Community Futures Peterborough

What Community Futures Peterborough does

Community Futures Peterborough (legally Greater Peterborough Business Development Centre Inc.) is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 that operates as one of 36 federally chartered Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in the Community Futures Program. It delivers flexible business financing and advisory services to small businesses, startups, and not-for-profit organizations in the City and County of Peterborough, Ontario. Core products include Inventory Loans (up to $10,000), Micro Loans (up to $20,000), Expansion Loans (up to $300,000), and the Climate Change and Environment Fund (Green Fund) which lends at prime rate up to $100,000 for sustainability projects. The pricing model is unit-based interest pricing with tiered loan products, and not-for-profit borrowers receive preferential rates as low as Bank of Canada Prime.

The organization is funded primarily through the Government of Canada via FedDev Ontario and the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, with additional operational support from the City and County of Peterborough. In 2023, FedDev Ontario committed nearly $40 million over three years to southern Ontario's CFDCs. Since inception, the organization has invested more than $42 million in 1,300+ small businesses, creating or maintaining over 4,600 jobs in the region. In 2024 alone, it deployed nearly $1.4 million in business loans to 26 entrepreneurs, supporting approximately 200 local jobs.

The go-to-market model is relationship-driven and partnership-led: the organization co-locates with the Business Advisory Centre (assumed from PKED in June 2024), pre-approves microloans for clients of the Innovation Cluster, Fleming College, Trent University, Cleantech Commons/Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, and runs grant programs including Starter Company Plus, Summer Company, and the Community Advancement Program (CAP). Advisory programming includes the Scotiabank-partnered ScaleUP program, the SOAR series, and the Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series. The firm operates with 1–10 employees from its headquarters at 270 George St N in Peterborough's Venture North building.

Name

Community Futures Peterborough

Legal name

Greater Peterborough Business Development Centre Inc.

Website

https://communityfuturespeterborough.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Futures Peterborough is a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation that provides flexible business loans, grants, and advisory services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the City and County of Peterborough, Ontario, funded primarily by the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending and Business Advisory Services

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Affordable Housing Funds (FSANAJAK), Social Impact & Inclusive Finance Funds (FSANAJAH), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Business advisory services
• Community economic development
• Entrepreneurship funding programs
• Nonprofit financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Lending Interest: Community Futures Peterborough provides flexible business loans to small businesses and earns interest income on its loan portfolio. Interest rates vary by loan type: Inventory Loans as low as Prime + 2%, Micro Loans, Expansion Loans up to $300,000 with terms up to 120 months. Not-for-profit organizations may receive rates as low as Prime. The organization also offers the Climate Change and Environment Fund (Green Fund) lending at prime rate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Community Futures Peterborough provides flexible small business financing (Inventory Loans up to $10,000, Micro Loans up to $20,000, Expansion Loans up to $300,000, plus the Climate Change and Environment Green Fund at prime up to $100,000) and complementary advisory services through its Business Advisory Centre. Offerings are rounded out by grant and growth programs including Starter Company Plus, Summer Company, ScaleUP, CANtrade, the Community Advancement Program (CAP) for non-repayable funding, and the ignite100 innovation challenge. All services target entrepreneurs and small businesses in the City and County of Peterborough.

Product overview

Community Futures Peterborough operates as a not-for-profit business development organization offering a unified suite of financial and advisory services. The core offerings include flexible business lending products (Inventory Loans, Micro Loans, Expansion Loans, and the Climate Change and Environment Fund/Green Fund) combined with advisory programs through the Business Advisory Centre. The organization delivers grant programs including Starter Company Plus, Summer Company, and the Community Advancement Program (CAP). Advisory offerings include the ScaleUP program (in partnership with Scotiabank), SOAR for established businesses, and the Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series. Additional services include the ignite100 innovation competition and specialized resources like the Tariff Toolkit. This integrated approach provides entrepreneurs access to funding and advisory services through a single organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Advancement Program (CAP): Non-repayable funding program supporting projects that foster economic stability, job growth, and economic development in the region.
• Climate Change and Environment Fund (Green Fund)
• ScaleUP
• ignite100

Products and services

• Inventory Loan Short-term financing of up to $10,000 for inventory purchases, with repayment periods up to 18 months and interest as low as Prime + 2%. Targeted at small businesses needing working capital for stock and supplies.
• Micro Loan Flexible, accessible business financing up to $20,000 with repayment periods up to 48 months and interest as low as Prime + 2%. Designed for small businesses and startups, with pre-approval pathways for partner program clients.
• Expansion Loan Growth-focused business financing up to $300,000 with repayment periods up to 120 months and interest as low as Prime + 2%. Aimed at businesses ready to expand operations, enter new markets, or invest in capacity.
• Climate Change and Environment Fund (Green Fund) Specialized green financing offering loans at Bank of Canada Prime rate up to $100,000 per project for businesses undertaking carbon-reducing or waste-reducing projects such as energy-efficient upgrades, renewable energy investments, and circular economy initiatives. Available to environmentally focused businesses in the Peterborough region.
• CANtrade Repayable loan program offered in Peterborough and Renfrew Counties to help local businesses adapt to evolving trade landscapes, including tariff and global trade pressures.
• Business Advisory Centre Comprehensive advisory service providing mentorship, expert consultations, business counseling, workshops, and growth planning for businesses at all stages from startup to scaling. Transitioned from PKED to CFP management in June 2024 and was relaunched in September 2024. Co-located with lending services at the Venture North office.
• Starter Company Plus Ontario-funded grant and education program offering up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding plus ongoing mentorship to help entrepreneurs start or grow their business. Available through Community Futures Peterborough as part of the local SBEC delivery.
• Summer Company Government of Ontario signature program providing students with training, mentorship, and grant funding to start and operate their own summer business while gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
• ScaleUP Free transformative advisory program delivered in partnership with Scotiabank to help local businesses grow sustainably through classroom sessions, one-on-one coaching, and customized growth plans. Targets established businesses ready to scale.
• Community Advancement Program (CAP) Non-repayable funding program supporting projects that foster economic stability, job growth, and regional economic development, offering up to $10,000 per project to businesses, not-for-profits, charities, municipalities, and First Nation communities.
• SOAR Limited-edition series for established businesses looking to expand, providing skills-building, connections, and expert guidance for sustainable business growth.
• Entrepreneurship 101 Workshop Series Free workshop series covering practical strategies, resources, and emerging trends for entrepreneurship and small business development, delivered in partnership with Scotiabank and other community partners.
• ignite100 Innovation challenge program offering area businesses the opportunity to compete for significant funding including a 3-year interest-free loan with no payments in year one, plus access to up to $1 million in repayable loans or equity positions. Designed to support business expansion and innovative ventures.
• Tariff Toolkit Resource toolkit designed to help local businesses navigate tariffs and global trade with confidence, manage tariff risks, and adapt to changing trade conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• $42+ million invested in 1,300+ small businesses since 1985
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2024Transitioned Business Advisory Centre operations to Community Futures Peterborough. Previously operated SBEC programs including business plan development, market research, startup validation, and business expansion support.
• Charlotte ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2024Peterborough-based company that hosted the launch of the Climate Change and Environment Fund. Has been investing in environmentally friendly cleaning products since 1994.
• Mega Experience Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2023Local marketing agency that worked with Community Futures Peterborough through a comprehensive rebranding process to reflect the organization's values and commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs.
• ScotiabankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to present the ScaleUP program designed to help local businesses grow. Scotiabank provides funding and support for the advisory program that guides entrepreneurs through sustainable growth strategies.
• Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the KawarthasstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing pre-approval for microloans up to $20,000 for all Innovation Cluster clients to help fund tech startups.
• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of CommercestrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides free six-month Chamber membership to new CFP loan clients, offering access to events and networking opportunities to grow and expand businesses.
• Fleming CollegestrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents in the Global Business Management program are pre-approved for microloans up to $20,000 to kickstart new business ideas.
• Trent UniversitystrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents in the New Venture Planning and Design class are pre-approved for microloans up to $20,000 to support new business ventures.
• Cleantech Commons and Rotary Club of PeterboroughstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerFinalists from the Rotary Environmentalist Innovators Fund are pre-approved for microloans up to $20,000 to grow sustainable business ventures.
• GreenUPstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss provided support and commentary for the Climate Change and Environment Fund launch, highlighting financial pressures businesses face from climate crisis.
• Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement AreastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of TeamPTBO partnership working to deliver programming and advisory services to support area businesses and start-ups.
• Diane Richard (Industry Consultant)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSeasoned industry consultant leading the ScaleUP program with over 25 years of operational experience, helping entrepreneurs develop concrete actionable business plans.
• Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic DevelopmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Community Advancement Program to boost business attraction, investment, retention, and employment in the region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Crown corporation providing financing, advisory, and capital to Canadian SMBs. Operates broader than CFP with national reach, but shares the same core mandate of capital access for businesses underserved by traditional banks.
• Vancity: Canadian values-based financial cooperative serving British Columbia with community lending, advisory, and impact investment products. Broader incumbent in the CDFI/social finance space with overlapping mission of financing underserved SMBs and community development.

Emerging players

• Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC): National network providing women entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and resources across Canada. Overlapping mission with CFP's lending and advisory services, particularly the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy work previously led by CFP's current Executive Director.
• Alterna Savings & Credit Union: Canadian credit union with a community development focus, offering small business lending and advisory services. Comparable in serving SMBs underserved by traditional banks, particularly in Ontario and Northern Ontario communities.

Direct peers

• Futurpreneur Canada: National Canadian non-profit offering financing, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs aged 18-39. Directly comparable lending-plus-advisory model serving Canadian SMBs that may not qualify for traditional bank financing.
• Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation: Another Ontario CFDC in the same 36-CFDC national network, providing near-identical small business lending, advisory, and grant programs in Northumberland County. Highly comparable operating model, and notably the prior employer of CFP's current Executive Director.
• Community Futures Development Corporation of Kawartha Lakes: Sister CFDC serving the adjacent Kawartha Lakes region with the same lending, advisory, and grant products. Directly comparable operating model within the same Ontario CFDC network and immediate geographic proximity to Peterborough.

Regional players

• Community Futures Ontario: Provincial network association representing Ontario's CFDCs, including CFP. Provides coordination, training, and advocacy for the regional CFDCs - directly comparable as the umbrella network for CFP's national program participation.

Others

• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub providing advisory services, programming, and connections for Canadian entrepreneurs. Not a direct lender, but heavily overlaps with CFP's advisory services and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem support.
• Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED): Former operator of the Business Advisory Centre that transitioned to CFP in 2024. Still a strategic partner on the Community Advancement Program, with overlapping regional economic development mandate and shared client base in the Peterborough region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Community Futures Peterborough