OTTAWA, CANADA – January 24, 2024 – Today, Startup Canada has announced the locations and dates for their 2024 Startup Canada Tour, a multi-stop national in-person event series connecting early stage entrepreneurs with ecosystem support organizations and industry experts to drive their businesses forward.
Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, this year’s Tour will touch down in four Canadian cities – kicking off in Winnipeg on April 18, then stopping in Langley on May 15, Moncton on September 17, with a hybrid final stop in Kitchener-Waterloo on October 30.
At each stop, attendees can expect inspiring keynotes, engaging panels, and actionable workshops on the Mainstage. Including a keynote presentation from Meti Basiri, CEO and Co-Founder of ApplyBoard, at their Kitchener-Waterloo stop, workshops from UPS and the Maker’s Collective, and panel discussions with Mastercard. Each stop will also feature expert advising through the Ask the Expert Lounge, connections with local and national support organizations, and curated networking and resource sharing.
“Last year, Startup Canada Tour gave us the opportunity to connect in-person with early stage Canadian entrepreneurs and ecosystem support organizations across the country. We were able to hear about the unique opportunities and challenges facing business owners in each region, as well as the things that unite entrepreneurs nationally,” says Kayla Isabelle, CEO of Startup Canada. “This year, touching down in four new cities, our goal is to continue collaborating across the ecosystem with local, regional, and national players.”
At each Startup Canada Tour stop, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in the Startup Global “Pop-up Pitch” Competition for the opportunity to win a cash prize of $3,000 and a spot in the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale in Kitchener-Waterloo, where they can compete for a $70,000 cash prize pool!
“Last year’s Startup Canada Tour was such an amazing experience,” states Paul Gaspar, Small Business Director for UPS Canada. “Thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs from across the country connected to learn from each other and from industry partners about supply chain efficiency, growing in global markets, funding, and where to get the support they need.”
The 2024 Startup Canada Tour is presented in partnership with UPS, with program support from Scotiabank and the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), with featured panels from Mastercard in Langley, Moncton, and Kitchener-Waterloo, and custom workshops from the Maker’s Collective in Winnipeg and Langley. Organizations interested in learning more about Startup Canada Tour partnership opportunities can contact partnerships@startupcan.ca
“In 2023, joining the Halifax and Calgary Tour stops was the single best investment we made in our business,” shares Jeff Mitchell, co-owner of the Maker’s Collective. “In 2024, we are thrilled to be joining Startup Canada to deliver workshops in Winnipeg and Langley. Because we know that the Tour provides an unmatched opportunity to build new relationships with entrepreneurs and organizations from across the country!”
Early bird passes for Startup Canada Tour – are available now until March 28, 2024. Visit startupcanadatour.ca to learn more about Startup Canada Tour and purchase a pass for a stop near you!
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Media Contact
Jocelyn Courneya, Startup Canada
jocelyn.courneya@startupcan.ca
Startup Canada is Canada’s entrepreneurship organization. Startup Canada promotes and supports the success and growth of Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs, with a mandate to foster economic growth, competitiveness, and prosperity through entrepreneurship. Since launching, Startup Canada’s programming has directly supported more than 300,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots Startup Community organizations. Working with over 750 ecosystem partners, including accelerators, incubators, research parks, educational institutions, economic development agencies, associations, and government programs, Startup Canada serves entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, industries, and stages of development, with a network reflective of Canada’s diverse population. Learn more at startupcan.ca.