Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I always knew that I wanted to own a business. At a young age, I would create sample business plans for ideas that I had. When I was older, I was able to do the Junior Achievement program and then at the University of Toronto, I realized that people who weren’t very different from me made careers out of their small businesses. This is what led me to start my own company with a friend. It was so fun to build something from scratch, even though the business was never able to launch officially. These experiences gave me the confidence to create my next company, Dunk, a social media-focused company. That experience led me to co-found Trufan, which I’ve been working on for the last three years.

Have you had any mentors? What did they provide you in terms of support? How has that helped you?

Yes, Trufan especially has taken a whole community to start and grow. Partners like our investors, advisors and even customers have helped guide us. In my personal life, I always like to talk to people who I find successful and generous. To get in touch with some of these people I started a LinkedIn article series, interviewing these people and building a relationship with them from there. I would talk to them about my ideas and run problems by them. The benefit of putting yourself out there to find mentorship is that your mentor will be someone who comes from your world, who knows your struggles and helps you succeed. Most people don’t have these relationships, and that’s where you may need to think outside the box like I did to find a mentor.

Startup Canada says that finding financing is the largest roadblock to overall growth. Does that align with your experience?

The biggest thing early on that helped was that I had a network, so get started early. If you don’t have a network, just know that money is out there and it’s your job to meet the right people who control those channels. When it comes to pitching, it’s important to strategize on how you reach leads, how you handle the “noes” that will inevitably come your way, and with those “noes” how you can learn from them. Another point to note is that fundraising is not always about getting two or three big-ticket investors. At Trufan, we have a larger cap table of investors with smaller amounts of funding. We’ve found that to be beneficial in terms of our expanded network.

What are some personal roadblocks that entrepreneurs need to overcome?

Remember that your mental health is important. This is something I see throughout the whole community. As an entrepreneur, you shouldn’t be in it for the short run, so you need to take care of yourself. If you let yourself burn out, your business will, too. Try as much as possible to take time off when needed. Block off times during the day to go for a walk and to think. It’s also very easy to think, “I need to be a billionaire by this age.” Get that thought out of your head, especially if you’re under 30 because it puts unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Any upcoming projects you want to highlight?

We just launched a new consumer product called Surf. It’s a browser extension that rewards people for their everyday browsing.

The post Q&A with Swish Goswami appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Unlike learning a new skill or hobby, there is no “how-to” handbook for entrepreneurship – that’s where non-partisan, well-connected support organizations come in. In an ecosystem filled with hyper-specialized, regionally diverse entities, there is a benefit in having access to a “30,000 foot overview” of the resources and opportunities within the startup landscape. Support organizations and their teams can point new and existing founders in the right direction, help them make informed decisions, and empower their success through connections and collaboration. Ecosystem connectors are also uniquely poised to identify the support gaps that really exist in the space.

There is much to consider when launching a new business – everything from financing and HR to marketing and legal. According to Startup Canada’s 2020 census, founders in the space are looking for more streamlined, centralized overviews of support available across the ecosystem. Startup Canada is committed to creating and fostering an entrepreneurial environment in Canada that is as supportive to new projects as it is to those that are established. Knowing that no two journeys are the same, we have created a list of resources for all aspiring and existing founders.

Here’s a good place to start:

Financing

• Hockeystick connects startups to funding using AI and data to drive connections.
• Clearco is a lending firm specializing in non-dilutive revenue-share agreements with startups.
• Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in funding women, People of Colour, and LGBT+ led startups.
• The 51 is a Financial Feminist platform where investors and founders come together for democratized access to women-led capital for women-led businesses.
• The National Angel Capital Organization is a steward of the angel capital asset class and informs evidence-based policy in partnership with the government.
• The Government of Canada has many loan and grant programs meant to empower Canada’s founders.
• Bank loans for SMEs: BDC, Scotiabank, etc.

Pitching

Volition brings a community-building approach to advising and events for entrepreneurs.

Human Resources & Hiring

Essential HR provides streamlined HR relief to small businesses through hands-on support.

Marketing & PR

• THINK DIFFERENT[LY] is a PR company helping organizations build, test, and measure effective growth strategies.
• Comms Bar works like an Apple Genius Bar, helping founders to use PR, marketing, and publicity to grow their business.

Global Growth

Startup Global connects a pan-Canadian cohort of entrepreneurs wanting to build global businesses through workshops, bootcamps, pitch building, advisory support, digital resources, and more.

Mentorship & Community

• Mentorly is a leading online mentorship platform connecting emerging and seasoned entrepreneurs for meaningful, one-on-one mentorship.
• Startup Communities are local, grassroots networks on a mission to fuel a culture and environment of entrepreneurship at the local and industry level.

Demographic-specific Support

Women-identifying Support

• FLIK is a curated portal allowing ambitious women to take on a mentorship-based apprenticeship under a woman leader.
• Startup Women helps women founders through mentorship, events, and resources.

Rural Support

• Rural on Purpose is a social purpose business with a global mission to introduce a new era of rural entrepreneurship.
• Clearing a New Path Podcast amplifies the underrepresented voices of rural women founders across the country.
• Community Futures operates 267 non-profit offices across Canada providing small business services to those in rural communities.

Indigenous Founder Support

• Okwaho Equal Source is a social purpose enterprise on a mission to fuel social impact through human-centred design, innovation, and Indigenous-led research.
• NACCA is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions dedicated to stimulating economic growth for Indigenous people in Canada.
• Pow Wow Pitch is a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs purpose-built to provide a platform for education, celebration, mentorship, and reconciliation.

Black Founder Support

• The Black Entrepreneurship Program is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business owners, and financial institutions which includes an investment of up to $350.8 million over four years.
• Black Entrepreneurs BC provides advocacy, access to funding facilitation, advisory and mentorship services to help Black businesses grow, scale, and become sustainable.

LGBT+ Support

• The CGLCC is the only chamber of commerce uniting and advocating for Canada’s 28,000+ LGBT+ owned and operated businesses.
• Pride at Work uses dialogue, education, and thought leadership to empower Canadian employers to build workplaces that celebrate LGBT+ employees.
• TransFocus Consulting brings systems-thinking to gender inclusion, helping organizations transform from the inside out.

Disability Support

Liberty Co is a consultancy focused on increasing the participation of Neurodiverse individuals in the workforce.

Youth Support

Futurpreneur provides financing, mentorship, and support tools to aspiring founders aged 18-39.

Specialized tools and resources have their benefits, but to truly empower Canadian entrepreneurs we need centralized, reliable, dedicated support spaces where founder success is central to mission and mandate.

Kayla Isabelle is the Chief Executive Officer at Startup Canada, the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that points you in the right direction, eliminates barriers, and champions your needs to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada’s mission is to connect Canada’s entrepreneurs with the tools, community, and support they need to start and build their businesses. Kayla has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs, both in Canada and internationally. As an award-winning strategic communications consultant and change management facilitator, Kayla is passionate about leveraging the power of storytelling in the entrepreneurial community.

The post Entrepreneur Support Organizations: Helping to Understand the Ecosystem appeared first on HiveInnovates.

When many people think of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador, they picture its scenic harbour, colourful houses along Jellybean Row and historic Signal Hill. While they are very much a part of the provincial capital, there is another story that offers a modern-day perspective for St. John’s — a vibrant city focused on innovation and technology, where companies are thriving.

There are many advantages the city offers businesses large and small, including a well-trained, educated workforce, an enticing lifestyle, and a welcoming, increasingly diverse community with a passion for adventure and creativity.

The St. John’s advantage

Many companies, specializing in sectors like technology, ocean research and the environment, have already recognized St. John’s as an emerging city well worth investing in, including Verafin, a financial crime management software development company that has become a true Canadian success story. Recently purchased for $2.75 billion USD, it employs 800 local people — 600 of which are graduates of Memorial University, consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top research universities.

There are more than 165 companies in the local technology sector, employing over 6,400 people and generating in excess of $1.6 billion in revenue. In a recent study, 92 percent of tech sector companies surveyed planned on expanding. They’ll be able to do that in St. John’s, thanks largely to its top-notch workforce.

As the last two years have shown, the pandemic is causing major changes in our priorities, including how we live and work. In many large cities across the country, residents are leaving in hopes of finding a better quality of living. They’re moving away from large urban centres to find a sense of belonging and purpose.

Finding a better work-life balance

By contrast, the St. John’s region is experiencing its largest inward migration in nearly 50 years. It ticks a lot of boxes for those seeking something different. When it comes to housing prices, for example, prices continue to soar in major cities, making home ownership nearly impossible. In the St. John’s metro area, where the average household income is $116,411 and the average house price is $307,619, it is within reach. It’s a big reason why many young professionals and families are moving to the area.

For companies, the bounty St. John’s offers is a tremendous advantage for attracting top-tier talent that can play a vital role in creating successful businesses.

Add into the mix the people and the land itself. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are famously hospitable and proud of what their province offers, including some of Canada’s most stunning scenery and green spaces. The East Coast Trail is a hiker’s paradise, stretching 336 kilometres and passing directly through St. John’s. There’s also more than 100 kilometres of ocean views and scenic mountain biking trails nearby, creating one of Canada’s top outdoor destinations.

For companies, the bounty St. John’s offers is a tremendous advantage for attracting top-tier talent that can play a vital role in creating successful businesses. It means an engaged workforce that enjoys a healthy work-life balance. Now is the time to discover St. John’s and learn why it’s an ideal place to invest in, to live and to grow your business.

The post What Makes St. John’s a Vibrant Hub For Tech and Research Companies appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Maurizio Bevilacqua

Mayor, City of Vaughan

Social enterprise and purpose-driven entrepreneurs are thriving in Vaughan thanks to the city’s innovation-supportive culture and programming.

The City of Vaughan, a fast-growing municipality located in Canada’s largest industrial market, is the place to be for purpose-driven entrepreneurs. With an educated and talented workforce of over 225,000 people and extensive small business and entrepreneurship programming, the city has the resources, networks, and transportation connections to help businesses of all sizes grow.

Investing in innovation

Starting back in 2017, the City of Vaughan launched a concerted effort to invest in social enterprises, with Social Innovation Challenges. The Activate!Vaughan innovation program was then established in 2019, which connects high-potential, purpose-driven startups and scale-ups to market-driven entrepreneurship opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders and multinationals. The program identifies and creates networks of collaborators to develop solutions to clearly defined opportunities for social, civic and environmental innovation.

Vaughan’s small business and entrepreneurship programming has grown and evolved over the years. Today, Vaughan’s social innovation program incorporates problem-based challenges and creates a forum for large enterprises, startups, and mentors to collaborate to co-develop solutions that produce not only innovation, but impact. The program is partnership-driven and has been deployed with support from local innovation partners including ventureLAB, YSpace and the Centre for Social Innovation.

A number of industry-leading success stories have emerged from Vaughan’s innovation programs, including ventures such as RainStick, Rekammend, Steadiwear, Fero International, Treasured, Able Innovations, and Culcherd.

Working together to increase impact

The programming is also partnership-driven and deployed in partnership with or with support from organizations including ventureLAB (a leading technology hub), YSpace (York University’s innovation hub), the Centre for Social Innovation (Canada’s largest social innovation community), and the Ryerson Social Ventures Zone (the home of social innovators at Canada’s most entrepreneurial university).

“Vaughan has emerged as a hub for innovative founders to grow and scale their business,” says Jane Gertner, Vice President of Partnerships at ventureLAB. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the City of Vaughan and bringing together our community of global founders, innovators, and industry leaders to create a cluster of anchor Canadian companies with transformational hardware and enterprise software technologies to scale and go global, from Canada.”

“York University and the City of Vaughan are united by a shared vision of generating social impact through groundbreaking programming, research, and innovation activities that advance our collective progress in addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” says Rhonda Lenton, President of York University. “For example, our collaboration on the Activate!Vaughan program has been a key driver in supporting social enterprises such as Hop In Technologies, Able Innovations, and Culcherd as they scale up. Another example is our work, along with our partners at Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB, to develop the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, which will create a world-class health innovation hub that will enhance the well-being of residents in York Region and across the GTA. York University looks forward to continuing our work together as anchors within the innovation ecosystem to support social enterprises and drive positive change in our local and global communities.”

Other notable success stories that have emerged from Vaughan’s innovation program include ventures such as RainStick, Rekammend, Steadiwear, Fero International, and Treasured.

Since 2010, we’ve created more than 60,000 new jobs, issued more than $13 billion in building permits, and maintained an economic growth rate of more than four percent. Very few cities in North America grow at this rate.

Embracing social enterprise

The City of Vaughan recognizes that fostering social innovation not only generates positive social and environmental outcomes, it also drives economic growth and competitiveness, and promotes future economic resiliency. The city has embraced the social enterprise sector as an important and distinct opportunity for the local economy.

“Vaughan has continued to develop programming uniquely adapted to the needs of social entrepreneurs to help them raise capital, find customers, and connect with the broader community in Vaughan,” says Kevin Taylor, Associate Director at Social Venture Connexion, an impact investing platform. “With a growing interest in place-based investing, where investors can target businesses operating in their communities, these programs are fostering an amazing pipeline that will promote local economic development, motivate and inspire business owners to consider sustainability and equality in the way they operate their businesses, and continue to direct capital to where we live instead of just chasing the latest investment fad.”

“The City of Vaughan knows the potential for igniting businesses that address social inclusion and climate solutions,” says Jo Reynolds, Social Innovation Specialist at the Centre for Social Enterprise. “This is the next economy at work — one that is regenerative, equitable, and prosperous for all.”

Looking forward to the future

Purpose-driven businesses will continue to thrive in Vaughan as new resources and assets emerge to support innovators. The city also boasts unique and impressive economic growth. “Our city is far outpacing the province and the country,” says Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan. “Since 2010, we’ve created more than 60,000 new jobs, issued more than $13 billion in building permits, and maintained an economic growth rate of more than four percent. Very few cities in North America grow at this rate.”

The City of Vaughan’s Economic and Cultural Development department offers support for local businesses and entrepreneurs at all stages from ideation, to start-up, to growth and scale.  Fostering innovation and encouraging purpose.

The post Social Enterprise and Purpose-Driven Businesses Thrive in Vaughan appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Oftentimes, entrepreneurs and business owners find themselves hampered by a lack of robust market intelligence. With that in mind, the City of Abbotsford, BC, has set out to provide tools that business owners need — online, interactive, mobile-friendly data to guide their decision-making, especially when crisis hits, such as a pandemic or natural disaster.

Nicknamed “the Sitefinder,” the first tool that Abbotsford introduced for local and new businesses was the Geographic Information System (GIS) ZoomProspector tool back in 2016 — making it the very first community in British Columbia to put tens of thousands of data variables alongside available commercial properties for analysis.

Powered by technology from GIS Planning Canada, and augmented by five additional interactive tools the following year, investors and businesses could use the tool to research, analyze, export, and share demographic, wage, consumer spending, business, and industry data. The information comes from a variety of regularly updated sources, including Environics Analytics (based on Statistics Canada data), Emsi and Data-Axle. But the Sitefinder makes these sources of data interactive and highly visual – and available to any business looking online for solutions.

“Abbotsford’s location is right next to the border as well as the port, which helps us to get our product anywhere in the world. Also, we have a lot of industries here to support our manufacturing. If a saw breaks down at the mill, we’re not going two hours out of the bush to get it sharpened, we’ve got a guy right next door that can do that for us,” says Nav Sangha of North American Forest Products.

This ability to “shop local” took on a new urgency for businesses when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With lockdowns, enforced closures and supply chain disruptions, everything became that much harder for businesses. Abbotsford responded by launching Open for Business (ZoomBusiness), which allowed area residents to quickly map and find local businesses that were open; to learn about modified hours, contactless delivery, gift card programs and more. The tool was one of the first to launch in Canada and remains a great way for businesses to list themselves and to see others around them. Moreover, with the help of this tool, people could spend their dollars at home instead of online.

As the pandemic dragged on, it became clear that important, long-lasting shifts in how business was being done were underway. Businesses were pivoting. And Abbotsford followed, leveraging a third, highly customizable GIS tool to its data toolkit. The virtual ZoomTour uses Google Maps technology, supports images, video, sound and can link to business websites or the City’s other GIS Planning data software.

Abbotsford’s “Passport to Patios” tour showcases restaurants offering extended outdoor patio service to customers wanting a safe eating experience at their favourite locales. The “Abbywood Walk of Fame” tour leads visitors down the main street and through town to discover locations and businesses popular with film and video producers. And the newest “Agriculture Resource Map” offers help, funding and support for farmers and other agri-business affected by the 2021 flooding disaster.

“Although we have hundreds of clients across North America, the City of Abbotsford is one of the first places we contact with any new data tools. We know they intuitively understand the importance of supporting businesses and investors with critical information,” explains GIS Planning Canada’s VP Marketing, Alissa Sklar, PhD.

The City of Abbotsford remains a model for how communities can actively support their local businesses in the ways that count, by giving them easy access to the information they need when they need it.

The post How Abbotsford Is Supporting Businesses with Critical Market Intelligence Data appeared first on HiveInnovates.

As the cost of living and population density rises in major cities, businesses are looking at the advantages of living and working in smaller centres.

Small-to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are an important part of Canada’s economy. According to a report published by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in 2020, SMEs account for more than 50 percent of the value added to the country’s GDP. But, as the cost of living continues to rise and population density grows in major city centres, many businesses are looking at the advantages of living and working in smaller cities and towns.

Truro, Nova Scotia recognized the professional and personal needs of business owners and has been savvy in creating a place where entrepreneurs can find the services they need to run their business and a place to call home at the end of the day.

Here are just a few reasons to consider Truro

Location, location, location: This real estate idiom really does hold true. Truro is located approximately 30 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport; is at the junction of TransCanada Highway 104 and Highway 102; the confluence of the north-south and east-west rail lines; and is about one hour from the Port of Halifax—making this town a dream destination for any business that relies on the shipping of goods to and from the rest of the province, Canada and the world.

The best of both worlds: Truro offers a small-town sensibility with the amenities of a big city. “Over the past 10 years or so, Truro has invested a lot in infrastructure, which has enhanced the quality of life here,” said Alison Grant, Manager of Economic Development, Town of Truro. This includes a new hospital, full-service recreation and aquatic centre, library and a 3,000-acre park. New residents will also find a vibrant downtown which includes a local farmer’s market, small local shops, services, and restaurants, all located close to quality family homes, with an average price of $230K in the local area.

The personal touch: This is a town where business owners know other business owners, and everyone knows where to turn for support. “We work closely with businesses and people know that we are only a phone call away,” Grant comments. Programs are designed to meet current needs. During the COVID-19 shutdown, for instance, the Town of Truro partnered with the local Business Improvement District and organized a free local delivery service so companies could get their products to the local consumers. This helped to encourage local spending and was a significant resource for the local small businesses. The organizations also offered a streetscape and beautification program so when local shoppers and tourists started going downtown again, businesses were welcoming and ready for when they arrived.

Be well connected: Truro’s motto is Make the Connection and that really reflects how the community interacts at large. Most people, when asked, say that they like to shop local but, in Truro, the majority of businesses are owner-occupied, and those owners are the locals. It’s not uncommon to shop at a store in the afternoon and see that same owner at a local restaurant later in the evening. It’s also likely you’ll know them by their first name, and be able to strike up a conversation about the local hockey team. There is a real connection between businesses in Truro and the community they serve and live in.

Don’t take our word for it: Miriah Kearney is the CEO/Founder of My Home Apparel and My Home Mercantile. Kearney has lived in Truro for most of her life and opened her second successful business there in 2016. “My Home Apparel is now a national brand, and we ship our goods all over the world, right from Truro,” says Kearney. “Our success is largely due to the support we receive from locals and the Town of Truro, and their belief in my business.” Kearney adds, “The vibrancy of Truro, the growth, affordability and amenities have attracted people from all over Canada. As a result, I am able to hire amazing employees who also love this town we call home.”

The post Quality of Life Is as Important as Business Success in Truro appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Canadian startups need to think internationally in order to succeed. Learn how the DMZ can help mitigate the risk involved in expanding to new global markets.

Despite Canada’s small market, many Canadian startups are not exploring the potential that global expansion may bring to their company.

While every founder wants their company to access new customer bases and capital, only about 12 percent of small businesses in Canada currently export their goods and services. However, for companies who want to look into expanding, it might be time to start looking global from the get-go.

“The majority of tech startups don’t realize it, but they are in a business that can be global from day one,” says Abdullah Snobar, the Executive Director of the DMZ. “We need to help tech startups and early entrepreneurs see themselves as exporters, even if they don’t have a physical product.”

The DMZ has helped to raise over $1.5 billion in seed funding for startups and has provided mentorship and support, utilizing its worldwide network, to turn Canadian startups into world-class, global tech businesses.

Looking beyond Canadian borders

According to Snobar, for Canadian startups in a small domestic market, considering global expansion is a necessity, not a nice to have. This was the case for Softdrive, a DMZ incubator company, where only 3 percent of their total addressable market was in Canada.

“The US has about 24x the amount of organizations than Canada, making it critical for Softdrive to expand internationally,” says Leonard Ivey, Founder of Softdrive. “If we don’t, we’d be stunting our growth significantly and mitigating our chances of success.”

However, there are a few barriers that make global expansion difficult for Canadian startups. For pet-tech company Charmy Pet, navigating the regulations to comply with federal agencies like the CFIA and U.S. FDA was one of them—but the support of the DMZ and their connections made the process much easier.

“We were fortunate to have the support of the DMZ and their in-house supply chain experts to help us expand,” says Zach Sheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Charmy Pet.

Building a reputation in a new market, while trying to find support, trustworthy global partners, and dealing with cultural differences, can be difficult. “It can take a few years for a startup to build a solid reputation in their local market and transferring that trust to a global market is challenging,” says Mohsen Omrani, Co-Founder and CEO of OPTT. “A good way to bridge local trust to a new market is being associated with reputable organizations, like incubators and VCs, with proven track records.” It helps to have a team like DMZ in your corner where these past experiences can be used as leverage.

How the DMZ’s network can help

But Snobar says one of the biggest barriers to expansion is the founder’s own mindset. “If they don’t want to go global, then they’ll find every excuse not to go. But there’s always risk anywhere you operate,” says Snobar. “If you don’t look to expand into a new market, someone else will.”

For those who do want to expand globally, the DMZ offers founders a deep understanding of different local ecosystems, countries, and economies through their network of global offices and incubators in over 10 countries. For example, if a Canadian startup wanted to expand into India, the DMZ could connect them to other founders and partners in their field who are already involved in the Indian market. This is due to the DMZ being an enabler to global expansion—they can help founders access peers who’ll understand their journey and their struggles.

“There’s never been a more important time than today to think about how to take your business and expand to your full potential,” says Snobar. “The whole team is glad we’re helping in that journey with creating opportunities for founders entering these new markets.”

The post Why Canadian Startups Need to Look Beyond Borders appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Community boosters are worth a lot. Schools, arenas, parks, and libraries in Strathmore share stories of people pulling together to get the project finished. More businesses are discovering that the community is proud to help them grow, too.

Investments in agri-business, manufacturing, and renewable energy are setting records for the largest volume of capital investment in Strathmore’s history. It’s a town focused on the future and growth that welcomes a variety of startups but has retained its rural roots and a commitment to its community.

More businesses are discovering what Strathmore offers

That is just one reason why Borea Construction has been so pleased with its partnership with Strathmore. It is constructing two major solar projects in the area and has received an incredible level of support from the town. “Strathmore is really willing to go farther to help us succeed,” says Chelsea Million, the company’s talent advisor. When explaining what sets Strathmore apart from other places, she cites the successful job fair hosted locally, the quality of local candidates, and the town’s willingness to share resources in order to help meet the firm’s goals.

The town has a long tradition of being innovative and solution-focused. Its Marigold Library System, established in 1981, was a game-changer. The not-for-profit municipal collaboration provides state-of-the-art library services, now serving over 300,000 people across 44 municipalities. It joined forces with Western Irrigation District (WID), which supplies irrigation water to almost 100,000 acres of farmland, to build a new shared headquarters this year. It’s a prime example of Strathmore’s strong collaborative spirit.

Focus on success and innovation

Local businesses are expanding their reach. Origin Malting drew on five generations of farming expertise when they launched their malting plant in 2016. As pioneers of soil conservation and traceability, they brought a focus on sustainability to their operations. Producing the finest malt for craft brewers has brought customers from across North America.

We have great people that work hard here. Some of the finest people you’ll ever meet…they work right here. We’re much like a family I guess.

An unexpected start-up has its origins in a local farm as well. G&S Airport Conveyor, which builds and maintains baggage conveyor systems for airports around the world, started out of a garage on an area farm. Since moving into Strathmore, the company has grown and invested in newer, more advanced technology. Owner Jim Goertz appreciates how business-friendly Strathmore is. He also likes the inviting small-town feel, something that makes it easy to attract and retain employees. It’s a desirable place to work and to live in. “We have great people that work hard here. Some of the finest people you’ll ever meet … they work right here. We’re much like a family I guess.”

Strathmore is well-positioned to keep the momentum going. “Strathmore offers start-ups a great place to grow. Our team offers personalized support you can’t find in large centers” says Mayor Pat Fule. “We’re a friendly, welcoming community that helps each other to succeed.”

The post Small Towns Are Friendly — And Startups Succeed with Lots of Friends appeared first on HiveInnovates.

Setting the stage for success

Of course, there’s far more to the thriving Camrose small business ecosystem than strong beverages. But the success of the local brewing and distilling scene provides a clear, or perhaps amber, window into the ways that a business-friendly community can drive regional innovation and growth. And that, in turn, creates an atmosphere that’s welcoming and appealing to ambitious young Canadians who may then go on to start businesses of their own.

It’s a self-reinforcing cycle of prosperity that should be a reminder to all that a business-friendly community is a people-friendly community. So, whatever you choose to pour into your glass, raise it tonight to Camrose, the little city that’s writing the future of Canadian entrepreneurship.

This is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship and innovation, empowered by a business culture that values cooperation and mutual success

Ryan Pearson

Owner, Battle River Brewery

Battle River Brewery: Community That Supports Each Other

On 37 Street, the entrance to Battle River Brewery is marked by a mighty stone sign, the work of a local Camrose craftsman, financed through a municipal Facade Improvement Grant. Battle River Brewery is a labour of love, the fermented dream of one man, Ryan Pearson. Raised on a farm in Central Alberta, Pearson worked in the steel industry before deciding to go it on his own and dedicate himself to his true passion: good beer. In Camrose, he found the perfect community supports for his entrepreneurial aspirations.

Sean Willms

Owner & General Manager, Norsemen Brewing Company

Norsemen Brewing Company: Creating a Destination

On the other side of town, Norsemen Brewing Company sources ingredients from the same local malter to craft an entirely different stable of microbrews in its own unique environment. Located in the landmark Norsemen Inn, the brewing company and its adjacent Tap Room cater to locals and out-of-towners alike.

“Camrose is central to many areas and the perfect distance from Edmonton,” says Owner & General Manager Sean Willms. “We’ve had many people out on an afternoon tour. And the City of Camrose is business-friendly, as it has always looked to bring in new and exciting businesses to keep shopping and dining local.”

Ty de Hoog

Owner, True North Cider

True North Cider: Support from the City

The community spirit that keeps Camrose hopping extends beyond just hops. The city has a diverse palate, and economic development initiatives have provided a fertile ground for new small businesses seeking to slake all types of thirst. Camrose natives Ty and Kate de Hoog fell in love with the apple orchards of Creston Valley while living in the mountains of British Columbia. When life called them back to Camrose, they came joyfully — with 2,000 pounds of apples in tow.

From that bounty, True North Cider was born. “We opened our doors in the middle of the pandemic and the outpouring of support from citizens and other businesses was overwhelming,” says Ty. In recognition of the community that helped them thrive in this difficult time, True North has taken advantage of the city’s patio policy to serve cider outside and recently launched the Rose City Cider series, specifically highlighting local ingredients sourced from the Camrose region.

Steven Zilkie

Co-Owner, Back 40 Distillery Inc.

Back 40 Distillery: A Council That Works With Small Businesses

On chilly winter evenings, it may happen that something with a little more kick than even the craftiest beer or cider is needed to warm up the residents of Camrose. For these occasions, locals turn to Back 40 Distillery. The team at Back 40 makes vodka, flavoured spirits, whiskey, and rum from locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients, all 100 percent gluten free. They sell their products in liquor stores and restaurants across the country, as well as online. And, thanks to local zoning adjustments, they have a bonded warehouse in the city, through which they can sell directly to the public, as well as at local farmer’s markets.

It’s that kind of small town flexibility and understanding that allows entrepreneurs to thrive, and it’s something Back 40 hopes to pay forward to other local business owners. “The city made quick adjustments during COVID to help small businesses stay operational, such as making it easier to set up an outdoor patio,” says co-owner Lorne Haugen. Local is a priority. “We aim to be as local as possible and have sourced as much as we can from within Alberta. We hope to collaborate more with local Camrose producers in developing future products,” says co-owner Steven Zilkie.

The post Raise a Glass: Camrose’s Burgeoning Craft Brewing and Distilling Industry Cluster appeared first on HiveInnovates.