Regional Business Centre

Name

Regional Business Centre

Legal name

Regional Business Centre

Website

https://regionalbusiness.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

Keywords

• Business support services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Small business consulting
• Startup mentorship
• Business incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sudbury

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The Regional Business Centre is funded through partnerships with the Government of Ontario and the City of Greater Sudbury's Economic Development Division. All services are provided free of charge to clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Regional Business Centre provides free business support services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Greater Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, and surrounding regions. It delivers three core funded programs (Starter Company Plus with grants up to $5,000, Summer Company with grants up to $3,000 for students aged 15-29, and a 6-month Business Incubator Program) supported by one-on-one consultations, business plan support, financing guidance, networking events, and a resource library. All services are provided at no cost to clients in both English and French.

Product overview

The Regional Business Centre is a one-stop source for free business support services operated as part of the City of Greater Sudbury's Economic Development Division. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including Starter Company Plus (grant funding up to $5,000 for entrepreneurs), Summer Company (grants up to $3,000 for student entrepreneurs aged 15-29), and the Business Incubator Program (6-month mentorship and training for early-stage startups). These programs are complemented by core services including one-on-one consultations, seminars and networking events, business plan support, financing guidance, a resource library, and business registration assistance. All services are provided free of charge in both English and French to serve entrepreneurs across Greater Sudbury, Manitoulin, and surrounding regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Starter Company Plus An Ontario government program delivered by the Regional Business Centre that provides entrepreneurs aged 18+ with training, mentorship, and grant funding of up to $5,000 to start, purchase, or grow a business. The annual 6-month program includes weekly training sessions, business plan development, and grant committee approval.
• Summer Company An Ontario government program for students aged 15-29 returning to school in September, providing grants of up to $3,000 to start and manage their own summer business. Participants receive mentorship and business training through the Regional Business Centre.
• Business Incubator Program A free 6-month business acceleration program for early-stage startups offering mentorship, training workshops, networking events, and access to the entrepreneurial community. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship and connections to business advisors.
• One-on-One Consultations Free confidential consultations with professional staff to discuss business-related questions ranging from startup regulations to marketing ideas and business planning. Available in-person at Tom Davies Square or virtually via Microsoft Outlook booking.
• Seminars, Events and Networking Year-round business-related learning and networking opportunities including regularly scheduled seminars, webinars, and annual special events such as Homegrown Ventures and Pitch Challenge.
• Business Plan Support Business Plan Guide and consulting/review services to help entrepreneurs develop and refine their business plans, identify gaps, and strengthen their approach.
• Financing and Funding Guidance Guidance on financing requirements with a Funding Handbook outlining available funding resources to help start or grow a business, including connections to relevant programs.
• Business Resource Library Extensive resource library covering topics including business planning, market research, financing sources, importing/exporting, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and marketing.
• Business Registration Assistance Assistance with registering or renewing Business Name Registration for sole proprietorships, partnerships, or operating as names linked to existing corporations.
• Guidance on Licenses, Permits and Regulations Simplified process for finding information on business permits and licenses from federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 years supporting entrepreneurs since 1995
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• City of Greater Sudbury Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre operates as part of the City of Greater Sudbury's Economic Development Division, staying connected to local priorities and broader business development efforts.
• Greater Sudbury Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration Network member providing business networking opportunities, joint events, and referrals to Regional Business Centre services.
• Baker Tilly (formerly Collins Barrow)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration Network member providing accounting and bookkeeping expertise to entrepreneur referrals.
• DesjardinssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial institution collaborator supporting the Regional Business Centre programs and initiatives.
• Laurentian UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration Network member providing academic resources, student connections, and venue for events like Homegrown Ventures at the Jim Fielding Innovation Centre.
• Cambrian CollegecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration Network member providing student talent pipeline and educational resources for entrepreneurs.
• Collège BoréalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFrancophone college collaboration supporting bilingual services and French-language entrepreneurship resources.
• NORCATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub partner for Business Incubator Program, providing mentorship connections, facilities, and involvement in selection committee. Hosts Pitch Challenge events.
• Société économique de l'OntariosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEconomic development organization supporting francophone entrepreneurs and collaboration network initiatives.
• Downtown SudburysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness improvement area organization collaborating on local business support and events.
• Sudbury TourismsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism organization supporting local business ecosystem and promoting Greater Sudbury as a business destination.
• Desmarais, Keenan, LawyerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal firm collaborator providing guidance referrals for business legal matters through the collaboration network.
• Agilis NetworksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSales and business development network providing expertise and guest speakers for entrepreneurial training programs.
• The Foundry (Laurentian University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub at Laurentian University co-hosting Homegrown Ventures entrepreneurial showcase events and providing startup support resources.
• Sudbury.comsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media partner providing visibility for entrepreneur stories and business events through news coverage.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Futurpreneur Canada: National non-profit providing financing, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs (ages 18-39). Operates at a broader scale than Regional Business Centre but competes for the same youth and early-stage entrepreneur audience across Canada.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Federal Crown corporation providing financing, advisory services, and capital to Canadian small businesses. Broad incumbent that overlaps with the Centre's entrepreneur advisory and financing-guidance mandate at a national scale.

Regional players

• Velocity (University of Waterloo): University-based startup incubator in Waterloo Region providing mentorship, programming, and resources to student and early-stage entrepreneurs. Comparable as a regionally-focused entrepreneurship support organization, though serving a different geography.
• NORCAT: Sudbury-based innovation hub and Regional Business Centre partner that hosts Pitch Challenge events, provides mentorship connections, and co-administers the Business Incubator Program. Directly comparable as a regional innovation/entrepreneurship support organization in the same geography.

Others

• Startup Canada: National not-for-profit ecosystem organization supporting Canadian entrepreneurs through programs, awards, and policy advocacy. Adjacent/ecosystem peer rather than direct competitor; shares the mandate of promoting entrepreneurship.

Emerging players

• DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University): Leading Canadian startup incubator and accelerator offering programming, mentorship, and connections to early-stage founders. Comparable emerging player in the entrepreneurship support space, though operating at a different geographic and funding scale.

Direct peers

• Ottawa Business Development Centre: Ontario SBEC serving Ottawa-area entrepreneurs with similar free advisory services, training programs, and grant administration. Comparable SBEC operating under identical provincial franchise.
• York Region Small Business Enterprise Centre: Designated SBEC serving York Region entrepreneurs with free consultations, Starter Company Plus, Summer Company, and incubator-style programs. Operates under identical Ontario government framework as Regional Business Centre.
• Halton Region Small Business Centre: Municipal-level SBEC serving Halton Region with free business advisory services, programming, and entrepreneurship support. Comparable as a peer SBEC operating under the same Ontario provincial designation.
• Toronto Business Development Centre: One of Ontario's 54 designated Small Business Enterprise Centres, providing free business advisory, programs, and mentorship to entrepreneurs in the Toronto region. Most directly comparable peer given identical SBEC mandate and program portfolio structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RegBusCentre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@regionalbusiness/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/regionalbusinesscentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-business-centre-city-of-greater-sudbury
• Instagraminstagram.com/regionalbusinesscenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Regional Business Centre