Start-up lab
Entrepreneurs: creative thinkers, jobs-generators, risk-takers, mavericks.
Whether entrepreneurship is a way to unleash your creativity, fulfill a technology dream, build wealth, live closer to the edge, or give back to the community, it’s a path we’re here to support.
As a start-up, you’re joining some of the best names in technology: ultra-successful innovators who choose Waterloo Region as their home over any other place in the world.
Entrepreneurs like you make Waterloo Region a top centre fo innovation. Newcomers comment on the area´s strong go-getting spirit. In fact, we’re a bit fanatical about entrepreneurship here. It must be something in the water. Okay, that and a huge amount of community support and innovative leaders who act as role models for new waves of rising stars.
Nowhere else in Canada does this level of entrepreneurial support exist. And Communitech is a big part of it, giving innovative entrepreneurs a focal point for support. Every month, you can get up-close-and-personal with successful businesspeople in intimate gatherings, receive specialized assistance, and take part in educational sessions designed just for you.
It’s all designed to inspire and support the next generation of start-ups and to help build strong companies, right here in the best technology region in Canada.
Keep reading for Start-up lab tools and information on Communitech programs and services.
Advice
Starting a business is exhilarating, challenging, and sometimes, a bit overwhelming. But when you get going, at least you know you´re not alone.
Communitech supports the start-up spark with advice, contacts and education to help you get off the ground and on the right footing. Tech needs are unique and we make sure you’re connected with just the right type of assistance to help you overcome hurdles, avoid pitfalls, refine plans, finesse pitches, meet with financiers, and find mentors.
Since 2000, we’ve worked with more than 175 early-growth and fledgling entrepreneurs, helping local emerging tech companies become investment-ready, and growth-ready. Past clients include Fakespace, Handshake, Arius Software, Sandvine, Diskstream, and Software Innovation.
The first step?
Call us. We’ll help you figure out if you’re ready for the market, assess the shape of your business plan, discuss the issues you’re facing, talk about what you need to move from vision to reality, and of course, discuss how we can help.
We have the expertise and connections to recommend the right contacts to save you time, money and aggravation, and help you plan effectively for the next stage of growth. Ready for the first step? Contact us now.
Coaches Network
You can learn a lot from someone who has been through the ups and downs of business (…or two or three).
When you’re ready, Communitech’s Coaches Network steps in with their expertise. The group is made up of successful entrepreneurs with great experience in roles critical to growing a business. They work one-on-one with you to answer questions that are keeping you from reaching the next level in your business. Find out what you should be doing at different stages of business, get help clarifying your concept, find out about patent ins and outs, develop a marketing, financial, legal or tax plan that sets you on the path for success, and build connections to grow your business.
Coaches provide ongoing support and review your pitch before you move on from the network. Communitech makes sure the fit is just right between you and your coach, recruiting skilled volunteer coaches and managing the valuable coach-entrepreneur series of meetings. Members tell us they receive great value through the network, with connections to skilled patent agents, and seasoned management for personnel needs, revitalization and strategy issues and global expansion and new markets entry. Contact us for more information on the Coaches Network.
Are you a seasoned entrepreneur ready to share some insight about your own successes…and mistakes? Become a coach to an eager start-up. So far, our coaches include CFOs, accountants, lawyers and patent agents. We’d love to talk to you. Email Gary for more information.
Education
Entrepreneur Week
Such a strong history and culture of entrepreneurship needs to be celebrated - a time to recognize the special breed of risk-taker and innovator that has built Waterloo Region into a world-class tech centre.
In October 2004, Communitech did just that, launching the first annual Entrepreneur Week: Celebrating Discovery and Innovation. With 10 events over eight days, the week gave budding entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to learn the secrets of success from some of the best and brightest start-up minds in North America. More than 2000 people went away from workshops, lectures and special events with inspiration, new contacts and a rich bank of knowledge.
Meet mentors, professional service firms, investors, government and business organizations. Address risk aversion, hear about the rewards, learn about different models of entrepreneurship and discover ideas and innovations just a little outside the norm.
Chapter Series
Communitech’s one-day Chapter series is a must-attend event during Entrepreneur Week. Heading into its third year, Chapter 3: Market Execution: Protection, Transaction, Competition, Satisfaction--Put your tech company into action - held on Thursday, October 6, 2005.
Focus was on protecting your intellectual property. Financing your emerging business. Selling and competing globally. Building a highly skilled and motivated team. Learn about all aspects of building a technology company at Chapter 3
The Chapter Series is a FREE event for aspiring and early-stage technology entrepreneurs (students welcome!) in the Waterloo Region.
Interact with experienced technology company executives who have been in your shoes, and meet the people who can help you build your company.
Is yours a brilliant paper-napkin idea or a full-scale business plan ready to launch? Either way, this series is for you!
Tech Leadership Conference & Tech Expo
Every spring, we customize a tech leadership conference with Communitech members in mind! Great speakers with great experiences address the growth issues members at all levels of business are talking about. In 2005, our theme related to markets, money and people (read the feedback, see the agenda). For the two years before that, talent leadership was the talk of the day.
In 2005, we also added a new twist: Tech Expo, an interactive technology playroom and a showcase for attendees to experience the latest, greatest technology built in our own backyard. And of course, good old-fashioned networking.
Our Tech Leadership Conference is just one day, but the results really last.
Find out what it takes to lead a technology business in an ultra-competitive marketplace and leave with the insights of others that you can use to grow your business. For exhibitors, this is a great opportunity to promote your ‘wares’ to potential business partners, advocates, VCs and the media.
Tech Legal & Tech Finance Clinics
Salary? Bonuses? Tax credits? What exactly should you be taking advantage of?
Getting your business up and running is a big accomplishment, but to make sure you get it right for the long-term, you’ll need expert tax, accounting and legal advice. Start here, at Communitech’s new Tech Legal and Tech Finance Clinics, where legal and financial experts take centre stage to give you practical information on current issues that may affect you, and the ideas to address them.
Entrepreneur Peer 2 Peer
Share the excitement - and challenges - of starting up with fellow techpreneurs. When you’re starting and growing a new venture, different issues seem to pop up every week. Raise them in this non-threatening forum and benefit from feedback from peers who are experiencing the same challenges and thrills that you are. This monthly group was launched and is by invitation only. For more on this group visit the Peer 2 Peer site.
Money matters
Some say that money makes the world go round. While that may not be true for everything, money can certainly make or break a business.
Communitech makes sure money meets ideas by helping businesses reach qualified investors through. We have a long-standing relationship with independent businesspeople who, together, provide seed funding to early-stage entrepreneurs. By working with Communitech and other experts, your presentation will be polished before meeting with potential funders.
We’ll make recommendations that are suitable for your business. Email us for more information and business advice.
ViaTech
Communitech is an active partner of ViaTech. We can provide access to this local technology network for confidential consultations that can eventually prepare you for the angel or venture capital presentation stage. ViaTech’s no-cost group forum provides a great opportunity to discuss your business challenges while gaining expert, focused direction from local professionals in areas that may be challenging for you, including accounting, new product development, marketing/communications, legal, or financing.
Tech 5 presentations
Take five at Tech 5.
You might not get your 15 minutes of fame right off the mark, but Communitech’s breakfast and lunch forums give you 5 minutes to strut your stuff. It’s a great way to build awareness for your business within the tech community.
Tech 5s are for entrepreneurs who’ve proven their presentation skills through the Coaches Network, ViaTech, or other routes.
Resources & links:
Check out these links for inspiration and information to build tech and early-growth businesses.
General start-up
Commercialiization and innovation
Intellectual property
Financing
Exporting
Marketing & how-to articles