Entrepreneur News
Despite concerns about another lockdown, entrepreneurs optimistic: Ownr
Ownr today released its 2021 Entrepreneurship Revival Report, a study that reveals how entrepreneurs are positioning their businesses to support an economic recovery.
BEAP, Norda Stelo team up in AI pilot for Quebec mining sector
BEAP, a clean technology startup, and engineering firm Norda Stelo, said today they are joining forces to introduce artificial intelligence into Quebec’s mining industry on the strength of a $1.2 million investment from provincial government agency Investissement Quebec.
‘Skyrocketing’ insurance costs posing new challenges to recovery: CFIB
Insurance has become the top operating cost concern for small businesses, and seven in 10 report their premiums have gone up since the start of the year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said today.
Toronto to open Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The City of Toronto says it is “working with the local Indigenous community to develop the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE).”
CFIB said it welcomes wage and rent subsidies extension by Ottawa
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said it is pleased by the recent announcement that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) have been extended for another month to October 23, 2021.
Group that supports women entrepreneurs to receive $5M from Budget 2021
Mary Ng, federal Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, today announced $5 million from Budget 2021 for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH).
Notch raises US$10 million for R&D, ongoing expansion
Toronto-based Notch, a company that has created a software offering that digitizes wholesale food supply ordering for restaurants and distributors, today closed a US$10 million round of financing led by Accomplice and BDC.
Time to end ‘20th century thinking’ about B.C.’s economy, report contends
Over the past 30 years a massive shift has occurred in British Columbia’s economy, changing what drives both growth and jobs in the province, says the BC Tech Association in a report released on Monday.
BMO extends employee wellness services to business owners, entrepreneurs
BMO today said that it plans to offer “wellness services” its own employees can access to Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs until the end of the year as a result of the professional and personal stresses the pandemic and resulting lockdowns have caused.
NACO, Bay Mills Investment Group form Black Presidents Club
The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) and the Bay Mills Investment Group today launched the Black Presidents Club, which the two described as a “first of its kind in the investment community.”
National skills agenda required to prepare Indigenous youth for digital future: RBC report
Indigenous youth represent a vital influx of entrepreneurs, innovators, managers and business owners for years to come, however, according to a new RBC report released today, many are not being fully prepared to seize the opportunities of the country’s rapidly changing economy.
BMO expands grant program for women-owned businesses across N.A.
BMO Financial Group on Monday announced the expansion of its 2021 Grant Program for women-owned businesses across North America, in collaboration with Deloitte.
Centennial receives $2 million in NSERC grants to support local retailers
Toronto-based Centennial College has received what it describes as “significant long-term funding” from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to help companies in their digitization efforts.
Purolator’s True North Small Business Grant Contest gets underway
Purolator said Monday it is now accepting entries for its True North Small Business Grant Contest, which offers offers three Canadian small businesses an opportunity to receive $20,000 in cash, plus $15,000 in marketing promotions and $500 in free shipping.
Nearly half of Canadians anxious about making return to the office
As more and more Canadian companies consider the future of work, Canada Life’s Workplace Strategies for Mental Health has released new research that shows despite the increase in vaccinations, 46% of Canadians working from home are anxious about the threat of the virus if and when they return to the office.
CFIB bringing back contest that honours local merchants
A majority of consumers (60%) say they have been spending less at small businesses during the pandemic, and more at big box stores and online giants (59%), according to a new public opinion poll conducted by Maru/Matchbox on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Entrepreneurial aspirations hit four-year high, RBC poll reveals
Despite the pandemic’s impact on the economy, Canadians’ business aspirations have hit a four-year high, according to the most recent RBC Small Business Poll, with more than half (55%) of Canadians polled saying they have thought about owning a business.
More diverse CEOs critical for Canada’s economic growth, says Ng
Federal Minister of Small Business Mary Ng delivered a call to action yesterday to a group of Canadian business executives that more diversity at the top is key to Canada’s economic success.
Amex Canada launches mentorship, grant program for BIPOC-owned businesses
American Express Canada today launched Blueprint: Backing BIPOC Businesses, which it described as a mentorship and grant program designed to support the advancement of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) business owners across Canada.
Remote work definitely here to stay, new study finds
BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, released a new report today that examines the perception of remote work among Canadian businesses and employees, after more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bulk of Ontario small businesses irate about province’s ‘slow’ reopening plan
Ontario’s slow pace of reopening is driving the province further behind the rest of the country, according to the latest data on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)’s Small Business Recovery Dashboard.
BDC Capital unveils $300 million late-stage growth fund
BDC Capital, the investment division of BDC, today launched its new Growth Venture Co-Investment Fund, a $300 million venture capital fund targeting late-stage growth companies.
FACE launches $291.3 million Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
Black business owners and entrepreneurs can now apply for loans up to $250,000 through the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), which will adjudicate the funds as part of the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Program.
Quebec entrepreneurs driving success in a post-pandemic landscape: EY
On Monday, judges named 19 businesses as finalists in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Quebec program.
Beleaguered fitness industry urges Ford government to speed up reopening
The Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) Ontario Coalition said it is “extremely disappointed” in the provincial COVID-19 Roadmap to Reopen schedule announced last Thursday.
Canadians willing to buy local, even pay more, Interac survey reveals
Findings of a new survey from Interac Corp. released yesterday show that three-quarters of respondents believe the pandemic has made shopping and supporting businesses in their community more important.
KPMG in Canada targets SMBs with launch of new accounting initiative
KPMG in Canada on Monday launched Finance Plus, a cloud-based accounting offering it said is designed for “small- and medium-sized business owners who lack the time or in-house expertise to manage their bookkeeping and financial reporting.”
CFIB slams federal government for not backing new business owners
Tomorrow will mark a year since Prime Minister Trudeau publicly promised new businesses will have access to federal support, yet they remain shut out of all current programs, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
VC expert delves into the 12 ‘common falsehoods often preached to start-ups’
Straight talk is the best type of talk, which is exactly what Kyle Lui, a partner with the venture capitalist firm of DCM delivered to an audience of interested entrepreneurs at the recent virtual Collision Conference.
ventureLAB expands partner network of its Hardware Catalyst Initiative
ventureLAB today added new participants to its Hardware Catalyst Initiative, which the organization describes as Canada’s “only lab and incubator” for budding hardware and semiconductor companies.
Visa and Wave launch ‘Instant Payouts’ for Canadian small business owners
Visa and Wave, an H&R Block accounting and business banking platform designed for small businesses, Monday announced the Canadian launch of Instant Payouts, Wave’s cash flow payments offering.
BDC study finds entrepreneurs building coping skills through the pandemic
Canadian Mental Health Week began on Monday and in response the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) released their third report tracking the state of Canadian business owners’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Precision AI raises $20 million with goal of reducing agriculture’s ‘chemical footprint’
Regina-based Precision AI, a computer vision and robotics company “empowering sustainable farming practices,” announced today the closing of $20 million in equity and grant funding.
Collision panel looks at impact running of a start-up can have on a founder
The timing of a virtual roundtable at the recent Collision tech conference could not have been better: The effects that running a start-up can have on an individual’s mental health, why it is important to talk about it and the tools available to help through any number of issues.
Tech-AdaptiKa launches ‘first virtual incubator’ in Northern Ontario
Tech-AdaptiKa, a Toronto-based firm that specializes in e-learning, conferences, and training through virtual technology, today launched what it described...
Indigenous entrepreneurs set to gain from Federal Budget 2021: NACCA
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) on Monday threw its support behind the recent federal budget saying it...
Federal budget provided some good news for hard-hit small businesses: CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has described a decision by the federal government to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) into the fall as a positive step.
Tech-Access Canada throws its support behind Budget 2021
Tech-Access Canada, the national network of Canada’s 60 Technology Access Centres (TACs), has said it “welcomes Budget 2021’s support for the Interactive Visits Program and the numerous initiatives to support innovation and applied research.”
Ottawa urged to step in as strike notice filed at the Port of Montreal
Six organizations said this morning they are extremely concerned about the impact “weeks of labour uncertainty” at the Port of Montreal will have on all organizations regardless of size.
Canadian marketers value diversity but problems exist: CMA survey
Canadian marketers are almost universal in their belief that diversity and inclusion are good for business, benefit everyone and show alignment with people and with the community, according to findings released today by the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA).
Endeavor launches in Canada, Calgary selected as HQ
A Canadian division of Endeavor, an organization that describes itself as the “world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs,” has been created with the head office to be located in Calgary.
Plume targets small business owners with release of WorkPass
Software firm Plume this week released WorkPass, a suite of intelligent services and management tools developed specifically for small business owners (SBOs).
Supreme Court ruling on federal carbon tax unfair to small business: CFIB
A ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada announced today upholding the federal carbon tax is “deeply disappointing for small businesses in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta,” says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Futurpreneur initiative with RBC set to assist young Black entrepreneurs
Futurpreneur Canada on Wednesday announced a new funding collaboration with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to deliver the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program, an initiative that supports “aspiring, young Black entrepreneurs launching successful, new businesses in communities across Canada.”
New report probes resilience of small business ‘one year into pandemic’
Wagepoint, makers of online payroll software for small businesses, today announced the availability of their 2021 Canadian Small Business Resilience Report.
Alberta Enterprise invests US$15 million in fund aimed at tech firm growth
Alberta Enterprise announced this week that it has invested US$15 million into Inovia Capital Growth Fund II to support Alberta-based technology companies in scaling beyond the start-up stage.
MEI calls entrepreneurs the ‘unsung heroes’ of the past year
A new position paper released by the public think thank forum Montreal Economic Institute “lifts the veil on the efforts made by entrepreneurs to reinvent themselves, pick up the pace, and help us meet this challenge,” during the past year. Twelve months ago, today, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic.
BDC launches six new partnerships to support Black entrepreneurs
BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, announced this week it is “expanding its commitment” to address anti-Black systemic racism and to support Black business owners by partnering with six new partners across Canada: Black Business Initiative (BBI) (Atlantic), Groupe 3737 (QC), Audace au Féminin (QC), Founders Fund (Ontario), Black Business Association of British Columbia (BBABC) (BC), and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC).
GoDaddy Canada survey probes state of women entrepreneurship in Canada
GoDaddy Inc. has released a new survey ahead of International Women’s Day that provides insights into what it means...
GrowthGenius secures $2.3 million in funding from FirePower Capital
Toronto-based GrowthGenius, an all-in-one sales automation platform, this week announced the close of $2.3 million investment round led by the private equity arm of FirePower Capital.