Ottawa, ON – November 13, 2020 | Startup Canada and Inniskillin, Canada’s first estate winery, officially announced their partnership created to champion Canadian entrepreneurs who are disrupting their industries in thoughtful, creative ways while navigating a post-pandemic economy. The Changemaker’s Initiative will showcase and amplify entrepreneurs who are driving change in various industries from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
“Now, more than ever, we need to champion Canada’s innovative startups and bring attention to our country’s resilient entrepreneurs,” said Kayla Isabelle, CEO of Startup Canada. “We could not be more excited to partner with Inniskillin on this impactful campaign that aims to showcase changemakers from various industries across the country.”
The Changemaker’s Initiative will profile the stories of 12 innovative entrepreneurs from across the country via social channels, Inniskillin product integration, and digital programs such as the Startup Canada Podcast. The chosen entrepreneurs are selected based on how they represent the characteristics of Inniskillin founders Ziraldo and Kaiser, who are known for fundamentally changing the world’s perception of Canadian wine.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Startup Canada to celebrate, elevate and showcase Canada’s disruptive changemakers, just as Inniskillin’s founders, Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, did back in 1975 when they founded Canada’s first estate winery,” said Wendy Montgomery, Vice President of Marketing, Arterra Wines Canada. “As Canada’s original wine startup, we know the determination, perseverance – and swagger, required by entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true. We want to lift up those dreamers and inspire the next generation of changemakers across the country, and we’re incredibly proud to do so with an organization that gives a voice to the startup community.”
The Changemaker’s Initiative will launch on November 17, 2020 and will run through April 2021. Join us in celebrating our 12 Changemaker’s or highlight your own disruptive Canadian entrepreneurs with the hashtag #CheersToChangemakers!
For more information, and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Lauren Hicks
Media Relations, Startup Canada
lauren.hicks@startupcan.ca
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is Canada’s entrepreneurship organization. Startup Canada promotes and supports the success and growth of Canada’s 3.5 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 200,000 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 www.startupcan.ca.
About Inniskillin
Canada’s first estate winery, Inniskillin, is internationally renowned for its award winning wines and for its pioneering role in establishing the Canadian wine industry. On July 31, 1975, its founders, Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, made history when they were given the first winery license in Canada since Prohibition. Inniskillin came into prominence on the global stage with its win at the 1991 Vinexpo, in France, at which the 1989 Vidal Icewine was awarded the highest Grand Prix d’Honneur, changing the way the world sees Canadian wine. Today, Inniskillin has two estate wineries – one in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and one in Oliver, British Columbia, and it sits among the top 50 most admired wine brands in the world. For more information, visit www.inniskillin.com.