City launches SMARTstart for aspiring or new businesses

February 3, 2025

The City of Spruce Grove is a launching a new program, SMARTstart, for entrepreneurs in the community! We are fortunate to announce this program’s involvement in our community. 

SMARTstart is an entrepreneurial training program offering tools, mentorship and business planning. It is all about providing real-world business skills and access to the tailor-made advice you need to help set your business up for success. This program has three components: online learning, in-person/virtual workshops, and mentorships.

  • Small businesses are vital to the local economy, making up 99% of businesses in most Canadian cities. However, only 35% survive the first five years.
  • Business owners with entrepreneurship education or prior experience have an 80–90% chance of success with a new start up business.

“Spruce Grove has a thriving and welcoming business community and the SMARTstart program will help new and aspiring businesses receive valuable tools and resources, along with mentoring from local entrepreneurs to set their businesses up for success,” said Mayor Jeff Acker, City of Spruce Grove.

This program costs $295, which provides valuable tools, mentorship, and business planning over 8 months to help entrepreneurs succeed.

Application information 

Applications are now available for the upcoming SMARTstart cohort beginning late March/early April 2025. 

Applications will close on Friday, February 28, 2025. 

If you are a small business owner in your first three years or an entrepreneur who needs their ideas transformed into action, apply now!

Questions?

Want more information? Contact Monique at mpelletier@sprucegrove.org or at (780) 962-7634 Ext. 519