Whitehorse, Nov. 10, 2015 | Thanks to a new partnership between Startup Canada, YuKonstruct and co(space), both initiatives of the Yukonstruct Makerspace Society, entrepreneurs now have more access to shared work spaces to take their ideas, projects and businesses to new heights. These entrepreneur hubs are recipients of Startup Canada’s Startup Space Fund.
The announcement comes after a call-for-proposals was issued by Startup Canada in early September to partner with grassroots, entrepreneur-led co-working spaces, incubators, and makerspaces across Canada to create or provide physical spaces for Startup Canada Members to start and grow their businesses.
“The entrepreneurial movement is gaining momentum in Whitehorse and I am thoroughly impressed with the leadership from makers, artisans, entrepreneurs, government, media, and the broader community to make Whitehorse a strong entrepreneurial hub,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada.
“YuKonstruct Makerspace Society is thrilled to be partnering with the Startup Canada family,” said Society President John Glynn-Morris. “Both our makerspace and new coworking space – (co)space – are the first of their kind in the North and they will benefit greatly and contribute a northern perspective to this national network.”
The announcement was made Nov. 7 during Startup Canada’s #EveryEntrepreneur Tour stop in Whitehorse, which connected entrepreneurs with new opportunities to start and grow their companies, and provided a platform for entrepreneurs to voice needs and calls-to-action to advance entrepreneurship in the region.
Access to the YuKontruct Makerspace and (co)space in downtown Whitehorse will be made available to entrepreneurs through the Startup Canada Passport, a component of the Startup Canada Membership Program, which launches in 2016. The spaces were chosen based on regional demand, the innovative nature of the space, and additional benefits provided to Startup Canada Members.
The Startup Canada Startup Space Fund is one of four Startup Canada Investment Funds. As Startup Canada travels the country with its #EveryEntrepreneur Tour, the organization will announce further recipients of the Startup Canada Startup Space Fund, the Startup Canada Retail Startup Fund, Startup Canada Women Entrepreneurship Fund, and the Startup Canada Community Investment Fund.
The Startup Canada Startup Space Fund is supported by Intuit QuickBooks, TruShield Insurance, TELUS and UPS, industry leaders committed to strengthening the national entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada through grassroots startup initiatives.
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Kathryn Forrest
Communications & Marketing Manager, Startup Canada