OTTAWA, ON, September 10, 2015 – Startup Canada opened applications today for the Startup Canada Community Investment Fund, which invests in high-impact, entrepreneur-driven initiatives that foster new opportunities and greater connectivity of entrepreneurs to support, investment, customers and supply chains.
“As startups and small businesses are the main drivers of job creation and innovation, building entrepreneurial competencies is the imperative,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada. “The Startup Canada Community Investment Fund gives local communities much-needed seed funding to fill gaps in the current support system to help entrepreneurs develop scalable and competitive businesses.”
Applications for the Startup Canada Community Investment Fund are open to official Startup Canada Communities on a bi-annual basis. Startup Sault, Startup Nanaimo, Startup Prince George, Startup Fredericton and Startup Charlottetown were named the first recipients of the Fund in Spring 2015. The funded initiatives included an entrepreneurship conference, development of a co-working space, establishment of an entrepreneurship scholarship, an ecosystem mapping project, and signage to raise awareness of local entrepreneur support.
“The Fund allowed Startup Sault Ste. Marie to spearhead the development of both a Startup Ecosystem Canvas and a shareable infographic for the community,” said Nevin Buconjic, entrepreneur and leader of Startup Sault. “This has helped us to identify all of the resources available locally to entrepreneurs, profile the local startup environment, and help organizations better support it. This investment has already made a positive impact in the Sault as we continue to build a thriving startup community.”
Applications for the second round of investment are due October 7. Successful applicants will be awarded with up to $3,000 per project. Fund recipients will be announced in Autumn 2015 during Startup Canada’s #EveryEntrepreneur Tour, which will support and celebrate entrepreneurs and community builders through announcements, training bootcamps, launch parties, and pitch contests across the country.
The Fund is supported by TruShield Insurance, Intuit Canada, UPS and TELUS, industry leaders committed to strengthening the national entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada through grassroots startup communities.
For more information on the Startup Canada Community Investment Fund, visit startupcan.ca/community-investment-fund.
Press contact:
Kathryn Forrest
Communications and Marketing Manager, Startup Canada
613-627-0787 x106
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is a grassroots network of entrepreneurs working together to build an environment for entrepreneurship in Canada. Through online platforms, grassroots Startup Communities and cross-sector initiatives, Startup Canada is advancing entrepreneurial momentum and a culture of entrepreneurship, as the voice of Canadian entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.