Ottawa, ON – February 24, 2021 | Today, Startup Canada and Rural on Purpose, an entrepreneurial support organization specializing in collaboration projects with rural communities, announced their formal partnership created to champion, connect, and support rural entrepreneurs across the country in order to create a more inclusive Canadian startup ecosystem. Joining forces, the two organizations seek to empower entrepreneurs and their communities by connecting them to each other and to a national resource network.
The alliance will include a number of ongoing collaboration projects and program integrations, amplifying each organization’s reach and impact:
Startup Canada Programs:
Rural on Purpose, headed by founder Mary Doyle, will support Startup Canada in identifying and connecting community builders that will lead Startup Canada Communities in rural areas. These rural communities, receiving resources and training from Startup Canada, will support and connect grassroots networks to fuel entrepreneurship ecosystems at a hyperlocal level. The funding for these rural communities will be provided through the Startup Community Empowerment Fund, powered by UPS Canada, Mastercard Canada, and Sovereign Insurance.
During the month of April, Startup Canada will welcome Mary Doyle as a guest host on the THRIVE Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs. Over the course of five episodes, Mary will take a deep-dive into the many facets of rural entrepreneurship across the country – connecting listeners with leading experts, entrepreneurs, and organizations in Canada’s rural startup space.
Rural on Purpose Programs:
Startup Canada will be an anchor partner for Rural on Purpose’s signature networking event E2XCHANGE – a monthly discussion focusing on a key theme for rural founders. As part of this partnership, Startup Canada will have a permanent “virtual lounge” where entrepreneurs will be able to connect with the Startup Canada team to discuss resources and ways to get involved with other programming.
As a seasoned veteran in the Twitter Chat space, Startup Canada will participate as a partner in the monthly ROP Chat – a themed, participant registered Twitter Chat that happens the second Tuesday of every month.
Further, Startup Canada will have a partner section on Rural on Purpose’s free, easy to use membership website which will include key resources, tools, and professional development/networking events for founders.
“Despite experiencing unique challenges to starting up and scaling, rural founders across the country continue to challenge the odds and provide disruptive, thoughtful solutions that, in turn, help to empower their communities,” said Kayla Isabelle, CEO of Startup Canada. “We could not be more excited to partner with Mary and Rural on Purpose on these exciting projects that aim to showcase and support the incredible community of rural entrepreneurs across Canada. As a community, we have identified many gaps in the support available for rural entrepreneurs in Canada – it’s time to walk-the-walk.”
“It’s exciting to be part of an initiative that recognizes rural contribution and impact for what it is – essential to our future,” said Mary Doyle, Founder of Rural on Purpose. “Startup Canada was founded to mobilize entrepreneurship across the country; their work couldn’t be more important than it is today. Rural on Purpose is proud to be a part of that effort.”
Launching February 24th during the Startup Canada Community Summit, this partnership will continue on an ongoing basis for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned!
For more information, 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 startupcan.ca.
About Rural On Purpose
Rural on Purpose is a social purpose business with a global mission to introduce a new era of rural leadership, confidence and prosperity. Rural on Purpose runs a free online membership site and hosts a number of activities to inspire and amplify individual and community impact. Each month, Rural on Purpose publishes a newsletter called “the Rabbit Hole.” They also host a Twitter Chat called ROPchat and run an online networking event for rural leaders called E2XCHANGE. Learn more at www.ruralonpurpose.com.