Startup Canada was founded in 2012 out of a cross-country tour that mobilized thousands of Canadians in a conversation about how best to support entrepreneurs. Emerging from this grassroots beginning, the organization has become the recognized voice and rallying point for entrepreneurs nationwide. Each year, it supports more than one hundred thousand founders through a combination of national advocacy, regional startup communities, and direct connections to resources. Its mission is to remove barriers for entrepreneurs and to help make Canada the best place in the world to start and build a business.
Today, Startup Canada operates as both a convener and a champion of entrepreneurs. Nationally, it advocates with government and industry stakeholders to improve conditions for startups and small businesses. Regionally, it nurtures dozens of community-driven startup hubs across the country that connect local founders with each other and with national resources. By positioning itself as a bridge between grassroots entrepreneurs and the broader ecosystem, Startup Canada ensures that support and knowledge flow effectively across provinces and industries.
A key dimension of its work is its intermediary role in delivering financial support to entrepreneurs. While it does not directly fund startups, it partners with government bodies and corporate sponsors to administer initiatives that bring capital and resources to founders. Through these efforts, it ensures that entrepreneurs have practical access to funding opportunities, guidance on how to benefit from them, and tailored support to help them grow. This positioning as a trusted intermediary allows Startup Canada to amplify the impact of national funding programs and ensure they reach diverse and underrepresented groups.
In the past year, Startup Canada has expanded its initiatives to respond to the evolving needs of the entrepreneurial landscape. Its nationwide tour has continued to bring together early-stage entrepreneurs, support organizations, and investors in cities across Canada, creating spaces for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and access to resources. It has also launched partnerships and competitions designed to support founders from underrepresented communities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity. Internally, new leadership has been welcomed to its board of directors, strengthening its strategic direction and ensuring that it continues to reflect the dynamism of Canada’s startup ecosystem. Through all these activities, Startup Canada has reaffirmed its role as a unifying platform for entrepreneurs and as a vital intermediary for financial support programs that foster growth, innovation, and diversity.
