Ottawa, ON – August 8, 2022 | Export Development Canada (EDC) and Startup Canada have announced a multi-year partnership to provide long-term, sustainable support to Canada’s entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses with a global mindset.

“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 bring Canada to the global stage.” said Kayla Isabelle, CEO, Startup Canada. “And it is critical we share their stories of grit and determination to inspire more globally minded entrepreneurs to engage in the international playground.”

“Small-and medium-sized companies are a vital part of Canada’s economic engine. At EDC, we recognize that we can make the greatest impact by providing a coordinated network of support to help entrepreneurs reach and diversify into new markets,” said Julie Pottier, Senior Vice-President, Small Business, Partnerships and Head of Insurance, EDC. “Our strategic partnership with Startup Canada has deepened over the past four years, enabling us to support a greater number of small businesses and we look forward to witnessing the benefits this partnership brings to Canadian companies and Canada more broadly.”

EDC works with the understanding that sustainable support is key to the success of Canadian companies and to Canada’s economic growth. As a pillar of support in Canadian entrepreneurship, EDC continues to seek new ways to make tangible impact and progress toward starting and growing global businesses in Canada.

• With support from EDC, Startup Canada is ready to offer even more direct support to entrepreneurs who are actively looking to expand their business globally through the Startup Global program. The program will include professional support from a network of export advisors, a series of digital and in person pitch competitions, and educational initiatives throughout the year. This free program recognizes the importance of exporting to the Canadian economy, celebrates those making waves in the global marketplace, and empowers founders to take their ventures to the international stage.
• Through Startup Gov, EDC is working alongside Startup Canada with the goal to provide entrepreneurs with a sightline into trade and export promotion, and the opportunity to engage with both private and public sector leaders to support them in their global journey. Rooted in the importance of amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs to government, Startup Gov strives to create a space where entrepreneurs can work in partnership with government to create the conditions necessary for entrepreneurial success not just domestically but also internationally.
• EDC and Startup Canada both believe in the importance of supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through Startup Women, roughly 5,690 women entrepreneurs are supported annually through mentorship and advisory support, industry advisory circles, workshops, community programming and curated resources. Because when you support women, you support a nation.
• In partnership with EDC, Startup Canada’s grassroots network from across Canada, that fuels a culture and environment for entrepreneurship at the local and industry level, will continue to scale across every Province and Territory over the next 3 years through Startup Canada’s Community network.

Startup Canada and EDC are here for small business owners and early-stage entrepreneurs to support building the global business of their dreams. Discover all of Startup Canada’s entrepreneur support programs and get plugged into the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For media inquiries:

Kristal Felea

Managing Director, Startup Canada

kristal.felea@startupcan.ca

About EDC

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC has the financial products and knowledge Canadian companies need to confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk and grow their business as they go from local to global. Together, EDC and Canadian companies are building a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable economy for all Canadians. 

For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-800-229-0575 or visit www.edc.ca.

About Startup Canada

Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re here to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada. Since our inception in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 122,000 entrepreneurs annually and an ever-growing grassroots community network from coast to coast to coast. Through our flagship and digital programs, we provide guidance, eliminate barriers, and champion the needs of each and every entrepreneur to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada supports entrepreneurs in starting up and scaling up to ultimately make Canada the best place to start and build a business. For more information, visit https://www.startupcan.ca/.