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Volta announces nominees for the 5th Ecosystem Impact Awards, celebrating trailblazers in Atlantic Canada's tech and innovation landscape. Partnering with RBC and Emera ideaHUB, the event on September 20 will honor standout organizations, startups, and individuals across five distinct categories, spotlighting their contributions to regional growth and impact.
Volta welcomes Profitual to its Power Crew, offering specialized financial intelligence to startups in Atlantic Canada. Profitual's platform enhances Volta's robust support system, bringing tailored budgeting, forecasting, and benchmarking services to early-stage ventures. This alliance fortifies our commitment to nurturing startups with optimal financial management solutions.
Volta's Ecosystem Impact Awards, in partnership with RBC and Emera ideaHUB, celebrate key contributors in Atlantic Canada's tech ecosystem. Scheduled for September 20, 2023, the awards spotlight changemakers, boost the entrepreneurial community, and champion diversity. Nominate by August 9 to recognize exceptional innovation and drive positive change.
The SR&ED tax credit is a cornerstone of Canadian innovation, offering both refundable and non-refundable credits to support R&D activities across sectors. To qualify, projects must demonstrate technological advancement, address uncertainties, and follow systematic investigation. Despite its benefits, the application process can be complex. Volta and Power Crew partner Boast AI simplify this by automating data synchronization and documentation, helping startups navigate SR&ED criteria and secure non-dilutive capital for growth.
Volta is excited to welcome Cowan, a leader in insurance and risk management, to our Power Crew. This collaboration allows startups in our network to access Cowan's specialized TechLife benefits and commercial insurance solutions. With Cowan's expertise, startups can better protect their assets and IP, mitigating risks while they focus on innovation and scaling. For more details on how this partnership benefits your startup
CFOs are invaluable in tech fundraising, offering financial acumen that complements a founder's vision. They guide valuation, ensure compliance with investor expectations, and navigate the complexities of term sheets and due diligence. Their presence boosts investor confidence, smoothing the path from pitch to deal completion. Trust BDO’s CFO Services team to bolster your financial strategy.
Amidst the pandemic, Volta pivoted to offer a Virtual Residency program and more tailored 1:1 support, reflecting the needs of our community for flexibility and hands-on guidance. Our move to the Armoyan Center embodies this commitment, providing a blend of dedicated office and community spaces to empower Atlantic Canada's tech founders.
Boast, a fintech expert in automating SR&ED and R&D tax credit claims, has joined Volta's Power Crew. This collaboration means our founders can now focus more on scaling and less on manual financial tasks. Boast's inclusion further enriches our community, offering specialized financial guidance to accelerate startup growth in Canada's tech ecosystem.
Volta and the Black Business Initiative spotlight the rise of Black entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada for African Heritage Month. The surge in Black-owned businesses is attributed to increased educational attainment and community-focused initiatives. Entrepreneurs like Fidel Franco and Nevell Provo are leveraging tech and social impact to uplift communities. These stories exemplify the broader role of Black entrepreneurship in shaping a resilient and diverse local economy.
Women's Entrepreneurship Day is celebrated annually on November 19 in 144 countries to empower women and inspire girls living in poverty. Research shows that women-owned businesses have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with diverse women entrepreneurs being the hardest hit. However, there is hope as the number of women entrepreneurs in high-growth startups has nearly doubled since 2019. Female-identifying entrepreneurs in the tech industry are working hard to be role models for inclusivity and diversity. Despite the challenges, women bring positive qualities to the table and studies have shown that women in business are more profitable and effective. The path to tech entrepreneurship may not be easy, but there are resources available to support women on their journey.
Volta and the Black Business Initiative (BBI) have concluded their series celebrating African Heritage Month in 2023 by sharing resources and advice for Black entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. They highlight organizations such as BBI, Tribe Network, BKR Capital, BDC, Futurpreneur, RBC, FACE, and the Black Opportunity Fund that offer mentorship, funding, and support to help Black entrepreneurs overcome challenges and achieve success in the business world.
Black entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada is a growing sector with opportunities for advancement and success. Black-owned businesses are creating job opportunities and contributing to the local economy. Despite challenges such as access to capital and lack of visibility, supporting Black entrepreneurs through resources and support can help them overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. With increasing recognition and support, the future of Black entrepreneurship in the Atlantic provinces looks promising and has the potential to shape the region's economic future.
Navigating the challenge of startup fundraising, this post outlines alternatives to venture capital, emphasizing non-dilutive options like bootstrapping, friends and family investments, small business loans, pitch competitions, and grants. These routes can provide essential funding while preserving equity and are particularly valuable when VC backing is either unattainable or undesirable.
A list of programs, events, and resources in Nova Scotia for female-identifying individuals includes tech events, digital skills programs, mentorship opportunities, political involvement, education options, coding resources, public speaking practice, sales training, business resources, venture funds, and banking solutions.
Volta and the Black Business Initiative (BBI) are partnering to celebrate African Heritage Month with a series of articles honoring the contributions of Black entrepreneurs. The series will highlight the history of Black entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada, showcasing inspiring stories of determination and resilience. Despite facing discrimination and limited resources, Black entrepreneurs have made significant contributions to the region's economy. The series aims to inspire the next generation of Black entrepreneurs and promote support for Black-owned businesses.
Two Volta companies, Easy Platter and Side Door, have successfully pitched on CBC's DRAGONS' DEN. Easy Platter, a web-based platform connecting customers with personal chefs, secured an investment of $150,000 for 20% of the company. Side Door, an online platform matching artists with spaces for concerts, received a $500,000 convertible note deal. Both startups benefited from the exposure and validation provided by the show.
Five supply chain-focused AI startups from Atlantic Canada have been accepted into the second cohort of the Volta AI program. Acuicy, Agyle Intelligence, KorrAI, Picketa Systems, and Scient Analytics will receive funding and resources to scale their businesses. The startups will also have access to Volta's co-working space and network of experts and investors in the AI space. The Volta AI program is supported by Scale AI, Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster.