Faster Forward Summit

The new Faster Forward Summit Program is designed to help existing small to medium-sized enterprises in Northumberland enhance their business during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Summit Program has been developed to support existing growth stage businesses.  It is a formal membership program that will provide existing established businesses with targeted development resources to assist in business expansion. The goal of the program is to help these businesses reach 1 million+ dollars in sales. This program will promote a culture of sharing best practices and ideas between members when appropriate.

Members must support the concept of "Business Helping Business."

Building on the success of the Faster Forward Business Success Coaching program (more
than 100 businesses served and 89% retention rate), the Summit Program will provide a
natural next step for ongoing support. This new addition will strengthen Northumberland
County’s Small Business Service model by further emphasizing business sustainability (due
to Covid), retention and job growth.  

Criteria

• Typically 2+ years in business
• $250,000+ in sales
• 2+ employees
• Goals to expand (either; regionally, provincially, nationally, globally)
• Proven business model, history of increasing sales, plan to create jobs

Program includes

• Peer-to-Peer President Circle best practice roundtables (virtual)
• Coaching (virtual)
• Micro growth grants 
• I-Plan: Planning & Prioritizing workshop
• Digital assessments/development
• Connect to student placement program
• Targeted online education
• B2B collaborations
• External funding notifications
• Membership communication platform

Some exceptions may apply at discretion of Program Coordinator.

Program Cost: $199 plus HST annual fee. (Payment will be requested following application based on eligible application. Applicant will be notified by Program Coordinator).  Program fees will be used to support a youth entrepreneur micro-grant. 

Program application