborough continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering practical support that helps businesses in the region grow and adapt in a changing economy.”
Entrepreneurship 101 is designed to support individuals and businesses at various stages of their business journey, from those exploring an idea for the first time to existing business owners looking to strengthen their operations. The spring series places a stronger focus on practical areas such as e-commerce, search engine optimization, and employer responsibilities, reflecting the challenges business owners are seeking advisory support in.
“Investments in our local entrepreneurs help diversify and grow our economy, making success more inclusive across both the City and County,” said Dave Smith, MPP Peterborough – Kawartha. “By offering practical, expert-led workshops, Community Futures Peterborough is ensuring that every business owner has the confidence to take the next step. Our government is proud to see such dedicated local support for those who represent the best of the Ontario spirit.”
The expansion of Entrepreneurship 101 aligns with broader trends seen through the Business Advisory Centre. Since April, Community Futures Peterborough has supported more than 340 unique businesses through over 440 in-depth, one-on-one consultations. The workshop series complements this work by offering accessible, hands-on learning opportunities that help entrepreneurs build confidence and make informed decisions.
“Entrepreneurs across the riding of Peterborough have been clear that they need practical support to help their businesses grow. This expanded Entrepreneurship 101 series is a direct and thoughtful response to that,” said Emma Harrison, MP, Peterborough. “The strong turnout last fall showed just how committed and resilient our local business community is, and it makes me incredibly proud to see local organizations stepping up to deliver the tools and training that entrepreneurs need to succeed in a changing economy.”
The Spring 2026 Entrepreneurship 101 workshops will be held at the Venture North Building in Peterborough on the following dates:
- Spark Tank – Brainstorm and Validate Business Ideas: March 4
- Launch Pad – Business Planning: March 11
- Brand Lab – Marketing and Branding: March 25
- Funding Fuel – Explore Funding and Financing: April 1
- (new for Spring 2026) Appear First – Search Engine Optimization & E-Commerce: April 8
- Staff Smart – Hiring Your First Employee: April 15
- (new for Spring 2026) Employer Essentials – Understand Your Obligations as an Employer: April 22
- Money Map – Cash Flow Forecasting: April 29
- Protect It – Intellectual Property for Small Businesses: May 6
The Entrepreneurship 101 series is open to anyone looking to start a business, grow an existing one, or sharpen their entrepreneurial skill set. Space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged.
Registration and additional workshop information are available on the Community Futures Peterborough website at www.cfpeterborough.ca
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in 1,300+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,600 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. In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough began delivery of the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, funded by the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
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 Contacts:
Devon Girard
Executive Director
Community Futures Peterborough
Mobile: 705-957-3641
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
