STARTUP& SCALEUP
Read more at innovatingcanada.ca
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHIMERA COLLECTIVE
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Q&A WITH
Swish Goswami We jumped on a call with Swish Goswami to get his take on some important topics on starting up and scaling up your dream project. 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.
Try out Swish Goswami's new consumer product called Surf, a browser extension that rewards people for their everyday browsing. Download it at joinsurf.com. Read our full interview with Swish Goswami at innovating canada.ca.
Entrepreneur Support Organizations: Helping to Understand the Ecosystem Kayla Isabelle, CEO, Startup Canada
U PHOTO COURTESY OF STARTUP CANADA
nlike learning a new skill or hobby, there's no how-to ha ndb o ok for ent repre neurship — that’s where non-partisan, well-connected support organizations come in. In an ecosystem fi lled with hyper-specialized, regionally- diverse entities, there's 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's 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've created a list of resources for all aspiring and existing founders. 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 CEO, Startup Canada
To see the list in full, visit the Startup and Scaleup campaign on innovatingcanada.ca or visit startupcan.ca.
Publisher: Greg Blackmore Business Development Manager: Julia Colavecchia Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designers: Kylie Armishaw, Lauren Livingston Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
@MediaplanetCA
LEARN MORE on page
3
facebook.com/InnovatingCanada
Please recycle
Purpose-driven business thrives in Vaughan Access support and make your impact in Vaughan vaughanbusiness.ca
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Read more at innovatingcanada.ca | 2
Helping Companies Upscale as They Outgrow Their Paper Workflow Businesses have been talking about paperless workflow for decades, but it’s a hard leap to make without the right tools. The changes of the last two years have put those tools to the test. D.F. McCourt
S
ince the very first modern computer appeared in office, we’ve all been asking, “Do we still need all this paper?” It’s a harder question than it seems. If we want to limit the waste, the ecological impact, and the productivity drain of paper, we need to step back and ask ourselves what it is that keeps drawing people to the printout. We need solutions that ease the transition to an enhanced digital workflow while understanding real-world business needs.
The reality of paper The invention of paper ushered in a neverbefore-seen age of literacy and education. It's a cheap, portable, accessible, and lasting vessel for information. Those qualities still drive its use today. But, in an era where workers are spread across the globe, handing a sheet of paper to a colleague is rarely convenient. This is a world where information
may as well not exist if it can’t be accessed from your phone. This is a moment when costs are measured not only in dollars, but in time and tons of carbon. The advantages of going paperless are clear. The Association for Intelligent Information Management has reported that 84 percent of organizations that undertook paper-free projects achieved payback in less than 18 months. But that value is only realized when the undeniable power of print is preserved through this transition. Canon has spent decades perfecting the philosophy and the practical reality of how people and businesses create, preserve, use, and share information. They’ve leveraged this experience and insight into the creation of new suites of tools that aren't just paper replacements, but reinventions of the business information ecosystem. And, critically, these systems are informed by a deep understanding of what businesses and employees want and need.
A complete digital transformation
We need solutions that ease the transition to an enhanced digital workflow, while understanding real-world business needs.
According to Gartner, every time an employee touches a piece of paper, it costs the company $20. Gartner further estimates that the average employee loses almost four weeks of productivity every year searching for lost and misfiled documents. There’s real money and time to be saved here. But, when the office is a maze of filing cabinets, and home work spaces are chaotic mountains of paperwork organized only by memory and hope, the gap to a structured digital solution may seem unbridgeable.
St. John’s Is a Vibrant Hub for Tech and Research Companies The Newfoundland and Labrador capital boasts numerous advantages for businesses to thrive and for workers seeking a better quality of life.
W Michele Sponagle
hen 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 welltrained, educated workforce, an enticing lifestyle, and a welcoming, increasingly diverse community with a passion for adventure and creativity.
The St. John’s advantage
Find out more at AdvantageStJohns.ca. This article was sponsored by
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. 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
Going paperless is a process, not an event. Canon’s flagship information management solutions provide an answer to this problem. And cutting-edge OCR, intelligent document fingerprinting, and high-accuracy indexing provide a seamless on-ramp for any document into the digital workflow the moment it’s needed. These solutions provide workers with the ability to capture, archive, retrieve, edit, and process data at any point in the workflow quickly and securely. They turn every document into a transactable work space with a memory of its own, providing every bit of the power and flexibility of a paper and a pen while maintaining the accessibility and security of cloud-based collaboration. And, just as importantly, the new digital paradigm to which these documents are transitioned, to has been crafted from the ground up for efficiency. After all, little is gained by replacing a stack of marked-up paper with a tangled email inbox housing dozens of threads with hundreds of versioned documents. A comprehensive solution gently and seamlessly tames this mess into a cohesively streamlined whole. So, do we still need all this paper? Not necessarily, but we do need a knowledgeable and thoughtful guide to lead us away from it. We need a voice that is intimately familiar with the way businesses work and is unafraid to imagine ways they could work better. Reaping the benefits of the paperless transition requires not a leap, but a series of well-informed steps along a carefully crafted path, a path paved by companies like Canon.
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. 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 toptier 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.
Discover a simpler way to grow beyond paper with Canon. Optimize your workflow with these technologies — canon.ca/godigital. This article was sponsored by Canon.
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF VAUGHAN
Read more at innovatingcanada.ca | 3
Social Enterprise and Purpose-Driven Businesses Thrive in Vaughan Social enterprise and purpose-driven entrepreneurs are thriving in Vaughan thanks to the city’s innovation-supportive culture and programming.
Kevin Taylor Associate Director, Social Venture Connexion
Maurizio Bevilacqua Mayor, City of Vaughan
T
he 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.
RainStick, Rekammend, Steadiwear, Fero International, Treasured, Able Innovations, and Culcherd.
Investing in innovation
Embracing social enterprise
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 scaleups 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
The City of Vaughan recognizes that fostering social innovation not only generates positive social and environmental outcomes, but 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.”
Looking forward to the future Purpose-driven businesses will continue
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. 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, growth, and scale. These services go beyond supporting business growth, they foster innovation and encourage purpose.
Visit vaughan business.ca or contact Economic and Cultural Development at ecd@vaughan.ca for more information on services and opportunities.
This article was sponsored by the City of Vaughan.
Small Towns Are Friendly — And Startups Succeed with Lots of Friends
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF STRATHMORE
Tania Amardeil
Strathmore, Alberta has established itself as a community focused on making companies successful. Michele Sponagle
C
ommunity 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 t he a rea a nd h a s r e c e ive d a n incredible level of support from the town. “Strathmore is really willing to go farther to help us succeed,” says Chelsea Million, the company’s
quarters this year. It’s a prime example of Strathmore’s strong collaborative spirit.
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. 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 for 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 head-
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. 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.”
To find out more about why locating in Strathmore is a smart choice, visit strathmore.ca/hello or call Kristen at (403) 325-0714. This article was sponsored by the Town of Strathmore.
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Read more at innovatingcanada.ca | 4
Raise a Glass: Camrose’s Burgeoning Craft Brewing and Distilling Industry Cluster
N
D.F. McCourt
estled between Alberta’s vast prairies and grand boreal forests, the City of Camrose is not so much a hidden gem as an overlooked jewel in plain sight. For generations, Camrose has been a destination of choice for older Albertans looking to escape the bustle of Edmonton, just an hour’s drive away, and to soak in the natural beauty and community of wild rose country. But a visit to this vibrant small city, with its trendy small shops, worldclass microbreweries, and lively patios, reveals anything but a docile retirement community. This is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship and innovation, empowered by a business culture that values cooperation and mutual success. Camrose is truly one of the great and growing cities of Canada’s ambitious youthful spirit.
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.
Battle River Brewery: Community That Supports Each Other
Ryan Pearson Owner, Battle River Brewery
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. “The small city creates an atmosphere where businesses are more than willing to help each other,” says Pearson. “I source the vast majority of my malt from 3D Malt, just outside of Camrose, who use local grain. The spent grains go to a farmer just outside the city as well to feed cattle. It goes from field to glass and field to table all within 20 minutes of the brewery.”
For more information on how to join the growing number of entrepreneurs choosing Camrose for their businesses, visit camrose.ca/ecdev. This article was sponsored by the City of Camrose.
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.”
Sean Willms Owner & General Manager, Norsemen Brewing Company
True North Cider: Support from the City
Ty de Hoog Owner, True North Cider
71&
¾¨Å-ژw ¨¾O ژU%-¨
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.
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.
Steven Zilkie Co-Owner, Back 40 Distillery Inc.