Frontenac Business Services

What Frontenac Business Services does

Frontenac Business Services is a not-for-profit community economic development organization headquartered at 5062 Rd. 38, Unit 8, Harrowsmith, Ontario, that supports entrepreneurs and small business owners across Frontenac County. Originally established in 2003 as the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) and rebranded under its current name in 2017, the organization operates as one of 37 Community Futures Development Corporations in Southern Ontario, funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by approximately five to six professionals including Executive Director Anne Prichard (who joined at founding in 2003), Business Advisors Shaunis Sakell and Jason Brown, a dual-role CPA-qualified Office Administrator/Business Advisor (Lauren Reid), and office administration staff.

The organization's offering is a single integrated service line centered on rural small-business development. Free and confidential business consulting (business planning, coaching, mentoring, networking, workshops, and assistance accessing third-party funding programs) is paired with two loan products: a Commercial Loan of up to $300,000 for established businesses and an IDEA Loan of up to $25,000 with no application fees, free counselling, a 60-month maximum term and no pre-payment charges. Both loan decisions are made by an internal Investment Committee/board on the basis of business-plan strength and demonstrated community impact, and the organization also administers a loan appeals process. During COVID-19 the organization deployed $1,671,799 of Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) support across 39 businesses, maintaining 74 jobs. Documented client outcomes include expansions to 700 weekly home deliveries (Limestone Organic Creamery), a 5,600 sq ft retail build-out (Maple Country Home & Farm), a 42-kitchen mobile fleet (Mobile Kitchens Canada), 20–23 resident retirement capacity (Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence), 8 cottage fractional-ownership resort (Frontenac Shores), 17-guest B&B capacity (The Blue Moose), and artisan operations across cheese, chocolate, cured meats, recording, and sustainable fashion.

The business model rests on a combination of (i) federal core funding through FedDev Ontario and (ii) interest income from the loan portfolio, both of which are reinvested into community programming. The organization does not publish financial statements. Distribution is regional — direct in-person, phone, and virtual consultations with clients physically located in the County of Frontenac — supplemented by Coffee & Conversation pop-ups across Sydenham, Sharbot Lake and surrounding communities and an annual general meeting. Marketing is conducted via a comprehensive website, newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (Meet the Makers series), workshops, and partner-led channels. Pricing to clients is fully subsidized: advisory services are free and loans carry flexible rates set on a case-by-case basis. The strategic partnership network spans municipal governments (County of Frontenac and four townships), regional economic development bodies (Kingston Economic Development Corporation), national lenders (Business Development Bank of Canada, Futurpreneur Canada), grant-makers (Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Community Foundation for Kingston and Area), agricultural and sustainability partners (Canadian Agricultural Partnership, National Farmers Union, Frontenac Arch Biosphere, Agricultural Adaptation Council), and digital/program partners (Digital Main Street, Launch Lab, Southeastern Ontario Angel Network, Eastern Ontario Development Fund), together forming the organizational backbone of its service delivery.

Name

Frontenac Business Services

Legal name

Frontenac Business Services

Website

https://frontenacbusiness.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Frontenac Business Services is a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation in Frontenac County, Ontario, providing free business consulting and loan financing (up to $300,000) to small businesses and entrepreneurs, funded by FedDev Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Lending & Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Independent Venture Debt Funds / Platforms (FSANAIAB)

Keywords

• Small business loans
• Business consulting services
• Community economic development
• Rural business financing
• Entrepreneur support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrowsmith

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. FedDev Ontario Funding: Funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. This is a community-driven economic development initiative.
2. Loan Interest Income: Revenue generated from interest on commercial loans provided to businesses in Frontenac County, with flexible financing solutions up to $300,000 and IDEA loans up to $25,000.
3. Free Business Support Services: Free business consulting, coaching, networking, and resources provided to local entrepreneurs as part of the Community Futures program mandate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Frontenac Business Services is a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation that provides free, confidential business consulting and coaching to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Frontenac County, Ontario. It complements these advisory services with two loan products: a flexible Commercial Loan Financing product offering up to $300,000 for new and existing businesses, and the IDEA Loan offering up to $25,000 for smaller financing needs. The organization also connects clients to third-party provincial and federal funding opportunities and operates a formal loan appeals process.

Product overview

Frontenac Business Services is a not-for-profit organization (formerly Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation) that operates as a single integrated service offering centered on business development support. The organization provides a unified portfolio of free confidential business consulting services combined with loan financing products. The core offerings include Business Information & Consulting (free one-on-one consultations, business planning, mentoring, and workshops) paired with loan products: Commercial Loan Financing up to $300,000 for established businesses and the IDEA Loan up to $25,000 for smaller investments. Additional services include access to third-party funding opportunities and a loan appeals process. All services are focused on supporting entrepreneurs in Frontenac County to start, grow, and maintain businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IDEA Loan: An Idea Loan product offering up to $25,000 with quick turnaround, no application fees, and free business and financial counselling.

Products and services

• Business Information & Consulting Free and confidential one-on-one business consultations providing resources, coaching, and support including business planning, networking, workshops, mentoring, cash flow projections, and promotion assistance for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Frontenac County.
• Commercial Loan Financing Flexible commercial loan financing of up to $300,000 for new and existing businesses in Frontenac County, with personalized solutions based on the strength of the business plan and community impact.
• IDEA Loan Small business loan product offering up to $25,000 with quick turnaround, no application fees, free business and financial counselling, maximum 60-month term with payments as low as $542/month, and no pre-payment charges. Funds can be used for investing, start-up costs, equipment, inventory, working capital, and marketing.
• Funding Opportunities Information and connections to third-party provincial and federal funding opportunities including FedDev Ontario, Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Canada-Ontario Job Grant Program, Eastern Ontario Development Fund, Starter Company Plus, and other programs.
• Loan Appeals Process Formal process for applicants to appeal declined loan decisions, allowing them to submit a new improved application package or make written appeals to the Executive Director.

Quantifiable outcome

• 39 businesses helped with $1,671,799 in RRRF support during COVID-19, maintaining 74 jobs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Community FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of 67 Community Futures Development Corporations. Frontenac Business Services is one of 37 CFDCs in Southern Ontario.
• County of FrontenacmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting economic development initiatives in the region including Frontenac Islands, Central Frontenac, North Frontenac, and South Frontenac townships.
• Kingston Economic Development CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development organization; partner in delivering programs like Starter Company Plus and supporting regional business development.
• Kingston Frontenac Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing resources and access to information for local entrepreneurs and businesses.
• National Farmers UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural organization partner supporting food and beverage sector businesses in the region.
• Frontenac Arch BiosphereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO-designated biosphere reserve offering programs and support for sustainable development in the region.
• Canadian Agricultural PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal-provincial-territorial initiative strengthening agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
• Launch LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne-stop shop for technology-based startups and growing companies in the region.
• Ontario East Economic Development CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes Eastern Ontario as a centre for investment and economic activity.
• Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Health UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal health unit providing food safety information and regulations for food premises and food product businesses.
• Digital Main StreetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping main street businesses achieve digital transformation; introduced to clients for pandemic pivots.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Community Futures Huron: A Southern Ontario CFDC providing small business loans, coaching, and community economic development to Huron County. One of the same 37 CFDCs operating in Southern Ontario as Frontenac, with virtually identical mandate and product set.
• Futurpreneur Canada: National non-profit providing financing, mentoring, and support to Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18-39. Overlaps directly with Frontenac's lending-plus-coaching model for early-stage businesses, though Futurpreneur focuses on youth entrepreneurship nationally.
• Community Futures Greater Trail: A Community Futures Development Corporation in British Columbia offering the same suite of small business loans, advisory, and rural economic development services under the national CF Program. Directly comparable as a sibling CFDC operating with similar mandate, products, and structure.
• Community Futures Northumberland: Another Southern Ontario CFDC delivering small business financing, advisory, and rural development services to Northumberland County. Closely comparable in geography (adjacent Eastern Ontario region), structure, and product offering.

Regional players

• Ontario East Economic Development Commission: Regional economic development commission promoting Eastern Ontario as a centre for investment and business activity. Comparable in mandate to attract and grow businesses in the region, but operates at the broader Eastern Ontario level rather than a single county.
• Launch Lab: One-stop shop for technology-based startups and growing companies in the Kingston region, and an existing Frontenac partner. Comparable in supporting early-stage founders with mentorship and connections, though more technology-focused and not a direct lender.
• Kingston Economic Development Corporation: Frontenac's regional economic development partner based in Kingston, providing business support, programming (e.g., Starter Company Plus), and regional development. Comparable mission and adjacent geography, though focused on the broader Kingston catchment rather than rural Frontenac.

Broad incumbents

• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Canada's federal development bank providing business loans, advisory, and capital to Canadian SMBs. Comparable as a federally-backed institution combining financing with consulting, but operating nationally and at materially larger scale than Frontenac's local CFDC role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPthQF5eH2-8T_xgn6PgOgA
• Facebookfacebook.com/frontenacbusinessservices
• Instagraminstagram.com/frontenacbusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frontenacbusiness

Compliance1 record

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 Frontenac Business Services