Startup support organizations in Atlantic Canada are re-opening again, within the parameters laid out by provincial governments.
For example, Planet Hatch in Fredericton is re-opening with improved safety regulations, as explained in this video. As of now, the facility is only open for tenants and staff to ensure not too many people are present at once.
We also have an update this week from Navigate Startup House in Sydney, which is planning its Island Entrepreneurs Exposition later this month.
If you're scheduling a webinar or online event for June 29 or later, please let us know by Friday, June 26, and we will include it in our update next week. You can reach us at peter@entrevestor.com. It also makes sense for entrepreneurs to check on support organizations themselves as things are changing so rapidly.
Here is the list of organizations that we’ve heard from:
Pan-Regional
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ACOA is distributing $110 million of federal funding to small and medium-sized companies that do not qualify for other forms of emergency assistance. ACOA said the Regional Recovery and Relief Fund is aimed at the manufacturing, technology and tourism sectors, among others. The economic development agency is asking applicants to first speak to an ACOA program officer and then fill out an online application form, found here.
Propel's Phase 2 cohort is continuing to be offered virtually, with Propel’s e-Learning management system, its virtual fireside chats and online meetings with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. The organization is allowing all accelerators and incubators in the region to offer their participating companies free access to Propel’s online curriculum for assessing product-market fit. The organization has announced its Incite accelerator will now have continuous intake, so founders who qualify can start it at any time.
CDL has launched CDL Recovery, a national rapid response program to help companies or individuals working on innovations that will help with economic or medical recovery in the coming six to 18 months. The program will run until August, and applications are open here.
The Springboard network has established a COVID-19 Rapid Response Table, comprising members from colleges and universities, as well as ACOA. The Table will support Springboard's 19 member institutions in their work with health authorities and businesses responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The Springboard team has also assembled a list of additional resources, which can be viewed here.
The East Coast supercluster is seeking applications from across Canada for short-term, innovative projects. Under the Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program, the federally backed supercluster will spend up to $35 million to back small-scale projects that can be brought to market in less than two years.
EmerGence has never been a "bricks and mortar" incubator, so it continues to work with its clients in Atlantic Canada and across Canada through virtual channels. It's also encouraging any member company that has a question about coping with the current situation to contact staff via email. It's asking members to consult the PEI BioAlliance "Covid-19 News and Resources" page.
The FundingTalks webinar series is being offered by the Jameson Group and its partners. These webinars will discuss issues of concern for founders, funders and stakeholders, and are being offered free for a limited time.
Modeled on successful programs in the U.S. and U.K., Lab2Market works with PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers to determine whether their scientific discoveries can be developed into startups. It is now accepting applications here for its Halifax cohort until June 30.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Genesis is continuing to operate virtually. Applications remain open for Enterprise, Evolution, Women in Tech and Startup Visa. You can find more information on its COVID-19 Resources Page.
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology and Innovation
NATI has been accepting last-minute applications for the Atlantic Canadian mission for the Collision at Home program, though the deadline has now passed.
The Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship
MCE has announced it is offering virtual childcare for the participants of its workshops this summer in an effort to increase diversity. A complete list of its services during the pandemic can be found here.
Prince Edward Island
Startup Zone members can access the facility, as long as they are not showing COVID-19 symptoms nor exposed to high-risk groups. The staff is also compiling a list of resources (which can be found here), including how to take advantage of PEI's support fund.
The BioAlliance has set up a triage system to support companies as issues emerge around logistics, HR, cash flow, supply chain, inventory, etc. The group has also set up a "Covid-19 News and Resources" page.
Nova Scotia
NSBI has been hosting a series of webinars during the crisis to help entrepreneurs navigate the current business climate. The organization has also posted a resource page on its website.
Innovacorp has been working with companies, such as Leadsift and Securicy to use tech developed in Nova Scotia to help entrepreneurs. You can find Innovacorp's COVID-19 resource page here.
Volta is offering a free, six-week course in June and July to help entrepreneurs make plans to navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Volta Academy: Recovery will include instruction from industry experts and cover topics such as financial planning, legal concerns and marketing. Applications are open here. Volta has also posted a page of tips for working from home.
Ignite's Yarmouth facilities have 24-hour access for tenant companies but have put distancing and cleaning procedures in place. The Pictou County location has cancelled all events and staff is working from home.
Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre
SMUEC is offering free strategy sessions to any businesses struggling to help plan around the current crisis.
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
CEED's workshops are being held in an online format. The Centre has posted a Covid-19 resource page, which includes information on Nova Scotia's supports for small businesses.
Mashup Lab offers virtual programming so its two current Dream Business cohorts will experience no interruption. The group is organizing a virtual round-table discussion with past participants and alumni to discuss how this situation is impacting them and their businesses. WorkEvolved (the group’s network of co-working spaces) will remain open for the time being with some strict cleaning protocols. A video explaining the situation can be found here.
The Centre for Women in Business
The CWB at Mount St. Vincent University is increasing the frequency with which it offers online programs such as its newly launched Coffee Talk.
Navigate is working with local music cooperative CB Mic on a fundraising project for the music industry. Navigate Startup House, in association with Cape Breton speaker series “the10”, is presenting the Island Entrepreneurs Exposition on June 24 and 25 in a special online event. Dragons’ Den panelist and venture capitalist Michele Romanow will be the keynote speaker.
Halifax Partnership has announced a collaboration with BoomersPlus to offer online consulting services to entrepreneurs struggling to navigate the pandemic. You can find more information and register here. The Partnership's Connector Program, in which experienced business people offer mentorship to young people entering the job market or starting businesses, has now gone virtual.
The Nova Scotia life sciences organization has moved all necessary face-to-face meetings to electronic formats – Zoom, Skype etc.
The ideaHUB is supporting companies virtually. The team is publishing a biweekly blog to share information about the facility and the Dalhousie Faculty of Engineering.
New Brunswick
The Venn Centre in Moncton has reopened in line with New Brunswick's health and safety guidelines. The organization has also welcomed back many of the incubator teams participating in its Garage program.
University of New Brunswick TME Group
The Technology, Management and Entrepreneurship crew is working remotely. You can find the UNB coronavirus policy here. The university's Energia Ventures accelerator is also hosting Virtual Lunches.
Planet Hatch, the entrepreneurship hub operated by Ignite Fredericton, is re-opening with improved safety measures, such as sanitizer stations, available face masks and disposable gloves, designated entry and exit doors, etc.
New Brunswick Innovation Foundation
NBIF hus begun to reopen its office, with half of its staff working at the office and the other half from home. NBIF has posted an open letter from CEO Jeff White, which outlines the organization's plans going forward.
The Moncton-area economic development body is working virtually and has set up a Covid-19 Resources page.
Economic Development Greater Saint John
The EDGSJ team is working from home and is reaching out to members, clients and community to make sure everyone is supported.
National Organizations
Council of Canadian Innovators
The organization has been advocating on behalf of high-growth innovation companies in the country since the downturn began. The group has set up a slack channel where high-growth entrepreneurs can discuss the challenges they are facing.
Entrevestor updates this list and reposts it a couple of times a month to keep the community up to date on what’s happening at the various support organizations.
