Startup Canada, the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s entrepreneurs, and Export Development Canada announced today the recipients of the 2017 Adam Chowaniec Memorial Fund for Global Entrepreneurship. The Fund invests in high-impact initiatives that advance the prospects of Canada’s globally-oriented, entrepreneur-led companies.
“Canadian companies with global connections are strong ambassadors of Canada as a leading destination for talent and investment,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada. “We are proud to support organizations that are promoting inclusive economic growth through programs for youth, LGBT, and more entrepreneurs to achieve their international business aspirations.”
The recipients of the 2017 Adam Chowaniec Memorial Fund for Global Entrepreneurship are:
ImpactCup by Entrelaunch (Barrie, ON) | A summer camp inspiring and empowering young entrepreneurs with the key support and tools they need to succeed.
LGBT Business Conference & Americas Summit by Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (Toronto, ON) | A conference that brings together entrepreneurs from across the Americas to build networks and discover economic opportunities. The Summit will include panels and networking opportunities to support Canadian entrepreneurs in the LGBT community to take their companies global.
Go Global Workshop Weekend by Innovation Central Society (Prince George, BC) | A weekend bootcamp that provides entrepreneurs with the practical advice needed to succeed in global sales.
“We are pleased to congratulate this year’s recipients,” said Carl Burlock, Senior Vice-President of Financing and International Growth Capital at EDC. “The diversity of these initiatives really reflects the talent and inclusive spirit of Canada’s entrepreneurship community, of which Adam Chowaniec was a vigorous champion.”
The Adam Chowaniec Memorial Fund for Global Entrepreneurship was established in 2015, in memory of Dr. Adam Chowaniec, the Founding Chairman of the Startup Canada Board of Directors and a former EDC Board Member. Dr. Chowaniec was known in Canada’s tech community for his involvement in starting, growing, and selling more than a dozen companies and creating the Amiga Computer.
Dr. Chowaniec championed Canada’s grassroots entrepreneurship movement with a particular goal of encouraging and supporting more Canadian entrepreneurs and business to anchor deeply in Canada and grow strong, global companies.
Quotes from Recipients:
"We are thrilled to have the support of the Adam Chowaniec Memorial Fund for Global Entrepreneurship to help our local entrepreneurs and would-be small business owners be better equipped and inspired to access international markets. We are look forward to providing information and mentoring to achieve great results for businesses in Prince George.” - Matt Hutcheon, Executive Director at the Innovation Central Society and Community Builder at Startup Prince George.
“The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is pleased to be a recipient of the Adam Chowaniec Memorial Fund for Global Entrepreneurship. This grant will support the upcoming LGBT Summit of the Americas, being held in Toronto in June. The Summit will provide a venue for LGBT entrepreneurs from Canada and across the Americas to come together, build global networks, learn from industry leaders, and discover ways to grow their economic opportunities beyond the domestic market.” - Darrell Schuurman, MBA Co-Founder & CEO of Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
“EntreLaunch is on a mission to change the world by empowering youth age 10-24 to think creatively, create social impact and think outside the box. In the next five years, our goal is to help over 150,000 youth build a brighter future through informal learning programs, workshops and entrepreneurial education. IMPACT Cup is a multi-day event designed to help attendees develop ideas to solve local, regional or global issues. We are launching a new generation of entrepreneurs.” - Rebecca Palmer CEO & Founder, EntreLaunch.
