Start-up lab
Services for startups & early-stage companies
Communitech's venture services group helps entrepreneurs in Waterloo Region and the surrounding area build and grow their high tech businesses. Our advisory team includes experienced executives-in-residence who have lived and breathed the start-up world, creating, managing, and funding high-tech companies and developing leading-edge products and technologies. There is no cost to access these services.
Mentoring
The diverse skill set of our team allows us to assist you with all issues facing a startup venture, including fundraising, sales, marketing, intellectual property management and product development.
Funding
Whether you're seeking angel investment, VC financing, or government funding, we can work with you to prepare your story and help you get the process rolling.
Connections
The venture services group will connect you into its broad network of resources for startup entrepreneurs. We'll link you to other entrepreneurs, university researchers, strategic partners, and experienced service providers. We also manage the ViaTech advisory network where you can get feedback from a panel of experienced business experts from a wide range of fields.
Resources
Communitech is the local agent for provincial Market Readiness Program, which provides free access to a market research team and a library of market research reports, along with funding for projects that will help bring your product to market.
Talent
We can help you find the talent you need through our workforce development programs, including waterlootechjobs.com, on-campus recruiting and tech career fairs.
Education
Communitech offers you opportunities to learn and build your network through a variety of programs including our Peer to Peer groups, Techworking breakfasts, and conferences.
Membership
Startup technology companies (five or fewer employees) can become members of the Communitech Network at no charge, giving you access to our Peer to Peer groups and discount rates at events throughout the year.
Confidentiality
Our assistance is provided in confidence. We respect and abide by the confidentiality expectations of our clients.
About Communitech
Communitech is the hub for the commercialization of innovative technologies in and around Waterloo Region, creating economic prosperity by removing barriers to the creation and growth of tech companies. As an industry-led partnership, our goal is to help create greater numbers of successful global businesses in Ontario and in Canada.
Communitech supports tech companies at all stages of their growth and development - from startups, to rapidly growing SMEs, to large global players. We also work strategically to overcome barriers to Waterloo Region becoming a world-leading tech cluster. Communitech focuses on building a highly networked technology community with a strong regional culture of technology and entrepreneurship.
Connecting with Communitech's venture services group
For more information or to engage the services of Communitech's venture services, please contact:
Karen Brown, Manager, Venture Services Group
karen.brown@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x43