The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.

What The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. does

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. (TBC) is a not-for-profit Small Business Centre that delivers the Government of Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts of Ontario, Canada. Founded as a member of the 54-centre Small Business Centres Ontario (SBCO) network, TBC provides free 1-on-1 business advisory, consultations, workshops, mentorship, and grant-program administration to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and early-growth small businesses. The organization is led by an Executive Director and three program staff (Marketing & Youth Programming Director, Business Development Advisor, and Northern Ontario Defence Program Coordinator), with a five-member Board of Directors drawn from local stakeholders including the City of North Bay, Canadore College, Kennedy Insurance, Futurpreneur, and The ConnectHers.

TBC's core program portfolio includes Starter Company Plus (free, with grants up to $5,000), Summer Company (free for ages 15-29, with $3,000 in startup funding), Foodpreneur Advantage (a free Start-Up cohort offered four times annually and a paid Scale-Up cohort at $1,500 per participant for up to 20 businesses twice a year), the Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) program supporting SMEs entering Canada's defence supply chain, and the Succession Ontario Planning Hub for exit-ready business owners. Underlying technology is modest: a Zyrosite-hosted marketing website, JotForm for consultation intake, Google Business Profile and Maps listing, Eventbrite for ticketed workshops, and OWNR integration for business registration referrals.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by Government of Ontario grant funding via the SBEC program, with the only direct participant revenue coming from Foodpreneur Scale-Up fees (capped at roughly $60,000 per year across two cohorts of 20 businesses). Nearly all advisory services are delivered free of charge, and the organization explicitly restricts service to residents and businesses located in the Nipissing and Parry Sound regions. The go-to-market motion is community-led: in-person and virtual consultations booked through JotForm, regional events, a curated member directory of 20+ vetted professional service providers, and partnership referrals from co-located programs such as NECO Community Futures, BDC, RBC, and Futurpreneur.

Name

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.

Legal name

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.

Website

https://tbcnps.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. is a not-for-profit Small Business Centre delivering Ontario's SBEC program in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts. It provides free advisory, training, and grant administration to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and early-growth small businesses across the two districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

North Bay

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government of Ontario grant funding: The SBEC (Small Business Enterprise Centre) program is delivered locally by TBC and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario, providing the core operating budget.
2. Program participation fees (Foodpreneur Scale-Up Program): Foodpreneur Scale-Up Program charges $1,500 per person for a 10-week program limited to 20 businesses per cohort, offered twice per year.
3. Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) program funding: Program delivers targeted financial support to SMEs entering the defence sector, providing grants/funding disbursement services to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. (TBC) is a not-for-profit Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) providing free advisory services, training, programs, and resources to entrepreneurs, startups, and early-growth small businesses in Ontario's Nipissing and Parry Sound districts. It delivers and administers several Government of Ontario-funded programs including Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000 grant), Summer Company (up to $3,000 grant), Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO), Foodpreneur Advantage (Start-Up and Scale-Up), and Succession Ontario, alongside 1-on-1 business consultations, workshops, networking events, and downloadable business guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Starter Company Plus Program
• Summer Company Program
• Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) Program
• Foodpreneur Advantage Start-Up Program Free 4-times-per-year program (including online seminars) for early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs developing consumer packaged goods (CPG). Delivered locally by TBC as part of a province-wide collaboration of Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centres, covering regulatory compliance, packaging, labelling, costing, pricing, and branding fundamentals.
• Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up Program Comprehensive 10-week cohort-based program limited to 20 businesses per cohort producing consumer packaged goods with demonstrated high potential to scale. Charged at $1,500 per person, offered twice per year, and delivered locally by TBC as part of a province-wide collaboration of Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centres.
• Succession Ontario Planning Hub Free province-wide initiative funded by the Government of Ontario helping Ontario business owners prepare early for business succession and exit. Includes self-paced learning modules, succession planning roadmaps, valuation resources, readiness assessments, planning checklists, and educational videos. Delivered locally by TBC as a regional partner for business owners 3-5 years before transition.
• 1-on-1 Business Advisory Consultations Free one-on-one consultations delivered in person at TBC's North Bay office (200 McIntyre St E) or virtually. Booked via JotForm intake; advisors provide guidance on starting a business, comprehensive business plan creation, finding funding opportunities, and early-stage next steps.
• Business Basics Guides & Resource Library Free downloadable Business Basics Guides hosted on the TBC resources page, including viability questionnaire, 10 steps to starting a business, incorporation overview, HST, hiring, and IP guidance, plus a curated directory of other resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Workshops and Networking Events Regional workshops (e.g., QuickBooks workshop in Parry Sound ticketed via Eventbrite), the annual Youth Business Showcase, networking events, and the Members Social, providing business training and connection opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• $5,000 grant award to Rise and Recover Therapy upon completion of Starter Company Plus
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

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 flagship, core and minor.

• Small Business Centres Ontario (SBCO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvince-wide membership network of 54 regional Small Business Centres. TBC is a member centre serving Nipissing and Parry Sound; SBCO enables cross-region client referrals and shared E-Learning modules.
• Foodpreneur Advantage (Ontario SBEC collaboration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoodpreneur Advantage is a collaboration of Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centres. TBC is the local delivery partner for both the Start-Up (free, 4x/year) and Scale-Up ($1,500/participant, 2x/year) programs.
• Northern Ontario Defence Opportunities (NODO) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNODO program strengthens Northern Ontario SMEs to serve Canada's defence industry through targeted financial support. TBC hosts a Northern Ontario Defence Program Coordinator dedicated to this initiative.
• Succession Ontario Planning Hub (Government of Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccession Ontario is a free province-wide initiative funded by the Government of Ontario. TBC delivers local access to succession and exit planning resources for Ontario SMB owners 3-5 years before transition.
• City of North Bay (Economic Development Department)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerErin Richmond, the City of North Bay's Economic Development representative, sits on TBC's Board of Directors as Vice-President. The City's Economic Development Department assists with community development projects and business expansion.
• Canadore CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAndrea Jones-Pascoe from Canadore College sits on TBC's Board of Directors as Educational Representative. Canadore College focuses on student success and connects students with community partners to promote entrepreneurship.
• Kennedy Insurance BrokerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChris Bevan, President of Kennedy Insurance, sits on TBC's Board as President. Kennedy Insurance Brokers is a TBC member providing insurance brokerage services.
• TheConnectHersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMelissa Maltais, Founder of The ConnectHers, sits on TBC's Board as Treasurer. The ConnectHers creates opportunities for women entrepreneurs and professionals in the region.
• Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIION is a Regional Innovation Centre assisting entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing companies in Northern Ontario with business development and scaling. Listed as a TBC member.
• PARO Centre for Women's EnterpriseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPARO is a non-profit organization that empowers women entrepreneurs by providing business support services, funding, and networking opportunities. Listed as a TBC member.
• The Forum / Early AI Adoption Lab ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBC promotes and registers entrepreneurs for The Forum's Early AI Adoption Lab Program, a free program offering strategic AI training for women, trans-femme, and non-binary entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC): National network of women's enterprise centres across Canada, providing training, financing access, and mentorship to women entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to TBC's role in the Female Entrepreneurship ecosystem (also relevant given The ConnectHers board seat) and structurally similar as a member-network non-profit.
• Futurpreneur: National non-profit providing startup financing (up to $60K loans) and mentorship to Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18-39. TBC lists Futurpreneur as both a board-affiliated partner (Business Ecosystem Representative) and a member, indicating deep overlap in serving early-stage entrepreneurs with financing + advisory — directly comparable mission and target demographic.
• Community Futures Ontario: Provincial network of 16 Community Futures Development Corporations (including NECO) providing small business loans, coaching, and community economic development across rural Ontario. Directly comparable mission (rural SMB advisory + lending) and federal-government-funded non-profit structure.
• NECO Community Futures Development Corporation: Northern Ontario CFDC (since 1987) offering small business loans and community planning in the Nipissing and Parry Sound regions — the exact service area of TBC. Directly competing for the same entrepreneur cohort with overlapping loan + advisory offerings, making it the most geographically overlapping peer.
• PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise: Ontario-focused non-profit delivering business support, peer lending circles, and networking for women entrepreneurs. Listed as a TBC member with overlapping value proposition (free advisory + funding access for women-led SMBs) and comparable non-profit, government-partnered operating model.
• Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION): Regional Innovation Centre covering Northern Ontario that assists entrepreneurs, startups, and existing companies with business development and scaling. Listed as a TBC member and is one of 17 RICs funded by the Ontario government — directly comparable non-profit, publicly-funded innovation-adjacent advisory model.

Broad incumbents

• Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI): Provincial agency (formerly Ontario Centres of Excellence) delivering innovation programming, commercialization funding, and SME support across Ontario. Comparable in being a province-wide publicly-funded innovation intermediary, with overlapping mandate on commercialization and SME scale-up support.
• Startup Canada: National entrepreneurship-support organization providing programs, resources, and advocacy to Canadian entrepreneurs and SMBs. Comparable non-profit, government-aligned mandate to advance entrepreneurship, but operating at a national policy/awareness level rather than direct advisory delivery.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Crown corporation providing flexible financing, advisory services, and 'smart capital' to Canadian SMBs. Listed as a TBC member (BDC North Bay) and represents a broad incumbent offering overlapping business advisory but at materially larger scale (financing up to $100K+) — a key partner/competitor for entrepreneurs graduating from TBC's grant programs.

Others

• Northern Ontario Angels (NOA): Angel investor network connecting Northern Ontario entrepreneurs with private capital. Listed as a TBC member and represents the natural capital-referral counterparty for TBC's advisory pipeline — directly comparable regional Northern Ontario mandate, with overlap on entrepreneur outreach but distinct financing vs. advisory value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tbcnps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.