Student Start Up Program closes with 38 businesses launched

NEUSTADT – After a seventh summer, Saugeen Connects is celebrating the 2026 Saugeen Student Start Up Program (SSUP), where 40 local youth launched 38 businesses and gained experience as young entrepreneurs.

SSUP is for school-aged youth in Grades 6 to 12 within the Saugeen Connects catchment area (Minto, Wellington North, Hanover, South Bruce and Brockton). 

The SSUP program helps them develop the skills, confidence and experience to run their own business during the summer, officials state. 

Through start-up funding and five hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, students learn business and soft skills, including customer service, budgeting, marketing, artificial intelligence and creating a successful business booth. 

“SSUP gives young entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to turn their ideas into a real summer businesses,” officials continue in a release. 

Participant and Dough-pamine founder Gavin Kaastra-Penner said: “The virtual programs really taught me a lot and helped me grow my business.”

Fellow entrepreneurs Alexander and Xavier Ellis, who launched Double Edge Sharpening, added: “We would recommend the SSUP program to other students. It is very hard to start a business without any money, and this program has helped my brother and I get our feet off the ground.”

This year’s student businesses offered a mix of products and services including handmade jewelry, organic produce, skate sharpening, babysitting, lawn care, nail services, baking, tutoring, custom stickers and other innovative ventures.

Throughout the summer students had opportunities to take their businesses into the community by participating in local fairs, markets and events, allowing them to put their new skills into practice, interact with customers and gain valuable hands-on experience. 

The Saugeen Connects committee expressed its appreciation to the sponsors who continue to make the Saugeen Student Start Up Program possible. 

This year, sponsors invested $26,050 in the program, which officials say reflects a strong commitment to education, innovation and community growth and has played an important role in helping SSUP students turn their ideas into successful summer ventures. 

Saugeen Connects is an economic development partnership between Brockton, South Bruce, Hanover, Minto, Wellington North and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

The program is made possible through support from member municipalities and private-sector sponsors. 

Saugeen Connects thanks all of this year’s sponsors:

– Five Star Sponsors; 

– County of Wellington; 

– Township of Wellington North; 

– Grey County; 

– Bruce County; 

– Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society; 

– Hanover Raceway; 

– Saugeen Economic Development Corporation; 

– Blessings To You Centre; 

– Live By Design Immigration Services; 

– Mildmay-Carrick Optimist Club; 

– Walkerton Legion; 

– CMR Insurance – Daniel & Melanie Craig Memorial Tournament; 

– Three Star Sponsors; 

– Hanover Lions Club; 

– HIPP Entrepreneur (Hanover’s Innovative People Program); 

– Walkerton District Optimist Club; 

– Harriston Legion; 

– Teeswater Kinsmen; 

– 88.7 The River Community Radio; 

– BJ Industries Inc.; 

– Hanover Rotary Club; 

– One Star Sponsors; 

– Minto Chamber of Commerce; 

– Hanover Chamber of Commerce; 

– Clifford Rotary Club; 

– South Bruce Community & Business Association; 

– Mildmay Chamber of Commerce; 

– Buddsteel Architectural Products Ltd.; 

– Walkerton Kinsmen Club; 

– Teeswater Swans; 

– Palmerston Lions Club; 

– Harriston Kinsmen Club; and

– Friends of the Program:  Formosa Lions. 

For more information visit saugeenconnects.com/youth.