Square’s Post

🇨🇦 A new study from Square reveals how entrepreneurship shapes a newcomer’s experience in Canada. Owning a business not only empowers newcomers to unlock financial security and create impactful careers, it also fosters a deep sense of belonging in their communities across the country. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/ebMPJGqS

The Countries and Cities With the Highest Proportion of Business Founders 👉🏾Estonia counts 218.6 business founders per 10,000 workers — more than any other country. 👉🏾In the U.S., New York boasts 160.6 business founders per 10,000 workers — more than any other state. 👉🏾Eight of the top 20 most entrepreneurial cities in the world are in the United States, with San Francisco leading overall (353.7 business founders per 10k workers). 👉🏾After London, Brighton tops our ranking of the most entrepreneurial U.K. cities, counting 173.6 business founders per 10k employees. Source: https://lnkd.in/daiSdE4c

I'm always told to take time and self-reflect. I'm the type to set goals, achieve them, and set another one, always on the go. I'm slowly realizing that life is about celebrating the wins. Here are some thoughts on how I have made it to 6 years with Colum Consultants. Moving to Atlantic Canada in 2018 was a game-changer for me. Since then, I’ve convinced family from across Canada to join me here, started a family of my own, and grown a business to highlight the innovative and impactful work taking place in our region. When I meet emerging entrepreneurs, I can’t help but share some of the most compelling reasons to start a business in Atlantic Canada: First off, the warmth of the people here struck me right away. Atlantic Canada embraces you like family from day one. The entrepreneurial ecosystem here is unparalleled, with organizations like Planet Hatch, ConnexionWorks, NBCC's Oasis program, and the Wallace McCain Institute offering invaluable resources, mentorship, and a network that feels more like a supportive family than just business connections. The talent pool here is top-notch, thanks to the fantastic universities and colleges. It's a goldmine for businesses seeking skilled and educated folks in various fields. Living costs are more reasonable compared to big cities like Toronto or Vancouver, lifting the financial weight off entrepreneurs and their teams. Plus, being so close to the U.S. and sitting on the Atlantic coast opens doors for international trade, a real bonus for businesses eyeing global markets. There's a little bit of everything here—agriculture, tech, tourism—the diversity in industries opens doors for businesses in multiple sectors. The cherry on top? Government support. Incentives, grants, and investments from both provincial and federal authorities truly bolster the business landscape here. And let's not forget the balance. Life here isn't just about work; it's about savoring the slower pace, the beauty of the beaches, and the tranquility of the parks. It's that perfect blend that helps us all find our equilibrium. Lastly, innovation thrives here. Research institutions and innovation hubs create fertile ground for businesses to flourish. That's why Atlantic Canada isn't just a place to start a business; it's a place to build a life—a fulfilling, supported, and vibrant life.

I used the "Query Past Meetings" feature in my Soar.com AI notetaker and had it generate a LinkedIn Post. I performed ZERO refinement or editing. Part of a broader experiment I'm performing to make the most out of the meetings I have. Tell me what you think in the comments! 🌴 Thinking of Moving to Puerto Rico? Here Are 5 Overlooked Aspects You Should Consider! 🌴 As someone deeply involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Puerto Rico, I've had countless conversations with businesses and individuals looking to make the move. While the allure of tax incentives and a tropical paradise is undeniable, there are several critical factors that often get overlooked. Here are the top 5: 1. Understanding the Ecosystem: Puerto Rico is not just a beautiful island; it's a burgeoning hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. With over 80 universities and a growing number of accelerators and incubators, the local talent pool is rich. However, many newcomers underestimate the importance of engaging with the local entrepreneurial community to tap into this resource. 2. Navigating Bureaucratic Processes: The process of setting up a business can be daunting. Many individuals are surprised by the bureaucratic inefficiencies that can slow down their plans. It's crucial to have a clear understanding of the necessary permits, licenses, and regulations to avoid unnecessary delays. 3. Cultural Adaptation: While Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, the culture is distinct. Understanding local customs and business practices can significantly impact your success. Building relationships and trust within the community is essential, and this often requires time and effort. 4. Access to Talent: There is a perception that the best talent leaves for the mainland U.S. While it's true that many skilled professionals have relocated, there is still a wealth of talent on the island. However, companies must be proactive in their recruitment strategies and be prepared to offer competitive compensation to attract and retain top talent. 5. Leveraging Incentives Effectively: Many newcomers are unaware of the full range of incentives available, particularly those related to R&D and job creation. Understanding how to navigate these incentives can lead to significant cost savings and funding opportunities. Engaging with local experts can help maximize these benefits. Moving to Puerto Rico can be a transformative decision for both individuals and businesses, but it's essential to approach it with a comprehensive understanding of the local landscape. Let's continue to build a thriving ecosystem together! 🌟 #PuertoRico #Entrepreneurship #BusinessDevelopment #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment

Venture for Canada, a proud partner of Wavemakers and a fellow partner and leader in the I-WIL ecosystem, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Their commitment to collaboration and partnership has significantly contributed to creating a supportive WIL ecosystem that we are incredibly grateful to be a part of together. Venture for Canada shares in its 10 Years of Impact Report that "the shift toward virtual learning platforms is transforming work-integrated learning, broadening access, and ensuring that students across all backgrounds can participate fully. Accessible work-integrated learning (WIL) programs enrich Canada's entrepreneurial landscape, creating space for all students to participate in meaningful, innovative, and inclusive learning experiences that will prepare them for the future of work. Krista Pawley, Wavemakers Co-Founder, recently highlighted in the State of WIL section of the report that the impact of these programs is the significant enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds in I-WIL initiatives. Wavemakers saw nearly 90% of participants identifying with one or more diverse attributes. This statistic signifies progress towards more inclusive learning experiences and the potential for these experiences to enrich Canada's entrepreneurial landscape. You can check out Venture for Canada's 10 Years of Impact Report to learn more about their decade of achievements and future plans for the state of the WIL ecosystem. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eVqdT6F4.

The UK's economy grew by 0.6% between April and June, signalling a positive outlook for the design and innovation industry. Economic growth means more businesses are hopefully investing in branding, product development, and innovation—areas where design plays a crucial role. At Morrama | Certified B Corp, we're excited to see this momentum, especially as summer months are historically slower for us. It's great to see as it opens up new opportunities to create impactful designs that help businesses thrive in a competitive market. For this to continue we need to see an increase in consumer confidence, business investment, government projects, nurturing of startups and international competitiveness. The signals are there, let's see the demand. What does this mean for you? I'm asking my UK startup Gurus Asad Hamir, Barty Walsh, Lauren Bell, Freddy Ward, Anna Samuels, Julien Vaissieres, Giorgia Granata, Lorenzo Spreafico, Eliza Flanagan,Jo Barnard #branding #productdevelopment #innovation #growth

Miami's economy is as diverse as its population, offering a wide range of opportunities for investors. Here’s how this diversity truly shapes investment strategies: ⠀ 1️⃣ Sector Variety - Miami's economy spans various sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, tourism, and real estate. This variety reduces risk and allows investors to diversify their portfolios across multiple industries, increasing stability and potential returns. ⠀ 2️⃣ Resilience - a diversified economy is more resilient to economic downturns, ensuring that the overall market remains strong and attractive to investors. ⠀ 3️⃣ Location - due to it's close location to the Latin American border, many companies are moving to Miami to take advantage of nearshoring. This has led to infrastructural improvements and a focus on technologies to increase efficiency and streamline cross-border trade. ⠀ As Miami continues to grow and evolve, its blend of favorable policies, talent, and strategic advantages will keep it at the forefront of venture capital investment. ⠀ What's your take on Miami as an investment hub? 👇🏼 ⠀ #Miami #InvestmentStrategies #EconomicDiversity #VentureCapital #CrossBorderInvestments #Nearshoring

I was excited to speak at the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s event, "Race for Space: Navigating Toronto's Employment Lands Crisis," today. This important event explored how Toronto can balance the demand for housing with the need to preserve employment lands, which support over 1.5 million jobs in the region, including 88 percent of high-paying manufacturing roles. As these lands face increasing pressure, we must work together to develop strategies that secure our region’s economic future.

🌟 Driving International Success with Breakthrough Victoria 🌍 Merton Lawyers was proud to present alongside Global Victoria at Breakthrough Victoria's Founders Day, engaging with their exceptional portfolio companies on building a winning Go-To-Market Strategy for international expansion, with a focus on the US. Our session covered key insights and challenges for founders, including: 📄 Flip Ups – Structuring your business for US market entry. 📈 US Market Update – Trends and opportunities shaping the US business landscape. 💡 Cooley US Financing Summary – Key takeaways on US financing rounds. 💰 US Investors – What they want to see from Aussie startups ready to scale. This presentation formed part of our Project Frontier, an initiative designed to help Australian startups conquer global markets through expert legal and commercial strategies. The Breakthrough Victoria Fund is an extraordinary opportunity to supercharge the commercialisation of world-leading research and position Victoria's innovative mindset at the forefront of the economy. Over the next 15 years, this estimated $2 billion government fund will be invested in eligible Victorian businesses to drive transformative growth. A heartfelt thank you to the Breakthrough Victoria team, including: Hon John Brumby, Laura Morrey, Monique Conheady, Olga Hogan, Brett Mitsch, Rosemary Peavey, Prue Lester, Aden Capaul, and Andrew Wilkie. We’d also like to recognise the incredible presenters who shared their expertise: Emma Jenkin from Kilara Capital, Gabrielle Munzer from Main Sequence, Dominic Pym from Euphemia, Andrew Nash, Paul Mitchinson from Think & Grow, Adrian Persi, and George Di Scala from Global Victoria. A special thank you to Alexander Newton from Navi Medical Technologies for capturing the moments with amazing photos. Together, we’re shaping the future of Australian innovation on a global scale. 🚀 #ProjectFrontier #BreakthroughVictoria #GlobalExpansion #USMarket #InnovationEconomy #VictorianLeadership