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 has created an ever-growing grassroots community 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,visithttps://www.startupcan.ca/.

Meet Kyla Isabella

Kayla Isabelle is the Chief Executive Officer at Startup Canada. Kayla has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs and is passionate about leveraging the power of storytelling in the business community, particularly for women entrepreneurs, as the host of the Startup Women Podcast.

Kayla is the Founding Executive Director of the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation, Board Member at the Ottawa Board of Trade, Past-President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa Chapter, Board Member at StartUP Sault Ste. Marie, Algonquin College Entrepreneurship Program Advisory Committee Member, and a former Board Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). Kayla sits on the Allied for Startups Continental Council, and supports international communities including SXSW, the Tanzania Tourist Board, and Startup Bridge in India. With a passion for mentorship, Kayla serves as a Mentor for the Founder Institute, Propel Impact, “How to Change the World” Charity, IABC Members Connect, Carleton University Network, Algonquin College and Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO). Kayla has also worked as a Coach at the World Skills Employment Centre for newcomers to Canada, and as a Volunteer with the Darkness into Light Suicide Prevention initiative.

Kayla has been recognized as a 2023 Globe and Mail Changemaker, 2023 Business Woman of the Year Finalist (Enterprise Leader), 2022 Top Forty Under 40 by the Ottawa Business Journal, and Ottawa Board of Trade, RBC’s 2022 Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Finalist Social Change Award: National Impact, 2021 RevolutionHer™ "Impact in Leadership Award" winner, 2021 Woman of Inspiration “Authentic Leader Award” winner by the Universal Women’s Network, "Best Business Support Organization" by CanadianSME Magazine, StartupBeat’s 20 Under 50 Female Leaders In Tech, and is a 13x Award Winning IABC Leader, including “International Chapter of the Year” recipient in 2022.

Q: Why did the Startup Canada Tour launch?

A: Over the last few years, Canadian small business owners have faced an array of challenges - from COVID-19 shutdowns to loan repayments and declines in the economy. Facing the majority of these obstacles in isolation, we saw a great need for connection and bringing the Canadian entrepreneurship community together. This need for connection is what sparked the idea for Startup Canada Tour - a national in-person event series connecting early-stage entrepreneurs with the support needed to build and grow their businesses.

2023 was our inaugural year, where we mobilized the entrepreneurship ecosystem support system, stopping in Whitehorse, Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary, and Brampton! On our first Tour, we connected with 1,600 in person attendees, over 5,800 virtual attendees for our final hybrid stop in Brampton, 169 support partners, 107 exhibitors, 126 speakers (of which 60% are women), and 98 mentors.

Q: Why is it important to support startup businesses in Canada?

A: Entrepreneurship is at the heart of Canada’s culture and economy. By championing entrepreneurs and connecting them with the tools and resources they need to build and grow a successful business - we can make Canada the best place in the world to be an entrepreneur.

Q:Whatkindofadvicewouldyou give to startups/ founders?

A: There is no doubt about it. Being an entrepreneur is one of the hardest things you can do, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. My biggest piece of advice to entrepreneurs is you are not in this alone! While starting a business can feel isolating, there is a community here with tools and resources to support you. At Startup Canada, we have a variety of free offerings for entrepreneurs across the country - including workshops, webinars, and resource guides through our Startup Women, Startup Global, and Startup Gov programs. We also have the Business Owner’s Toolbox, nine easy-to understand modules that will walk entrepreneurs through the journey of having a foolproof business plan! You are not on this journey alone.