OTTAWA, October 5th, 2018 – The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, will join Startup Canada on October 18, 2018 as a co-presenting sponsor of the fifth annual Startup Canada Day on the Hill.
Startup Canada Day on the Hill is the largest annual gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators, anchor companies, investors, industry leaders, media and government decision-makers to raise the bar in building Canada as an innovative, entrepreneurial nation. This year, Startup Canada Day on the Hill is a significant part of BDC Small Business Week™ 2018.
Expected to draw over 2,000 attendees to the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa, Startup Canada Day on the Hill will bring together some of Canada’s top entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and government officials to discuss and promote policies to support startup and small business growth.
Up-and-coming entrepreneurs will also be inspired to grow and innovate with cutting-edge insights from world-class speakers; have a voice to government on the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada; and be plugged into national and global networks to find mentors, investors, customers, and support to grow their business.
“BDC is the bank for entrepreneurs and is proud to partner with Startup Canada for the third year in a row as the leading organization in Canada advancing economic growth and competitiveness through entrepreneurship,” said Michael Denham, President, and CEO of BDC. “Startup Canada’s digital leadership, national programming, local impact and strong government and industry partnerships are what Canada needs to make meaningful strides to create a mainstream shift for women-led businesses and social innovation to thrive.”
“Startup Canada is proud to partner with BDC to grow social innovation and responsible enterprise across Canada,” said Startup Canada CEO Victoria Lennox “Creating the necessary social and economic shifts requires government, industry and the entrepreneur sector to come together, work together and create exponential progress. Through supporting national digital initiatives like the THRIVE Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs, Pow Wow Pitch, Startup Canada Day on the Hill and the Startup Canada Awards, BDC is investing in a thriving entrepreneurial Canada.”
At Startup Canada Day on the Hill, BDC is working alongside Startup Canada to provide a platform for all entrepreneurs to meet with Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Standing Committees and Ministers to discuss the future of Canada as an entrepreneurial nation. Michael Denham, President, and CEO of BDC will kick off the event with opening remarks and, along with other BDC officials, be available for mentorship sessions.
BDC has partnered with Startup Canada since 2015, and with small and medium-sized businesses employing more than 90 percent of all Canadians, BDC and Startup Canada have worked together to help provide entrepreneurs with the guidance, skills, and tools they need to start and grow their business. BDC was a significant partner supporting the 2017 International Women’s Day whereby both organizations supported hundreds of women entrepreneurs across 30 different grassroots communities.
Startup Canada Day on the Hill will conclude with the national Startup Canada Awards Ceremony, a celebratory event to reward outstanding individuals and businesses advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.
For more information, please contact:
Maddie Stiles
Media Relations
1-613-627-0787 ext. 105
maddie.stiles@startupcan.ca
About BDC
BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. With its 118 business centres from coast to coast, BDC provides businesses in all industries with financing and advisory services. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions. BDC is also the first financial institution in Canada to receive B Corp certification. To find out more, visit bdc.ca.
About BDC Small Business Week™
BDC Small Business WeekTM is a Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) trademark whose origins date back to 1979 when BDC business centres in British Columbia’s Lower Fraser Valley pooled their resources to organize a week of activities for entrepreneurs. This first event and the one that followed in 1980 were so successful that BDC officially launched BDC Small Business WeekTM across Canada in 1981. The initiative was quickly adopted by Canada’s business community. This BDC flagship event celebrates entrepreneurship at the local, provincial and national levels.
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.