In the wake of the economic devastation of COVID‑19, Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across Ontario provided additional support, resources and training to help entrepreneurs pivot, recover and grow their small businesses.
Through funding from the Ontario Government under the Ontario Together Fund initiative, Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario has served more than 4,139 businesses recovering from the effects of COVID‑19. Over 6,323 jobs were impacted and sustained during this project.
Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario officially launched in February 2021 due to project funding from the Ontario Together Fund. In November 2021, Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario incorporated as a nonprofit membership organization for the 54 Small Business Enterprise Centres across Ontario that have been in operation for over 30 years. By coming together as a formalized network, SBC Ontario can showcase services, events, locations and e‑learning in one website to increase awareness and access to supports available for small businesses as they recover from the economic impact of COVID‑19.
By providing business advisory services, subject‑matter expert webinars, and free e‑learning sessions, our province‑wide network of localized business advisory centres launched a comprehensive outreach campaign to support small business owners during COVID and beyond.
Our network developed a series of 30 English and French free on‑demand learning modules for Ontario entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. These evergreen sessions offer essential skills training for businesses in the idea, startup or growth stage.
More than 309,037 people reached through our centralized website. The SBC Ontario Website was designed as a robust resource for providing valuable information about the support and services available for Ontario small business owners.
Entrepreneurs can access free online business skills training, attend webinars on current business topics, join online meetups for peer‑to‑peer support, read business success stories from across Ontario, as well as access regional SBEC Network programs and services available in their local area.
Growth, innovation, vitality, and job creation are all fueled by the contributions of small businesses — making them an integral part of communities throughout Ontario and our economy. The Small Business Centres Ontario came together as a network in support of the vital role to increase awareness and access to the services of Small Business Enterprise Centres throughout the Province.