A Saskatchewan organization giving entrepreneurs a leg up is receiving financial support to the tune of $910,000, federal officials announced last Friday.
Over the next two years, the SK Startup Institute expects to train roughly 1,200 program participants and serve 2,500 clients.
The funding comes through PrairiesCan’s Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program, which invests in not-for-profit organizations assisting businesses across Canada’s various regional ecosystems.
PrairiesCan’s investment will be funnelled to the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) to support entrepreneurship under SREDA’s SK Startup Institute, a free support hub for entrepreneurs and startups that provides advice, training, and mentorship.
“Organizations like SREDA and the SK Startup Institute play an important role in nurturing that entrepreneurial drive by giving people the tools, mentorship, and connections they need to succeed,” Eleanor Olszewski, the minister responsible for PrairiesCan, said in a written statement.
Though delivered through SREDA and based out of Saskatoon, the SK Startup Institute’s services and support are available throughout Saskatchewan. Funding is expected to help the organization continue providing services in both Saskatoon and Regina, as well as in rural regions, for the next two years.
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Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development, said in a press release that the program will help create opportunities in communities across the province by connecting entrepreneurs with practical advice, mentorship, and resources.
Over the next two years of operations, the SK Startup Institute expects to train roughly 1,200 program participants, provide 6,000 business advisory services, and serve 2,500 clients.
“We’re grateful for PrairiesCan’s investment, which allows us to reach founders across Saskatchewan as they build businesses that create jobs, strengthen our economy, and expand opportunity,” SREDA CEO Erin Lawson said in a statement regarding the investment.
Feature image courtesy Unsplash. Photo by Joshua Reddekopp.