WEOC Café: On Tour with Startup Canada
On April 10, 2025, WEOC hosted Isabel Nolan, Director of Programs at Startup Canada to talk about the Startup Canada Tour. With their next stop in Calgary on April 29, Isabel discussed everything from idea to implementation, and the lessons learned along the way.
Highlights
- Events blend local and national partnerships, hands-on mentorship, and pitch competitions.
- Intentional networking and peer-to-peer mentorship are central to the event’s success.
- Women entrepreneur breakfasts at each stop, in partnership with WEOC
- The tour has reached 9 cities, 3,000+ in-person and 6,500+ virtual attendees so far.
- A new Startup Canada Equal Slice Program, in partnership with Pizza Hut, will support equity-deserving entrepreneurs.
- 2025 Tour Dates: Calgary (April 29) and Mississauga (October 21).
Tour By the Numbers (So Far)
- 9 Cities visited
- 3,089 In person attendees
- 6,539 Virtual Attendees
- 8.6/10 Net promoter score
- 259 Partners
- 205 Exhibitors
- 209 Speakers
- 177 Mentors (66% women)
A Movement Fueled by Community
The Startup Canada Tour isn’t just an event—it’s a grassroots movement helping early-stage entrepreneurs across Canada build businesses with support, mentorship, and connection. Born in 2023, the tour emerged at a critical moment—just as communities were eager (yet cautious) to return to in-person events post-pandemic.
“We wanted to reignite the community and go back to our Startup Canada roots,” said Isabel Nolan, Director of Programs at Startup Canada. And they did. With five initial stops across the country, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Who It’s For
The tour mainly targets entrepreneurs in the early stages—those running side hustles, sole proprietors, or small businesses with under $1M in revenue. But it’s also a welcoming space for entrepreneurs at any level, offering workshops, panels, pitch competitions, and local ecosystem connections.
What’s Included
Each tour stop features:
- Main stage events with founders like SmartSweets’ Tara Bosch.
- An Ask the Expert lounge with hands-on advice in fundraising, marketing, and more.
- The Entrepreneur Support Zone, with up to 35 booths from accelerators, universities, and ecosystem players.
- The Startup Global Pitch Competition, where entrepreneurs can win from a $70,000 prize pool.
- Women Entrepreneur Breakfasts – In partnership with WEOC
What They’ve Learned
One key takeaway? Entrepreneurs are craving meaningful networking. “We realized people don’t just want to network—they want to intentionally connect,” Isabel shared. That insight led to reducing stage content and increasing time for people to meet, share, and grow together.
The Ask the Expert lounge and informal peer-to-peer mentoring have become event highlights—especially for women entrepreneurs seeking connection, confidence, and community.
Changing the Game with Local Partners
Each city on the tour has a unique entrepreneurial flavour—from tech startups in Vancouver to food-based makers in Whitehorse. To meet those needs, Startup Canada works closely with local organizations, building trust and learning what each region’s founders really want.
“It’s a lot of relationship-building,” Isabel noted. “But these local organizations make it all possible.”
Support for Women Entrepreneurs
In partnership with WEOC, Startup Canada hosts women entrepreneur breakfasts at each tour stop. These early-morning sessions provide a warm, supportive space to connect, learn about funding opportunities, and kick off the day inspired.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Tour?
With 259 partners, 209 speakers, and 177 mentors involved so far, the momentum is only building. New initiatives like the Equal Slice Program (in partnership with Pizza Hut) aim to uplift equity-deserving entrepreneurs even further.
How to Get Involved
If you’re an entrepreneur, mentor, or ecosystem supporter, the tour is a fantastic opportunity to connect. The next stops are:
- Calgary – April 29, 2025
- Mississauga – October 21, 2025 (virtual attendance available)
Thinking of attending? Use the code ISABEL50 for 50% General Admission and Startup Passes
To view the original webinar, click here.