Communitech, based in Waterloo, Ontario, is a public-private innovation hub that supports tech businesses as they start, grow, and prosper. Their accelerator program, Fierce Founders Accelerator, is intended to provide companies with tools and resources to scale up their business. One of the program’s eligibility criteria is that the company has at least one female…
London, Ontario is home to several technology-oriented incubators. Innovation hubs such as Western University’s Propel and Fanshawe’s Leap Junction are a great place for startup companies to establish themselves and develop a minimum viable product (MVP), but once a firm reaches a certain size there’s limited structural support. So, what comes next? Where can early-stage…
Less than 16% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are women-owned, yet the full and equal involvement of women in the economy is essential to Canada’s competitiveness. The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) is an initiative funded through Budget 2018 that aims to reduce financial and knowledge barriers among women entrepreneurs. To grow women’s entrepreneurship…
The Bioenterprise Corporation is Canada’s leading agricultural technology commercialization accelerator, dedicated to transforming cutting-edge innovations into commercial success. The company provides strategic connectivity, industry and technical expertise, and customized business advisory services to help advance innovative agri-businesses. Bioenterprise has recently received Ontario government funding which will allow them to increase the support they provide to…
Sault College, located in Sault Ste. Marie, is one of 24 publicly-funded colleges in the province of Ontario and is the largest deliverer of apprenticeship training in northern Ontario. The College has been announced a recipient of research and development funding which will allow them to acquire advanced equipment. This investment will benefit entrepreneurs, businesses,…
New entrants to Ontario’s interactive digital media community must overcome steep knowledge and financial hurdles. There are many obstacles to tackle before software and game developers can launch their first product; this is often a long and complicated process where innovators must tap into several organizations and resources for support. Fortunately, the Interactive Digital Media…
Ontario’s innovation landscape is continuing to grow and transform at a rapid pace. This creates a demand for early-stage, high-growth businesses to have access to incubation space and entrepreneurial expertise that can support the development of competitive products and services in service of both national and international markets. Serving these companies and offering resources for…
Ontario’s innovation ecosystem is growing exponentially. With this growth comes the need for more resources for innovators to develop globally-competitive products and services that shape today’s knowledge-based economy. Access to incubation space and entrepreneurial expertise are two areas of support often requested by young, high-growth businesses, but it’s often difficult for these firms to get…
Small business owners frequently face challenges when scaling their operations. With limited cash flow, most seek financial support for growth projects through banks. However, business owners are often rejected for loans and other financial products because they’re deemed a high-risk borrower. As a result, their business stays small and unable to compete with larger, more…
According to Fortune, 90% of startups fail. This is particularly true in the technology industry where limited working capital and lack of access to crucial business resources (space, talent, mentorship) can cause significant problems. Although the odds are stacked against these innovative new businesses, accessing support networks can substantially improve the chances of long-term success….