Kingston ranks as a top-10 startup ecosystem in Canada.
Startup Blink, the world’s most comprehensive startup ecosystem map and research center, ranks Kingston as a top-10 startup ecosystem in Canada, while improving its global ranking moving up six spots to make Kingston a Top 150 Startup Ecosystem in the world.
Kington moves up six spots globally to the 144th-ranked startup ecosystem in the world, and moves up one spot nationally to ninth in Canada, surpassing Victoria, BC.
Collaborations and partnerships are variables that have led to Kingston’s improved ranking. Queen’s University, together with Launch Lab and St. Lawrence College, are regional partners to Invest Ottawa in the delivery of the Scale-Up Platform in Eastern Ontario, which provides access to programs, services, and resources to entrepreneurs and companies that are advancing science-based, technology-based and/or software-based solutions.
Queen’s has recently launched the WE-CAN Project to strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs in Kingston and region. Queen’s is collaborating with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, the City of Kingston, St. Lawrence College, KEYS Job Centre, and L-SPARK to develop and deliver three distinct programming streams that provide eligible women entrepreneurs with additional training and support services focusing on issues that create barriers to successful business creation and growth.
The Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation team launched a new incubator called the Queen’s Startup Runway, which is located at the new Seaway Coworking facility and includes co-location with the Queen’s team, Launch Lab, St. Lawrence College, and the Southeastern Ontario Angel Network – recently ranked as the #1 new angel network in Canada.
“There are very few cities of Kingston’s smaller population that can make it in the Top 150 global ranking. Many of the top ecosystems are from gigantic populous cities with million-plus inhabitants. An increase of even a single spot in the ranking is a result of tremendous efforts, as Kingston is a much smaller city,” says Andrew Bacchus, Business Development Officer, Kingston Economic Development.
Kingston Economic Development will leverage the Startup Blink ranking to invest in its startup business community. For example, staff at Kingston Economic Development launched new programming with Smith School of Business at Queen’s to help startups and businesses navigate the new challenges with the Kingston Region Business Support Network.
“Queen’s is delighted to accelerate the growth of startups in Kingston by creating and delivering unique programs and services that provide founders with in-depth mentorship and access to numerous resources. We are grateful for federal investments that have allowed us to provide this leadership,” says Kim Woodhouse, Vice-Principal Research.
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