OTTAWA, October 10th – Export Development Canada – a financial Crown corporation that provides financing, insurance, trade knowledge, and global business connections to help Canadian companies sell and invest abroad – will join Startup Canada on Oct. 18 as a leading partner for the fifth annual Startup Canada Day on the Hill.
Startup Canada Day on the Hill – expected to draw over 2,000 attendees to the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa – is the largest annual confluence of entrepreneurs, innovators, anchor companies, investors, industry leaders, media and government decision-makers. These key players will come together to discuss and promote policies that will support startup and small business growth in Canada, all with the goal of elevating Canada’s ability to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Up-and-coming entrepreneurs will also be inspired to grow and innovate with cutting-edge insights from world-class speakers; have a voice to government on the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada; and, be plugged into national and global networks to find mentors, investors, customers, and support to grow their business.
This year, EDC will share insights on the advantages of exporting, the different routes to global business growth, and also present on the importance of strong corporate sustainability and responsibility for any Canadian company looking to go global. EDC will also co-present the Final Showdown of the Canadian Export Challenge on the main stage featuring a panel of esteemed judges including CBC NextGen Dragon Nicole Verkindt and former Dragon, serial entrepreneur and investor W. Brett Wilson.
“Small enterprises are an important part of Canada’s economic engine and we know that when these companies export, they do better, and the whole economy benefits,” said Benoit Daignault, President and CEO, Export Development Canada. “The reality, however, is that too few of these enterprises engage in business abroad, only about 10 percent of them. To grow that number, companies need support and encouragement at home to spur them to innovate and expand into new markets. Startup Canada Day on the Hill is about bringing that support network together, and we’re very excited to be part of it.”
At Startup Canada Day on the Hill, EDC is working alongside Startup Canada to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to meet with Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Standing Committees and Ministers to discuss the future of Canada as an entrepreneurial nation.
“Startup Canada is proud to partner with EDC to advance the global ambitions and opportunities for our 2.3 million entrepreneur-led businesses,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada. “Through our partnership with EDC, we are breaking new ground for Canada’s entrepreneurship community, building up the pipeline of globally ambitious and connected businesses that can leverage Canada to scale.”
This year, EDC and Startup Canada partnered to support 2,500 entrepreneurs to go global through the Canadian Export Challenge and a series of 1-Day Accelerators in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. At a time of significant shift toward trade diversification and inclusive approaches to trade, the organizations have embarked on a program of support to educate entrepreneurs about Canada’s opportunity through ICT webinars, #StartupChats Twitter conversations, regular features on StartupNews.ca, and continue to explore opportunities to build out the pipeline of global export and expansion-ready businesses.
For more information, please contact:
Maddie Stiles
Media Relations
1-613-627-0787 ext. 105
maddie.stiles@startupcan.ca
About EDC
Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation that helps Canadian companies of all sizes go, grow and succeed beyond Canada’s borders. We are international risk experts, equipping Canadian companies with the tools they need – trade knowledge, financing solutions, insurance and global connections – to take on the world with confidence. EDC also builds financial relationships with foreign buyers to generate opportunities for Canadian companies.
For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.