Studying entrepreneurial ecosystems

Dr. Blair Winsor of the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University (St. John's campus), left, chats with entrepreneur Ken Wheeler and Navigate Business Incubator manager Allison Rowe, about one of the ecosystem maps presented at the seminar.

A seminar held at Corner Brook Pulp & Paper Ltd. focused on the Corner Brook entrepreneurial ecosystem and how mature businesses can help those who are just starting out.

The seminar was hosted by Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre and attended by entrepreneurs and representatives of municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as non-governmental organizations.

Participants heard from Mr. Darren Pelley, General Manager, CBPPL; Dr. Blair Winsor of the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University (St. John’s campus), Dr. Ellen Farrell of St. Mary's University in Halifax and Mr. Ken Carter, Director of Research and Engagement at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, about the results of an ecosystem mapping project with valuable insights on the Corner Brook ecosystem as well as the broader picture from across Atlantic Canada.

"Interest in mapping and better understanding these ecosystems will be valuable for policy makers, industry associations, entrepreneurs, academics and other actors," said Ken Carter, director, Grenfell's Office of Engagement. "The research will have practical implications for how these ecosystems can be understood, strengths and weaknesses of connections and the need for practical interventions to strengthen interactions."

The discussion touched on sources of knowledge for entrepreneurs, challenges faced with respect to business/marketing and financial issues, as well as ideas for strengthening the local "ecosystem" by connecting larger and more mature stakeholders with new enterprises.

"There are businesses, large and small, who have significant experience to share with start-ups," said Mr. Carter. "There are many opportunities for these mature firms to forge concrete relationships with startups that support startup success and thereby strengthen economic development in our region."

Grenfell's Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre is working with key ecosystem partners, including Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, entrepreneurial groups such as the Humber Valley Entrepreneurs, and support organizations like Newfoundland and Labrador Organization Women Entrepreneurs, to build an entrepreneurial culture in the Corner Brook area. This includes initiatives such as start-up weekends, entrepreneurial workshops and networking sessions, regional development conferences, and career and entrepreneurial expos for students. This also involves close participation with the Business Program at Grenfell Campus. "An entrepreneurial ecosystem is a unique, complex environment that supports entrepreneurial activity" said Dr. Blair Winsor, from Memorial, St. John's Campus. "Interest in entrepreneurial ecosystems has intensified as successful regions have shown that high levels and intensity of support to entrepreneurs can be an effective regional economic development strategy." The project is a good example of cooperation between researchers and institutions in Atlantic Canadian. The group is also looking at other collective teaching and research opportunities.

"We need collaboration to make things happen beyond those that we are able to do on our own," said Dr. Ellen Farrell from St. Mary's University. "We need to move forward in this world as a region; we have great universities, researchers and collaboration. Rather than competing, we need to work together to be the best in the world at what we do."

A similar presentation was hosted by the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship on St. John’s Campus for entrepreneurs in that area.