GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS START-UP BUSINESSES ACROSS SOUTHERN ONTARIO

“With this investment, early-stage businesses will be able to access the mentorship and capital they need to grow and succeed. The Government of Canada is committed to helping grow companies that create jobs so that we can continue to foster a strong and inclusive economic recovery.”
– The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“With generous support from the Government of Canada, we are working closely with not-for-profit organizations across southern Ontario to remove barriers for local entrepreneurs and provide them with access to the capital, mentorship and growth networks that drive job creation and inclusive economic prosperity. Leveraging our national platform and local networks, we are creating new pathways to capital for entrepreneurs to build a more equitable innovation ecosystem.”
– Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital Organization

“The support from the Government of Canada helps enable angel investors across southern Ontario invest their own funds into start-ups and mentor entrepreneurs in their local communities. This leads directly to job creation and contributes to inclusive growth across the whole region.”
– Jeffrey Steiner, President and Executive Director, Angel Investors Ontario

• Southern Ontario is home to more than 400,000 SMEs, accounting for 35% of the Canadian total. The region generates 37% of the national GDP and is home to almost 50% of all employees in high- tech, financial services and other knowledge-intensive industries.

• Angel investors are established and experienced entrepreneurs who invest their time and money in high growth companies and start-ups in exchange for an equity position.

• Incorporated in 2002, National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)’s national network includes 4,200 angel investors, 50 incubators and accelerators, and 45 angel groups that have invested $1.12 billion into 1,500 entrepreneurial companies. NACO enables the emergence of high-growth companies in Canada by mobilizing angel capital, filling critical gaps in the national funding ecosystem, and working to advance more equitable access to capital for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and communities.

• Since 2007, Angel Investors Ontario (AIO) has fostered Angel groups’ success by sharing information and education tools, and transferring best practices across its network of 16 not-for-profit angel groups and 14 investment clubs. This has enabled just over $500 million dollars to be invested into 700 high-potential early-stage ventures, in turn creating and retaining close to 15,000 jobs.

• Since November 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $11.6 million into 16 angel networks, which led to nearly 1,000 new angel investments worth more than $225 million into businesses in southern Ontario.

• The Government of Canada’s regional development agencies are continuing to deliver targeted support for economic recovery. Application intakes for the Jobs and Growth Fund, Canada Community Revitalization Fund, Tourism Relief Fund, Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative, and Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative are open in southern Ontario through FedDev Ontario.