Innovation centre for startup companies opens downtown Sudbury
A $2 million operation designed to help startup businesses in Sudbury has opened its doors. It’s being described as a hub for innovation, creative thinking and collaboration.
The 5,000-square-foot space known as Innovation Quarters is home to an incubator program that will offer mentorship, growth and networking support for startup companies.
“The Innovation Quarters is designed to support startups who are leveraging in technology to create operational efficiencies, improve customer experiences and provide products and services in innovative ways,” said Lisa Demmer, of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC).
Through the approval of city council, the GSDC is spending more than $1 million on the program over the next four years.
Local politicians say a space like this is vital to have in the city.
“Small businesses in the first year, the majority -- over 90 per cent -- don’t survive,” said Marc Serré, Nickel Belt MP.
“So this is an area where you’ll have mentors, where you’ll have support for individuals to not only start up their business but also expand the businesses in all the areas so long as there’s a tech component within that business.”
The federal government provided $900,000 for the project.
“It went towards creating this space that we are gathered in today, and towards creating the staffing to help support the young entrepreneurs that will come here to develop their ideas,” said Viviane Lapointe, Sudbury MP.
Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger said the project wouldn’t have been possible without all of the support.
“All of the collaboration and support and the people you saw here today, all of the different organizations -- we really believe in the importance (of) support for business and entrepreneurial endeavours in Greater Sudbury,” said Bigger.
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce also provided $15,000. The overall price tag was just more than $2 million.
Applications for the first cohort of businesses will be accepted until Sept. 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.