New Support Program Launches for Businesses Ready to Scale

Media Release by Community Futures Peterborough:

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) and the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) are proud to partner with Scotiabank to announce the launch of SOAR, a brand new, cohort program designed for established businesses that are ready to expand or scale their operations. 

With limited spots available each month, business owners can now apply to be accepted into individual cohorts. Successful applicants will gain access to expert-led workshops tailored to the challenges and opportunities that growing businesses face. The SOAR Series will equip participants with real-world next steps and strategic direction to stay competitive and expand in an evolving market.

The free SOAR Series will begin this September and run for four months. It will provide successful applicants with access to in-depth, specialized programming delivered by external consultants and CF Peterborough staff. 

Each month in the Fall of 2025, SOAR will focus on a critical area of business development that has been determined by the needs of businesses we are seeing in our community. 

Businesses may apply for as many months as they feel they require support in:

September 2025 – Marketing Mastery and Pitching for Growth
These four sessions will feature interactive workshops led by marketing, branding, and communication experts, including Rosalea Terry, Erika Eileen, and Kyle MacDonald, each bringing unique perspectives and toolkits to help entrepreneurs craft and communicate their story with impact.

October 2025 – Business Development and Sales
These sessions will be led by Jason Fiorotto, a highly successful marketing and sales leader with over 25 years of experience working with companies ranging from private equity-backed startups to Fortune 50 global brands. This cohort will focus on building the systems and strategies that drive consistent revenue growth. Business owners will learn how to identify and qualify leads, strengthen their sales conversations, and close deals with confidence. These sessions will also explore how to build a sustainable business development pipeline that supports long-term growth and scalability.

November 2025 – Cross-Border Expansion and E-Commerce
For companies looking to expand into new provinces or sell across international borders, these sessions will help to master the logistics, digital tools, and market entry strategies required for expansive growth. Business owners will also learn how to optimize their e-commerce presence, from choosing the right platforms to navigating shipping, compliance, and customer experience across borders.

December 2025 – Selling, Acquiring, and Succession Planning
These sessions will focus on covering the key aspects of transitioning a business, whether through sale, purchase, or succession. They will be led by business succession planning experts Michael Riseley and Nicole Truman and will focus on all aspects of a business transition, including valuation, sale, acquisition, and succession. Businesses will learn how to transition in tax-efficient ways and hear about various transition strategies for a range of diverse businesses. 

The SOAR Series is open to businesses located in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County, including Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. The sessions will rotate across locations to ensure inclusive access for urban and rural entrepreneurs alike.

Thanks to a partnership with Scotiabank, the SOAR program is free to all successful applicants. Businesses are encouraged to apply early due to the limited cohort sizes. For more information or to apply, visit the SOAR webpage.