What We Do.
The Business Centre Guelph-Wellington has helped entrepreneurs since 1999.
We Work With You.
The BCGW works with owners of businesses across a spectrum of industries, sizes, and maturity levels. We meet business owners where they are at and help them to figure out the next right move – both for their business and for themselves.
For instance:
- We work with individuals at the “idea” stage who are considering starting a business but aren’t sure if it’s the right path for them. We help them validate their idea and understand what it would take to get started.
- We help individuals and businesses get to the “launch” stage – building a minimum viable product or service and setting up everything they need to get their business off the ground.
- We support businesses at the “growth” stage by helping them level up their business, set up standard operating procedures, decide the right time to scale, navigate team growth, and handle changes in the market.
How We Do It.
At BCGW, we act as a connection point between services and success, offering members access to our incredible network of business advisors – made up of current and previous small business owners who can provide first-hand knowledge and honest mentorship via their learning and experiences. We also work with our local ecosystem to refer and connect business owners and highlight success stories.
The BCGW delivers three core areas of expertise:
- Education – BCGW provides members with access to the innovative tools, targeted training and services they need to meet success every step of the way.
- Advisory Services – Our talented bench of business advisors, who together have decades of tangible experience, provide customized mentorship, meeting each individual where they are in their entrepreneurial journey.
- Connection – We make connections between our members, the local community and funding organizations through strategic local partnerships with business advisory partners including Chambers of Commerce and Regional Innovation Centres. We are proud to have an extended network of experienced entrepreneurial-focused professionals who are ready to collaborate and engage.
Why It Matters.
Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our community, and they are directly tied to boosting our community’s economic growth, job creation and innovation. Business owners continue to be challenged by changes to commercial best practices post-COVID and the effects of inflation. Now more than ever, entrepreneurs and small businesses have our unwavering support to navigate the changing world around them, connect with other entrepreneurs, and flourish in the Guelph-Wellington community. This includes engagement, access to tools and training and connecting them with a robust network of trusted advisors. At our core, we believe the expansion and longevity of small businesses and entrepreneurial endeavours will have significant positive impacts on the vitality and success of Guelph and Wellington County’s overall success.
What’s Next For Us.
We are committed to driving innovation, tracking emerging trends and assisting entrepreneurs to thrive. We continue to monitor the overall entrepreneurial landscape to help anticipate opportunities and challenges that small businesses might encounter. The BCGW has their back.