Celebrating Small Business Week in Atlantic Canada
From the Springboard Content Lab
October 19–25 marks Small Business Week in Canada. This is a national celebration of the entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners who power our economy and enrich our communities.
In Atlantic Canada, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of regional prosperity, representing over 97% of all businesses and employing more than two-thirds of the private-sector workforce.
Source: ISED
From technology startups and clean energy ventures to creative industries and advanced manufacturing, Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs are creating new opportunities, solving local challenges, and competing globally.
Their success is rooted in innovation. This is where the Springboard Network of post-secondary institutions plays a role.
Supporting innovation through research and collaboration
The Springboard Atlantic Network connects the region’s 19 colleges and universities to industry, helping businesses access research expertise, facilities, and intellectual property that accelerate innovation. This collaborative model enables researcher-entrepreneurs to turn ideas into market-ready products and solutions faster and more efficiently.
Through Springboard’s network, small business owners can work directly with researchers to test new materials, validate technologies, or prototype products. These collaborations often open doors to funding opportunities, government programs, and technical expertise that would otherwise be out of reach for many SMEs.
“Small businesses are key drivers of innovation and economic growth in Atlantic Canada. By connecting entrepreneurs with researchers and supporting the development of new intellectual property, we help them compete in global markets while building stronger communities here at home.”
Daryl Genge, President and CEO of Springboard Atlantic
Empowering entrepreneurs through Atlantic IP Advantage
One of Springboard’s signature initiatives, Atlantic IP Advantage, is designed to help Atlantic Canadian innovators protect and leverage their intellectual property (IP). Supported through the federal ElevateIP program, the initiative helps startups and SMEs understand IP strategy, secure patents and trademarks, and use their IP to attract investment or partnerships.
Since its launch, Atlantic IP Advantage has provided hundreds of businesses with access to IP education, funding support, and expert guidance, empowering them to grow and retain ownership of their innovations.
Building future entrepreneurs through collaboration
Springboard Atlantic also collaborates with programs that foster the next generation of innovators, including Lab2Market and the Ocean Startup Project. Through Lab2Market, early-career researchers across Atlantic Canada gain the tools and mentorship to explore the commercial potential of their research. The program equips participants with entrepreneurial skills, market validation experience, and access to investors and innovation networks — turning academic insights into business opportunities.
In the ocean economy — one of Atlantic Canada’s strongest sectors — Springboard works closely with the Ocean Startup Project to support early-stage ocean technology companies. By linking entrepreneurs with research expertise, facilities, and commercialization support, these collaborations help transform bold ideas into scalable ventures that contribute to sustainable growth in the blue economy.
Building a Stronger Future for Atlantic Canada
Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Atlantic Canada. Whether it’s a startup emerging from a university lab, a family-owned firm adopting new technologies, or a rural entrepreneur expanding through digital innovation, these businesses are shaping the future of our region.
Springboard Atlantic is proud to connect research and innovation to business success and ensure that Atlantic Canada continues to grow as a hub for world-class ideas, technologies, and talent.