Growth is what Atlantic Canada’s startup community aims for, and the pursuit of growth motivates Anita Punamiya in her new role as CEO of regional accelerator Propel ICT.
Propel is Atlantic Canada’s accelerator for ICT startups. Begun in 2004 in Saint John, it has evolved from a tech promotion group to a thriving growth promoter. It offers two accelerators: Launch and Build. Launch is for pre-revenue companies while Build focuses on early revenue startups. Programs are delivered with the help of regional partners.
Punamiya said Propel is now looking at developing a program for mature companies with the name Growth. It’s also considering ways to help companies that don’t fit into existing programs.
“There were 162 applications for our spring cohort. We selected 36, which means there’s a whole group of entrepreneurs we didn’t select,” said Punamiya, who has been in her new role since February.
“How do we engage with them? They need to be back in the loop.”
She said that in 2012, Propel aimed to launch 36 companies in 36 months.
Today, the group has 36 companies in one cohort.
See the Companies in the Current Propel Cohort
“They won’t all be successful but the skills they learn in the program may help them start another business or be an employee,” she said.
“Entrepreneurship is a problem-solving mindset. It allows you to be one step ahead. It’s about finding opportunities in your circumstances.”
In many ways, leading Propel is a natural progression for Punamiya, who was raised in India, came to Canada in 2004 and has been involved with Propel in various capacities for the last 10 years.
“I want to contribute and I understand entrepreneurship,” she said. “I’m an entrepreneur myself. I find the journey exciting. It’s risky, but the gains are greater… Entrepreneurship is never a linear journey.
“The Propel vision guides my actions,” added the Saint John-based CEO.
“I provide support without spoon feeding.”
Propel is her focus, but Punamiya also works part-time at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, where she teaches cross-cultural communications and negotiations and social entrepreneurship.
And she is CEO of CompreCultures, an intercultural services provider, which is a partner of U.K.-based Richard Lewis Communications.
As a management consultant, she specializes in cross-cultural communications and international business. Her clients include Qualcomm, of the U.S. and India, Bell-Aliant, Innovatia, City of Saint John, and Enterprise Saint John.
She is also a Co-Founder of Shaping Purpose, an organization that helps individuals create meaning as they move through the various stages of life.
Punamiya worked in the United Arab Emirates between 1994 and 2004, which boosted her knowledge of different nationalities and cultures.
She’s also worked for government on projects related to immigration, settlement and integration in New Brunswick.
“As an immigrant, I understand the journey,” she said. “It’s not easy to leave all you know and your entire world behind.
“I find people here welcoming to a degree. The rest is dependent on you. You have to be part of the community and let people get a chance to know you and see you contribute.”
Immigrants offer, not only their own skills, but also the wider world.
“Employers here need to be more open,” she said. “Immigrants still have connections back home that can lead to new markets.”
She feels her own life is enriched by her new role.
“For years when I was on the board of Propel, I felt guilty for getting more out of it than I gave back. Now I can give back to other entrepreneurs and the community, to increase the global mindset, and different ways of thinking.
“Some people see my journey as a success story. When I came to Canada, I didn’t know anyone in the region, but I’ve managed to build a strong reputation that includes leadership roles.”
Disclaimer: Propel ICT advertises with Entrevestor.
