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Starting, running, and scaling a business is a journey…

Switchboard can connect you with the support you need to successfully operate and grow at any business stage.

Find SupportHow We Work
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… and every journey should have a roadmap. 

Whether you have an idea or are scaling a business, knowing where you are on your journey helps you understand what support you might need.

Switchboard stages animation.

How We Work

Our resource directory is designed to save you time. We partner with organizations in the Kingston business community and gather all of their current funding opportunities, services, events and workshops in one place. 

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1. Gather

Our partners provide world-class knowledge, experience, and programs to help your business find success.

Switchboard dots and lines scattered (left); Switchboard circular logo (centre); arrow pointing to the right (right)

2. Organize

We organize support resources in a framework that is meant to be simple and easy to understand.

Hands navigating a mobile screen with each of the Switchboard categories neatly listed on screen.

3. Display

We display support resources in an easy-to-navigate, filterable directory.

We sort resources according to goals, challenges and mindset...

...not revenue, operating age or number of employees.

Find Resources

The right resources for the right stage!

Find the business support you need based on factors commonly associated with exploration, idea development, startup, sustained operation and scaling your business.

1

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Exploration

You are looking to get involved with the entrepreneurial community and need opportunities to develop and connect.

Exploration
Resources

2

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Idea

You have an idea or have identified a problem, but you don’t yet have a plan.

Idea
Resources

3

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Startup

You’re developing your product or service, but you’re not yet profitable.

Startup
Resources

4

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Established

You are sustaining yourself, but you don’t have a growth plan.

Established
Resources

5

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Scaleup

You have a dedicated management team and a plan to reach beyond your current market, but need help executing.

Scaleup
Resources
Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.

1. Exploration

You are looking to get involved with the entrepreneurial community and need opportunities to develop and connect.

Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.

2. Idea

You have an idea or have identified a problem, but you don’t yet have a plan.

Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple background

3. Startup

You’re developing your product or service, but you’re not yet profitable.

Startup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.

4. Established

You are sustaining yourself, but you don’t have a growth plan.

Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.

5. Scaleup

You have a dedicated management team and a plan to reach beyond your current market, but need help executing.

Avatar with brown hair wearing a Switchboard green hoodie, with question marks hovering above her head.
Exploration Resources
Switchboard avatar holding up a lightbulb.
Idea Resources
Switchboard avatar holding puzzle pieces up in the air.
Startup Resources
Switchboard avatar wearing a blue button-up, holding a tablet, with a speech bubble reading "..."
Established Resources
Switchboard avatar pointing at a bar graph while holding a tablet.
Scaleup Resources

Still not sure where you fit?

Dive deeper into the milestones, mindsets, and tasks that are associated with every stage. 

Explore Business Stages
Kingston, ON City Hall.
Kingston Economic Development Corporation

Kingston’s Economic Development Corporation is committed to long-term economic sustainability, attracting new businesses, growing and retaining existing businesses and tourism opportunities measured by the economic impact on the community.

St. Lawrence college students sitting together around a table.
St. Lawrence College

St. Lawrence College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology with three campuses in Eastern Ontario, namely Brockville, Cornwall and Kingston.

Four team members sitting around a table, working together.
Launch Lab

A team of entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs across southeastern Ontario. We provide mentorship, strategic advice, connections, and support to new and existing tech-based businesses.

Grant Hall and Queen's University in Kingston ON.
Queen's University

Queen’s University at Kingston is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, via a royal charter issued by Queen Victoria, the university predates Canada’s founding by 26 years.

SOAN, a Resource Provider for Switchboard in Kingston, ON.
SOAN

SOAN is a group of accredited investors from Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville and Trenton. There are opportunities to invest during bi-monthly pitch nights where investors can learn more about exciting new companies in the region.

Our Partners

Connect with trusted partners in your community.

Working with trusted partners in the Kingston community.
Queen's University
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
Launch Lab
Southern Ontario Angel Network (SOAN)
St. Lawrence College
Learn More

Resources

Filter for the support resources that are applicable to your business and build connections in the Kingston business community!

Find Resources

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates to access training, resources, financial support, and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their venture.

Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple backgroundStartup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.
Deadline:

Summer Company

The Summer Company program, funded by the Ontario government, has been helping students, aged 15 to 29, start and run their own businesses since 2001. Participants receive hands-on business mentoring from local business leaders and up to $3,000 to make their dream job a reality.

Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple backgroundStartup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.
Deadline:
May 17, 2024

Black Entrepreneur Ecosystem

This organization was created out of a need to help identify, support, and create a set of programs to help both potential and existing Black entrepreneurs to flourish in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple backgroundStartup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.
Deadline:

Futurpreneur Canada

Kingston Economic Development in partnership with Futurpreneur Canada is offering funding and mentorship programs run by Futurpreneur Canada.

Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple backgroundStartup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.
Deadline:

Canada Digital Adoption Program

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) supports small businesses across the country by providing a micro-grant up to $2,400 to help cover the costs of adopting e-commerce solutions, with guidance provided by a network of specialized e-commerce advisors.

Startup stage icon: white binoculars on a blue/green background.Idea stage icon: white lightbulb on a yellow background.Startup stage icon: white paper airplane on a purple backgroundStartup stage icon: white bullseye on an orange background.Scaleup stage icon: white rocket on a dark blue background.
Deadline:

Let us bring resources to you.

Every year, resource providers update their programming and in response to new funding, initiatives and feedback from the community. Join our network and let us keep you informed of new programs that could be relevant to you.

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Are you ready to find the business supports that are right for you?

Our resource directory is designed to save you time. We’re gathering all of our partners funding opportunities, services, events and workshops and aligning them with your Business Stage.

Find ResourcesLearn more