Understanding how to raise capital is an important step for many growing companies.
Join Innovate Niagara for the first session of our Investment 101 Series, featuring Alexander Morsink, Co-Founder & CEO of Equivesto.
This session will provide founders and entrepreneurs with a practical introduction to capital raising, including what investors look for, common fundraising pitfalls, and how to prepare for meaningful investor conversations.
🎟️ Registration Fee: $10
🍕 Pizza lunch included
Whether you're actively pursuing investment or planning for future growth, this workshop will help you better understand the fundraising landscape and what it takes to become investment-ready.
See what our clients & partners are up to this month!
HeyCoach Takes the Global Stage
Innovate Niagara client HeyCoach is gaining international recognition for its AI-powered coaching platform that's transforming youth athlete development.
Recently named a Top 5 finalist in the International Olympic Committee's Future of Play 2026 Sport Innovation Challenge, the team presented at Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, before some of the world's leading sport organizations. Following that success, HeyCoach was selected for the IOC's Tech4Sport Accelerator, further accelerating its global growth.
Momentum is building at home as well. HeyCoach recently expanded into ringette, welcoming the Burlington Blast to the platform, and announced that Rob Zettler, NHL Assistant Coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has joined as a Strategic Advisor. The team will also be attending The Coaches Site Live conference in Edmonton.
Looking ahead, the company expects to announce its first national team partnership in the near future, is preparing to open its next fundraising round on the strength of encouraging early signals, and is actively building new partnerships.
It's exciting to see another Niagara-founded company making an impact on the global stage while continuing to innovate here at home.
The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre is now accepting applications for the 2026 Starter Company Plus program.
Designed for early-stage entrepreneurs, the program helps business owners build a strong foundation through practical training, one-on-one business guidance, mentorship opportunities, and access to grants of up to $5,000 for eligible participants.
The program is ideal for businesses that have launched within the past two years, are transitioning from part-time to full-time, have recently changed ownership, or are looking to accelerate their growth.
Application deadline: Thursday, August 6 at 12:00 p.m.
Have a business idea you're ready to explore? Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 Navigate Cohort at Brock LINC.
This 11-week program is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop and grow their ideas through hands-on learning, one-on-one support from Brock LINC staff, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and a collaborative startup community.
Niagara College Research & Innovation Named Business of the Year
Congratulations to Niagara College Research & Innovation on being named the 2026 Business of the Year by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce.
The award recognizes the division's outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in supporting businesses across Niagara. Through its five Innovation Centres, Research & Innovation helps small and medium-sized enterprises commercialize ideas, advance applied research, and bring new innovations to market while creating valuable opportunities for students and industry partners.
This recognition reflects the important role Research & Innovation continues to play in strengthening Niagara's innovation ecosystem and supporting long-term economic growth.
Planning for the future of your business starts with the right succession strategy. BDC's latest resource explores why choosing a successor should be based on what's best for the long-term success of your business, rather than fairness alone.
Whether you're preparing for retirement or planning ahead, this practical guide offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions and build a successful transition.
BDC has introduced a new Forestry Support Program to help eligible Canadian forestry businesses navigate market uncertainty, strengthen operations, and invest in future growth.
The program offers flexible financing and advisory support through three streams: Liquidity Support, Transformation Support, and the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program. Together, these solutions are designed to help businesses maintain operations, improve competitiveness, and adapt to changing market conditions.
Eligible businesses may access financing of up to $25 million through select program streams.
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