Grow Your Business 2024 by Mediaplanet Canada

Grow Your Business

Small Business Show

Become a Global Tech Leader by Scaling Your Business with Communitech

Simplify global talent acquisition with Communitech Outposts to scale globally with ease, compliance, and a competitive edge.

When it comes to global tech innovation, the ability to attract and retain top talent is critical to scaling ventures across borders. By partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) service like Communitech Outposts, founders aren’t just hiring; they’re strategically positioning their companies for global competitiveness.

Communitech Outposts helps late-stage startups or scaleups looking to quickly onboard, pay, and manage global employees without having to create a new corporate entity or hire a contractor. This service simplifies the process of employing international talent and ensures founders remain compliant with local laws and regulations.

“We do all the heavy lifting,” said Karen Klink, Director of Channel Partners and Founder Success, Communitech Outposts. “We make it easy to hire global talent, so companies don’t have the hassle of maintaining a foreign back office. All companies have to do is find their ideal candidates, then we take care of the hiring, payroll, health benefits, and everything in between through our network of in-country partners.”

As part of an ecosystem of support, Communitech Outposts enables founders to tap into global talent pools, compete effectively with their peers, and scale their operations internationally with confidence and compliance.

“We enlisted the support of Com-

munitech Outposts to hire employees in the United Kingdom and United States,” said Jason Cassidy, Founder and CEO of Shinydocs. “We had tried hiring in different jurisdictions but ended up over-paying for lawyers. Outposts is an all-inclusive package that’s entrepreneur-friendly and has the best interests of founders in mind.”

“In today’s marketplace, agility, compliance, and talent acquisition speed are key, making an EOR service essential,” said Klink. “For companies, this means quicker time to new markets, reduced costs and lower regulatory risks. For Canada, it means a larger presence on the global stage, and ultimately more high-quality jobs and investment here at home.”

Karen Klink Director of Channel Partners & Founder Success, Communitech Outpost

How Fort St. John Is Good for Business and Good for Quality of Life

Canadians seeking a lifestyle that values business success and quality of life will love Fort St. John, British Columbia’s best-kept secret.

Ken Donohue

Fort St. John, the largest city in northeastern B.C., is a city full of energy, literally. It’s called B.C.’s Energy Capital, a resource-rich region that helps the community boast one of the country’s highest standards of living, with a median household income of $106,000 — the second highest in B.C. and seventh highest in Canada. The city’s population of 21,500 (69,000 if the surrounding area is included) is dynamic, young, and full of entrepreneurial spirit. With affordable housing and a dozen public schools, your lifestyle and education needs are covered. And with more than 300 days of sunshine each year, you’ll always have a spring in your step.

An attractive place to set up shop

Fort St. John is built on oil and gas, mining operations, forestry, and agriculture, which contributes to stable employment, including fast-growing opportunities in the

service and retail trades. Countless economic development and infrastructure projects are on the go, including commercial and industrial parks, resource development, planned residential communities and a downtown revitalization to support a thriving, livable downtown. Two post-secondary campuses in Fort St. John ensure an educated and skilled workforce.

Business owners and investors love Fort St. John. It’s a tight-knit community where you can get to know your customers, with affordable rents, a city government that supports innovation and entrepreneurial success, honest business tax rates, and affordable (and quickly approved) development permits. With daily flights to major cities, including Vancouver and Calgary, highways and rail networks, and connections to major Pacific ports, getting to Fort St. John is easy.

Work-life balance for real It’s not all work, though. Fort St. John walks the walk on work-life

Business owners and investors love Fort St. John. It’s a tightknit community where you can get to know your customers, with affordable rents, a city government that supports innovation and entrepreneurial success, honest business tax rates, and affordable (and quickly approved) development permits.

balance. As the city is located in the heart of the beautiful Peace River Regional District, residents can take advantage of four distinct seasons and access to endless outdoor recreational opportunities, from camping and lakeside fun in the summer to sledding, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing in the winter. And over 25 kilometres of trails that weave throughout the city and the many parks and green spaces are waiting to be explored.

If the indoors is more your thing, Fort St. John has that, too, including an indoor speed skating oval, hockey arenas, a curling rink, running tracks, and a swimming pool. And the city’s vibrant arts community is supported by galleries and the 413-seat theatre at the North Peace Cultural Centre.

If you’re looking for a place to live and work where you can enjoy life and be successful, Fort St. John is waiting for you. Learn more at fortstjohn.ca/ economic-development

This article is sponsored by Fort St. John.

Main Street Entrepreneurs Find Their Home In Vaughan

Melissa Vekil

Rich with local businesses and a vibrant community spirit, Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities. Whether you’re browsing through an artisanal shop or grabbing a bite at a local cafe, it's clear that Vaughan is where entrepreneurship thrives. More than 87 per cent of businesses in Vaughan are small businesses, and the city’s Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), makes it easy for residents to discover hidden gems in their community. Committed to supporting the local ecosystem, Vaughan’s Starter Company Plus Program offers training workshops, mentorship opportunities, and even potential grant funding for established business owners and budding entrepreneurs alike.

Poke Guys

When seeking a second location for his popular downtown Toronto restaurant Poke Guys, founder Johnny Chan

immediately thought of Vaughan. They wanted somewhere accessible, and Vaughan was perfect for its proximity to highways, nearby attractions and the new subway line extension. Looking for ways to kickstart his business, Chan approached VBEC. He was connected to advisory and funding opportunities, which he used to invest in marketing initiatives, purchase better products and launch an online ordering system, taking his business to the next level. VBEC also helped him connect with other like-minded business owners to better understand the community’s habits, wants and needs. Chan’s dream is to expand his restaurants across Canada, “We know we can do it. We’re in one of the most diverse places in the world!”

The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma

Madonna Cicconi is the founder of

Cicco Aroma, a plant-based and ecofriendly skincare line. The brand has a loyal following for its organic body butters, recharging bath salts and mood-boosting rollers. Cicconi’s dream has always been to open a community hub to help inspire others on their wellness journeys. With funding opportunities she secured through the City of Vaughan, Cicconi opened The Wellness Studio, a space where she sells her products and hosts empowering workshops focused on mindfulness and relaxation. Cicconi credits Vaughan’s Starter Company Plus Program with helping her develop a business plan and marketing strategy to help her expand.

If you're looking to fuel your entrepreneurial journey, Vaughan is the perfect place to plant your roots.

Explore programs like Starter Company Plus and My Main Street and discover the resources available to empower your success at vaughanbusiness.ca

Fuelling Innovation: Communitech's 25-Year

Legacy

of Superior Support

Tech startups can rely on the supports that Communitech offers, fostering innovation, growth, and global success for founders.

The journey of a tech startup can be a daunting one in today’s digital landscape, fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Recognizing this reality, Communitech has been a pillar of support to tech founders.

Founded in 1997 by visionary tech founders who understood the importance of community in driving innovation and success, Communitech has remained steadfast in its mission to help founders start, grow, and succeed at every stage of their journey.

“We’ve been at the forefront of nurturing innovation and creating a thriving tech community for over 25 years,” said Joel Semeniuk, Chief Strategy Officer at Communitech. “We’re proud to champion our founders on the global stage as they guide us toward a future fuelled by innovation.”

At the core of Communitech’s ethos is the belief that collaboration and connectivity are essential drivers of growth and success. By providing founders with access to a vibrant community of peers, mentors, and industry

experts, Communitech facilitates invaluable networking opportunities that enable startups to thrive.

“From the onset, Communitech’s unique ecosystem of advisors, entrepreneurs, and government officials offered us the right blend of expertise and connections,” said Walid Mowaswes, CEO of PharmaGuide. “Whether it was through mentorship, networking events, or access to critical resources, Communitech has been an essential partner in our journey to scale and commercialize our products effectively.”

From assisting with talent acquisition and retention to facilitating access to growth financing and creating connections with potential customers, Communitech serves as Canada’s tech supercharger, empowering founders to realize their visions and achieve their goals. By connecting startups with the right people at the right time, Communitech gives them the support and guidance they need to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and emerge as industry leaders.

To learn more scan the QR code.

Madonna Cicconi Founder, Cicco Aroma

This article was sponsored by Communitech

This article was sponsored by the City of Vaughan

Joel Semeniuk Chief Strategy Officer, Communitech

Johnny Chan Founder, Poke Guys

Walid Mowaswes CEO, PharmaGuide

Are Canada’s Small Businesses Ready to Embrace the Promise of AI?

A new study digs into the top challenges and opportunities for Canadian SMEs related to AI adoption.

Tania Amardeil

As any small business owner will tell you — and there are many, as 1.21 million of Canada’s 1.22 million employer businesses are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — running an SME isn’t for the faint of heart. These businesses have an outsized impact on the markets they support, contributing significantly to Canada’s economic success, and doing it all with access to fewer resources than their enterprise neighbours. Small business owners need all the tools and support that they can get to optimize productivity, efficiency and agility.

AI is a powerful tool that can help small business owners take their businesses to new heights, but are SMEs ready to adapt to a new way of work? A new study from Microsoft of SME business leaders across industries reveals AI adoption is high, but more education and guidance are needed to help SMEs to overcome common hurdles and fully realize the benefits.

AI for Small Business

There’s no question that harnessing AI can have immense benefits for a wide range of small businesses. From boosting employee productivity and marketing efficiency to enhancing customer service and jumpstarting content creation, the benefits of AI are irrefutable.

Nearly 78 per cent of SMEs are right now seeking to adopt AI and 65 per cent are encouraging their employees to use it, a clear indication that the AI future has arrived. And the future is a productive one – 76 per cent of SMEs say the impact of AI on their business productivity has been positive. On average, SMEs in the study saw an increase of 31 per cent in productivity.

Laying the Right Foundations

There’s no question that harnessing AI can have immense benefits for a wide range of small businesses.

Despite the obvious benefits, some hesitation remains from Canada’s SME business leaders. While financing or costs was identified as a key barrier to adopting more AI, information security and skilling/training were also identified as top concerns. These should lead SMEs to take a considered and thoughtful approach to AI adoption.

Organizations seeing the best gains in productivity and innovation start with the right groundwork and foundations to amplify its impact:

Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with risks increasing in frequency and sophistication every year. As AI adoption and usage increases, it’s critical for SMEs to evaluate their

cybersecurity stance and ensure they have basic hygiene practices in place. Microsoft’s Security 101 training can help you and your team up to speed on the fundamentals and best practices.

Skilling: AI offers tremendous potential to empower your workforce, but only if everyone has the skills to use it. Microsoft offers a number of free resources to help you get your team up to speed. Visit the AI skills web page for more information at microsoft. com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/ ai-skills-resources.

AI has significant potential to enhance employee productivity and business workflows, and solutions like Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant for work that’s accessible and intuitive, can be an easy way for SMEs to get started. Copilot will enable SME employees to streamline work processes and augment their tasks to free up time for higher-value work.

To learn more, visit microsoft.com/ en-ca/ microsoft-365/ business/copilotfor-microsoft-365

article is sponsored by Microsoft.

Investment in AI is among the top 5 priorities for SMBs

This

Protecting Intellectual Property: The Secret Sauce to Canadian Startup Success

Tech startup supporter, Communitech, has all the resources startups need to defend their innovative ideas in the digital age.

The modern day tech scene sets a stage for innovators to be successful digital pioneers.

But before they dive headfirst and share their brilliant solutions with the world, they need to suit up with some pretty strong armour: intellectual property protection.

Intellectual property (IP) can make or break a startup’s success. It’s key to protecting innovations, securing market position early, and attracting investment.

What is intellectual property?

With the tech ecosystem evolving at lightning speed, the importance of IP has never been more pronounced. Research shows that businesses that manage their IP strategically are more likely to grow domestically and internationally, and grow at a higher rate.

“You wouldn’t build on land without securing it,” said Alexis Conrad, Principal IP Advisor, Communitech. “Similarly, developing proprietary technologies without safeguards can leave them vulnerable. Whether you’re protecting ideas or asserting your rights, knowing the boundaries of your IP is key to building a solid foundation for your business.”

IP protection includes trademarks - symbols, logos, or phrases used to distinguish goods or services of one party from those of others. Copyright ensures exclusive rights are granted to creators of original works. Patents give exclusive rights to inventors for new inventions, processes, or products. Industrial design (design patents south of the border) are similar to patents with a lens for aesthetic features. Lastly, trade secrets protect confidential information that provide a company a competitive advantage only when kept secret to maintain its value.

How IP protection secures success

Investors are increasingly focused on startups with strong IP portfolios, recognizing the value of proprietary technology and market exclusivity. By securing IP rights, startups can attract funding, partnerships, and acquisition opportunities, fuelling their growth. IP also encourages innovation by

incentivizing companies to invest in research and development, knowing their inventions will be protected from unauthorized use or imitation.

IP protection challenges

In a globalized economy, Canada's approach to IP is increasingly important, as it directly impacts the country's competitiveness and economic growth.

There’s a big knowledge gap, however, when it comes to IP business strategy and implementation. According to the Government of Canada’s Intellectual Property Office, only 17 per cent of companies say IP protection is needed, and only nine per cent of innovative companies say they have an IP strategy. Another barrier is cost.

“For some startups, affordability can be a challenge when it comes to IP,” said Conrad. “If this is a big enough barrier, they’re likely to leave ideas and innovations on the table for others to take.”

A nationwide initiative

Communitech, in partnership with Invest Ottawa and North Forge Technology Exchange, plays a significant role in supporting startups with their IP needs. Through programs like ElevateIP, startups are provided with the tools, resources, and expertise to identify and protect their assets.

to break into new markets, strategically differentiate their offering, and boost their bottom line. Improved access to resources and support is critical because it paves the way for continuous growth, a global competitive edge, and protection from competition.”

“The last thing startups need are financial roadblocks standing in the way of their ground-breaking ideas. By helping companies protect their innovations and mitigate risks with confidence, we’re setting them up for success and will undoubtedly see an even bigger wave of creativity and entrepreneurship across the country in the coming years,” said Joelle Foster, President and CEO of North Forge Technology Exchange.

IP is critical to success for startups like Yellowbird Diagnostics Inc., which specializes in biomedical imaging solutions across commonly used clinical imaging technologies. The startup filed unique patents for each of its products, knowing its findings would eventually have real commercial value.

The last thing startups need are financial roadblocks standing in the way of their groundbreaking ideas.

ElevateIP is a nationwide initiative funded through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It was announced in the 2021 federal budget, which included a commitment for $90 million over four years, starting in 2022-2023. Communitech was one of five regional organizations across Canada chosen to deliver the programming and is working with Invest Ottawa, North Forge Technology Exchange and other partners to design and deliver ElevateIP programming in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

“IP is one of the secret ingredients for sustainable growth and can be a key element of long-term success,” said Sonya Shorey, Interim President and CEO, Invest Ottawa. “With the right support, founders can use the power of IP

“Our IP advisor at Invest Ottawa guided us through the whole process, which was helpful for us because we don’t know what a good deal looks like,” said Nick Calvert, co-founder and CEO, Yellowbird Diagnostics Inc. “We’re scientists by trade, so these legal questions are not our wheelhouse. But we did know that if you make the wrong deal along the way, it can kill the company. One of the biggest fears I had about assigning these patents was whether I’d be able to afford them all.”

Looking ahead

By understanding the importance of IP and tapping into available resources, startups will see long-term growth, innovation, and success.

“ElevateIP is helping us work with tech companies to ensure IP created in Canada ultimately contributes to economic and social benefits,” said Conrad. “We need to keep talent and IP ownership in Canada to thrive.”