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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.