Halifax-based innovation hub Volta today announced it will move its operations this fall to the Armoyan Centre at 1800 Argyle Street, the former World Trade Centre building.
The decade-old startup support organization until recently occupied the first three floors of the Maritime Centre, at the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road. With more than 40 resident startups, it needed that space before the pandemic, but the current trend of flexible office hours and hybrid operations means startups today need less space than before.
The Volta team and a few of the resident companies are working in the Regus co-working space in Founders Square until the new space is ready at the Armoyan Centre. Then Volta will occupy the eighth floor of the Armoyan Centre, one floor above the Invest Nova Scotia offices.
"We are thrilled about our upcoming move to The Armoyan Centre," said Volta CEO Matt Cooper in a statement. "This new location, along with our expanded virtual support, will enable us to better support the growth and development of early-stage startups in Halifax and Atlantic Canada by providing a central community space that fosters collaboration and founder connection."
The Armoyan Centre will mark the third location of Volta since it sprung to life 10 years ago. It started off occupying two floors of space above a mattress shop on Spring Garden Road. Then it moved to the Maritime Centre in a few years later.
In that time, Volta’s mission has changed so it now works with startups from across Atlantic Canada. More than half its resident companies offer virtual operations to their employees. This change has allowed Volta to better address the needs of the startup community in the region, said the organization.
Over the past 10 years, VOLTA has supported more than 150 startups that have collectively raised more than $400 million in venture capital funding and created over 3,500 jobs.
"We began our journey as two novice entrepreneurs at Volta's inaugural location,” said Thomas Rankin, CEO and Co-Founder of Dash Hudson, in a statement. “Throughout various significant transformations in our product and business, the unwavering support of the Volta community played a pivotal role in our growth. They served as our initial customers, a platform for brainstorming ideas, and a resource for finding our first employees. Now, as a flourishing business with over 220 employees in Downtown Halifax, we are thrilled to see the new Volta location and program embody the same spirit that contributed to our success."
The statement said the new space will feature a vibrant community centre, where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and work together. It will include dedicated offices, with priority given to teams that are developing a full-time, on-site workforce. Ample flexible workspace will allow startups the flexibility they need as their team size grows, it said.
"We are delighted to welcome Volta to The Armoyan Centre,” said George Armoyan, the owner of the Armoyan Centre. “This is a partnership that reflects our shared passion for fostering entrepreneurs and driving positive change in Nova Scotia. Volta's mission to empower startups in tackling the world's most pressing challenges perfectly aligns with our commitment to nurturing a vibrant community. Their presence will infuse our space with fresh ideas, energy, and inspiration, ultimately benefiting the broader Nova Scotia community."
