The Startup Canada Tour rolled into Moncton on September 17th for its third stop of the year, bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders from across Atlantic Canada. It was a day packed with insightful discussions, actionable advice, and moments of inspiration for business owners at every stage of their journey. Here are some highlights from Moncton’s stop:
The day kicked off with opening remarks from Jenn Juby, Managing Director at Startup Canada where she highlighted the organization’s work to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada.
“Since 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 130,000 entrepreneurs annually and an ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem support network from coast to coast to coast.”
This was followed by a powerful keynote from Yves Boudreau, CEO of CareerBeacon.
From First Client to First Million: Yves Boudreau’s Decade of Determination
Yves shared his entrepreneurial journey—a story of resilience, setbacks, and eventual triumph. His career began in the creative world of music, art, and design. A serial entrepreneur, he built his first website in 1997 and went on to other ventures, working along the way with major brands like MTV, Universal music, and Nestle. His early successes were followed by personal bankruptcy in 2006, a stark reminder of the highs and lows that entrepreneurs often face.
Yves rebuilt his career through hard work, acquiring CareerBeacon in late 2021, and transforming it into a modernized talent acquisition platform. His key takeaway for the audience? “Read at least 10 books. I’m a competitive person and I want to win at everything.” His message resonated deeply: perseverance, learning from failure, and never giving up are essential qualities for every entrepreneur.
Emerging Technologies and the Future of Small Business
The panel on emerging technologies saw industry leaders discuss how AI, cybersecurity, and tech innovation are shaping the future of business. The panel stressed the importance of cybersecurity, especially for small businesses that often overlook this crucial aspect.
A key insight came from Dr. James Stewart, who emphasized the need for authenticity and unique technology: “Success depends on how you measure it, and you must ensure your technology is distinctive, because investors are always watching.” Kathryn Lockhart added, “Atlantic Canada is the best province to start a business, but knowing how to apply AI and regulate it will be vital for growth.”
Shipping Made Easy: From Figuring It Out to Getting It Done
The Shipping Made Easy session with Paul Gaspar of UPS offered valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the logistics of getting their products to market. Key takeaways included the importance of advance planning to save both time and money, clearly defining shipping responsibilities, and utilizing resources like the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) SME toolkit for shipping guidance.
The session emphasized the significance of proper packaging, keeping customers informed throughout the process, and offering competitive shipping options. Focusing on the lifetime value of customers, rather than just the transactional value, was highlighted as a strategy to foster repeat business and long-term success.
From Idea to Revenue: Jeff Mitchell’s Guide to Experimentation
Jeff Mitchell, founder of Lane Two, took the stage to discuss how entrepreneurs can move from idea to revenue by embracing experimentation. He emphasized the importance of market awareness and placing a series of small bets rather than banking everything on a single idea.
Mitchell introduced the concept of the “Minimum Viable Offer” (MVO), encouraging entrepreneurs to test their solutions quickly to speed up their time to market. “Winning the speed to market game,” he said, “is about running small tests, pivoting, and getting there faster than the competition.”
Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs: A Conversation on DEI
A panel on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) brought insights from leaders at Futurpreneur. They discussed the challenges faced by underrepresented entrepreneurs and the importance of access to resources, mentorship, and funding.
Holly Atjecoutay shared her personal journey as a First Nations woman in business and emphasized how crucial DEI is to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Jason McDonald highlighted the barriers Indigenous entrepreneurs face, such as taxation and credit issues, but his advice was simple: “Don’t give up.” The panel also shared the importance of mentorship, and highlighted Futurpreneur’s offering of up to $75,000 in support for diverse entrepreneurs.
Fireside Chat for Women Entrepreneurs and Investors
In partnership with the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) we had an inspiring fireside chat featuring Nicole Troster, Entrepreneurship Manager at YSpace – ELLA, April Glavine, CEO of Sum Good Foods Inc, and Laila Theriault, Investment Analyst at NBIF. Glavine shared her experiences navigating the challenges of scalability and product management in her industry, while Theriault offered valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to raise capital.
The speakers stressed the importance of understanding your market and being well-prepared for investors. “Research your competition, understand market readiness, and keep your brand proposition simple,” advised Glavine. Theriault added, “Investors look for unique ideas and coachable teams—stay active, stay vigilant, and always promote your portfolio.”
Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competition
A highlight of the Moncton stop was the exciting Startup Global pitch competition, where five innovative startups took the stage to present their business ideas. Bradley DiPaolo of CandidateHub, Dustin Bowers of PLAEX Building Systems Inc., Michelle Lehman of Think Self-Management Inc., Thierry Lindor of Happly AI, and Ben Collings Mackay of CM Marine Safety Equipment.
Each entrepreneur showcased creativity, passion, and determination, making it a tough call for the judges. Ultimately, we celebrated both a First-Place winner and a People’s Choice winner, highlighting the incredible talent within the startup community. This competition not only provided invaluable exposure for the participants but also underscored the spirit of entrepreneurship thriving in Atlantic Canada.
Funding Strategies for Early Stage Startups
Moncton’s stop also provided practical advice on funding and networking strategies for early-stage startups. From the panel session on funding strategies, entrepreneurs learned the importance of building strong relationships, understanding financial needs, and connecting with local business experts to navigate challenges.
As Barbara Ells, COO at Venn Innovation, emphasized, “Connection to the region and a great network of people are crucial in Atlantic Canada’s tight-knit ecosystem.” The importance of innovation, a clear pitch deck, and financial planning were other key takeaways for attracting investors and building lasting relationships in the local ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
The Moncton stop of the Startup Canada Tour provided a wealth of knowledge, real-world advice, and inspiration for all entrepreneurs. From lessons in resilience and experimentation to the latest in emerging tech and funding strategies, the event left attendees energized and prepared to take their businesses to new heights.
To relive the energy and excitement from the Moncton stop of the Startup Canada Tour, check out our photo gallery featuring key moments, inspiring speakers, and the vibrant community of entrepreneurs that made the event unforgettable. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our incredible partners who made the Moncton stop of the Startup Canada Tour a success.
As the Tour moves forward to its next stop in Kitchener-Waterloo, the message remains clear: entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea, but about perseverance, innovation, and building connections that can propel your business to success. Register here to attend!
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re here to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada. Since our inception in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 130,000 entrepreneurs annually and an ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem support network from coast to coast to coast. Through our flagship and digital programs, we provide guidance, eliminate barriers, and champion the needs of each and every entrepreneur to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada supports entrepreneurs in starting up and scaling up to ultimately make Canada the best place to start and build a business. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.