Startup Canada Names Fredericton National Startup Community of the Year
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s capital has been named “2016 Startup Community of the Year” by Startup Canada.
The award was announced Tuesday in Toronto and was co-accepted by the Taskforce Fredericton Startup Network and the City of Fredericton.
“Fredericton has been on a set course since the development of our 2013 economic development strategy,” said Fredericton mayor Michael O’Brien in a release. “I think it’s fair to say that we have arrived in terms of achieving our vision as ‘Startup Capital of Canada.’ This is a proud moment for Fredericton.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Taskforce Fredericton Startup Network has mapped entrepreneurial services available in New Brunswick through its “Subway” model to guide entrepreneurs based on their phase of business.
“As chief of operations for a local startup company, I can attest to the amazing support system in place in Fredericton,” said Erin Flood, current chairperson of Taskforce Fredericton Startup Network, in a release. “Our company, Hot Spot Parking, had the benefit of working with numerous organizations represented on our task force – it’s truly a unique environment here.”
Also on Tuesday, former mayor of Fredericton, Brad Woodside, was recognized as the national winner of the 2016 Startup Canada Policy Prize for his policy leadership in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship – notably during the community’s Vision 2020 process.