OTTAWA, CANADA –  February 10th, 2025 – Startup Canada is excited to announce the details of the 2025 Startup Canada Tour; a dynamic national event series designed to connect early-stage entrepreneurs with industry experts and ecosystem support organizations to propel their businesses forward. With the ever-changing economic state, it’s more important than ever for entrepreneurs to band together to forge success in challenging times! 

Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 Tour will visit two vibrant and entrepreneur-centric Canadian cities this year, including:

• Calgary, Alberta | April 29, 2025 | BMO Centre
• Mississauga, Ontario | October 21, 2025 | Living Arts Centre

Each tour stop will feature inspiring keynote speakers, engaging panels, and actionable workshops. Attendees can look forward to expert advising through the Ask the Expert Lounge, connections with local and national support organizations, and perfectly curated networking opportunities.

This year, we are delighted to announce the following incredible speakers on the Tour:

• Danielle Gifford: Director of AI, PwC (Panelist – Mastercard Tech Panel (exact name of panel TBC) – Calgary)
• Cara Wolf: CEO & Founder, Ammolite Security (Panelist – Mastercard Tech Panel (exact name of panel TBC) – Calgary)
• Bobbie Racette: CEO & Founder, Virtual Gurus (Panelist – Thriving Through Failure: A Fireside Chat on Mental Health in Entrepreneurship – Calgary)
• Ryan Todd: Founder and President, headversity (Panelist – Thriving Through Failure: A Fireside Chat on Mental Health in Entrepreneurship – Calgary)
• Nathan Yeung: Founder, Find Your Audience (Workshop: Prove Your Market – Marketing without a Budget – Calgary)
• Jeff Mitchell: Founder, Lane Two Inc. (Workshop: From Dream to Launch: A Roadmap to Go from Idea to Reality – Calgary)
• Jenn Harper: Founder and CEO, Cheekbone Beauty (Closing Keynote: Helping the World See Indigenous Faces – Mississauga)

“The Startup Canada Tour provides an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow,” says Kayla Isabelle, CEO of Startup Canada. “By bringing together diverse voices and expertise, we aim to foster a collaborative ecosystem that supports the success of Canadian entrepreneurs. In times of uncertainty, such as what we see now, there are countless hurdles for founders to overcome; this event will streamline access to vital support and ensure entrepreneurs have the help they need to navigate these challenging times.”

Another highlight of this tour is the Startup Global “Pop-up Pitch” Competition! This competition will take place at both Tour stops and provides local entrepreneurs with the opportunity to compete for a cash prize of $3,000 and a guaranteed spot in the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale in Mississauga, with a total cash prize pool of $70,000! Applications for the Calgary Pop-up Pitch will open on February 10th, with Mississauga applications opening this summer! 

“The Startup Canada Tour offers a community of support and UPS is pleased to partner for the 3rd straight year,” says Paul Gaspar, Director for Small Business at UPS Canada. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing expertise on and off the stage while connecting with entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

Early bird passes for the Startup Canada Tour are available now until March 31, 2025. Visit www.startupcanadatour.ca to learn more about the tour and secure your pass for a stop near you.

The 2025 Startup Canada Tour is presented in partnership with UPS, with program support from Constant Contact, Scotiabank,  The Peak,  Encore Global,  BDC,  Competition Bureau,  WEOC, Mastercard,  City of Mississauga,  CGLCC and League of Innovators. 

Organizations interested in learning more about Startup Canada Tour partnership opportunities can contact  partnerships@startupcan.ca.

 

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Media Contact

Britney Bresciani, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Startup Canada

britney.bresciani@startupcan.ca

About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is Canada’s entrepreneurship organization. Startup Canada promotes and supports the success and growth of Canada’s 2.3 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 300,000 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