The Start-up Network of a Lifetime

Government of Canada Invests in Venture for Canada

April 21, 2017 - Halifax, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Growing a strong middle class requires job creation and skills training. That is why the Government of Canada is investing $202,959 in Venture for Canada as it recruits, trains, and supports Canadian youth to work at high-growth start-ups. By making innovation a national priority, the Government will ensure that Canada’s middle class continues to thrive, with good-paying jobs for a highly skilled and educated workforce.

The support was announced today by Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. Funding is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program (BDP).

Venture for Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that recruits the best and brightest university graduates to work at small and medium-sized start-ups for a two-year period. Mentoring and training are integral components of the start-up experience for successful applicants. This support and hands-on learning makes the Fellows better prepared to become entrepreneurs upon completion of the program.

Fellows attend a four-week training camp at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where they become versed in subjects such as management practices, social entrepreneurship, family business, communications, sales strategies and conflict resolution. In the 2016-2017 Fellowship cohort, just over 60 fellows were chosen to participate from amongst nearly 2,200 applicants. Of these selected Fellows, over one third will be placed at Atlantic Canadian start-ups.

This project will enable Venture for Canada to continue expanding its national program to advance youth entrepreneurship development through a combination of paid experiential learning, mentoring, coaching and training practices. This initiative will contribute to the growth of a highly experienced and educated base of enthusiastic young people who will become the future founders of successful and innovative Atlantic companies.