Bruce Croxon, Ilse Treurnicht, Jeff Cates, and more add voices to Startup Canada Innovation Forum
Toronto – May 18, 2017 – Industry executives, high-growth entrepreneurs and government representatives came together in Toronto today at the Startup Canada Innovation Forum to share and spread ideas on the role of industry in supporting the growth of Canada’s startup and small business community, which accounts for 98 per cent of all firms in Canada and 87 per cent of all new jobs.
Startup Canada CEO Victoria Lennox provided attendees with exclusive insights into the domestic and global startup ecosystem, and established a call to action to Canada’s private sector and government institutions to work in partnership to support the next generation of high-growth companies.
“As Canada looks forward to the next 150 years of entrepreneurship and innovation, it will be the businesses that start and scale today that will determine the future of Canada’s long-term global competitiveness,” said Lennox. “To create a supportive environment for these companies today, and to foster success in a more integrated global economy tomorrow, anchor companies and government must play a more dynamic role as buyers, testers, first adopters, investors, and partners creating connections for entrepreneurs to global supply chains.”
Speakers including Bruce Croxon, Managing Partner of Round 13 Capital, Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of the MaRS Discovery District, The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Anthony Lacavera, Chairman of Globalive Holdings, and Jeff Cates, CEO of Intuit Canada also added their insights and shared best practices for industry-government-entrepreneur collaboration.
“Nurturing the next generation of high-growth startups will require a new era of open dialogue and close collaboration between business leaders, governments and entrepreneurs,” said Jeff Cates, president of Intuit Canada. “Together, we can empower bold, talented and brilliant entrepreneurs. We’re thrilled to be part of this nationwide movement to equip small business owners with the support, tools and resources they need to thrive long-term and transform Canada into the hotbed of innovation we all know it has the potential to be.”
“Our government is committed to supporting hardworking Canadian entrepreneurs and SMEs as they work to form profitable relationships with anchor firms across Canada,” added the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. “These partnerships create jobs here at home, and open up new opportunities to better access global markets and supply chains. And through a number of actions in Budget 2017, we are taking the next step in positioning Canada as a world-leading source of innovative companies, able to compete with the best in the world. ”
The Startup Canada Innovation Forum was presented by Startup Canada’s Private Sector Leadership Advisory Committee, which brings together senior executives from non-competitive industries servicing small businesses and entrepreneurs in Canada. It members include Intuit Canada, TruShield Insurance, Scotiabank, Mastercard Canada, and Rogers Communications.
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About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s entrepreneurs. Through flagship programs, digital platforms, and cross sector partnerships between entrepreneurs, private sector, and government, Startup Canada offers training, resources, and a peer network to give every entrepreneur equal opportunity for success. As members of Startup Canada, entrepreneurs are championed by the community and are given a national voice to media, industry and government. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.