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

SSUP is designed for school-aged youth in Grades 6–12 within the Saugeen Connects catchment area, which encompasses the Town of Minto, Township of Wellington North, Town of Hanover, Municipality of South Bruce, and Municipality of Brockton. The SSUP program provides them with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and experience to run their own business during the summer. Through start-up funding and five hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, students learn essential 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.

Program participant Gavin Kaastra-Penner, founder of Dough-pamine, shared, “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 diverse 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 also had opportunities to take their businesses into the community by participating in local fairs, markets and events. These experiences allowed them to put their new skills into practice, interact with customers and gain valuable hands-on experience running their businesses.

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, providing local youth with valuable opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial skills, explore their ideas and gain hands-on experience. Their investment 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 extends its sincere appreciation to 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

Friends of the Program:  Formosa Lions

For more information on the program participants and sponsors visit saugeenconnects.com/youth.