FedDev Ontario recently announced their continued support for Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (Northumberland CFDC). The CFDC – a not-for-profit organization that delivers financing and business strategy to entrepreneurs – will receive a $1.1M expansion to their original pilot project which supported 22 tech startups in the area. The program also created 53 new jobs…
The state of entrepreneurship is changing globally as more youth are taking self-employment options over working for established organizations. The statistics, provided in July’s Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report, are clear that this trend is significant and shows a shift in the way that youth across the world are approaching the labour market. Youth are…
Mentor Works’ President and Founder, Bernadeen McLeod, knows that being a woman in business is no easy endeavour. The Canadian government has stepped in to support some of the most challenging aspects of being a women in a leadership position, particularly surrounding small business financing and finding a strong female mentor that can provide inspiration…
The Government of Canada offers a range of export-focused funding programs to support small businesses who are poised for international growth. Recently, the federal government announced more support for export market development activities, including renewed support for the trade commissioner services. Trade Commissioner Service – Export Market Development Services Prime Minister Harper recently announced expansion…
Technology companies are constantly innovating and transforming ideas into exciting new products and services. The Ontario technology sector is growing substantially with companies developing new products, and according to Invest in Ontario the IT sector here is the second largest cluster after California. Ontario’s IT cluster is centred on Kitchener-Waterloo, a region host to a…
In an effort to advance the Canadian economy, Premier Kathleen Wynne has announced that Ontario government funding will be provided to 11 organizations that support early-stage social enterprises through the Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund. Social enterprises are organizations that apply business/commercial strategies to capitalize on improvements in social, environmental and economic fields. Social enterprises do…
In 2013, the Accelerator Centre (AC) in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario piloted a program, called JumpStart, to mentor startups and entrepreneurs.This year, the program receives a full launch alongside $8M in funding. The AC JumpStart program is a four-year partnership between the Accelerator Centre and three post-secondary institutions: Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier…
In autumn 2013, the Federal Government launched a five-year, $100 million western Canada funding program called the Western Innovative Initiative (WINN). This business funding initiative supports small and medium-sized businesses in western Canada who are dedicated to commercialize innovative, technology-based products, processes, and services while enabling company growth. The WINN program intends to stimulate greater…
BrightLane is a community resource for Toronto entrepreneurs. Through shared workspaces, BrightLane allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to work together out of a historic brick and beam building in the cool location of King Street West in Downtown Toronto, Ontario. After successfully graduating from an incubator or accelerator, businesses come here to grow their business to…
Investing in Regional Diversification (IRD) program is offered through FedDev Ontario and is focused on providing financial support to not-for-profit organizations that have the capabilities to develop regional economic opportunities that diversify the economy and result in the creation of new jobs. Who is eligible to apply for this Canadian government funding program? The FedDev…