Startup Canada has issued a call for partnership proposals today from grassroots, entrepreneur-led coworking spaces, incubators, and makerspaces across Canada that will create or provide physical spaces for Startup Canada Members to start and grow their businesses.
The spaces will be available to entrepreneurs through the Startup Canada passport, a component of the Startup Canada Membership program.
“Co-working spaces help entrepreneurs save resources, collaborate with like minds, and anchor their companies in the community,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada.
“Co-working spaces help entrepreneurs save resources, collaborate with like minds, and anchor their companies in the community.”
Eligible recipients of the fund, called the Startup Canada Startup Space Fund, must be centrally located in the business district of city or town in Canada and include a desk, chair, Internet access, and common areas. The recipients will become official Partners of the Startup Canada Membership Program and be identified as Preferred Partners to facilitate further lead generation for the spaces.
“The partnerships established through the Startup Canada Startup Space Fund will give entrepreneurs across Canada easy access to innovative places to work, whether they are travelling for business and need a hot desk, or want to move from the kitchen table to a professional office,” said Lennox.
The Startup Canada Startup Space Fund is supported by TruShield Insurance, Intuit Canada, UPS, and TELUS, and is the second investment initiative released by Startup Canada; earlier this year, Startup Canada announced the recipients of the Startup Canada Ecosystem Investment Fund, which supports high-impact, entrepreneur-driven initiatives to connecting and supporting local startup communities across Canada.
Proposals for the Startup Canada Startup Space Fund are due October 7. Besides proposals, Startup Canada is also accepting donations of space from established incubators and accelerators. Successful partners will be announced during Startup Canada’s #EveryEntrepreneur Tour, which supports and celebrates entrepreneurs and community builders through announcements, workshops, launch parties, and pitch contests across Canada.
To apply for the fund, click here.