RIC Centre Announces E2E COVID-19 Survival Toolkit – A Free Online Speaker Series

Enlightening Tips and Insights from Tech Experts Directly to Entrepreneurs (E2E)

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 16, 2020 /CNW/ – Today, RIC Centre, an innovation hub that supports tech entrepreneurs getting to market faster, announced a new program.  “COVID-19’s impact on the tech innovation ecosystem is unprecedented.” said Pam Banks, Executive Director of RIC Centre.  “In response, we have designed a free and open-to-all bi-weekly speaker series featuring practical insights from selected experts that deliver positive tips to help innovators manage their business through turbulent times.”

Tech entrepreneurs including software, hardware, advanced manufacturing and cleantech are welcome to register for this free 1 hr E2E online speaker series.

This RIC Centre COVID Survival Toolkit Speaker Series is intended to share targeted tips from tech experts with practical insights and stories from the front lines.  Tech entrepreneurs are, by nature, problem solvers and we will share things you can do today to benefit your business now and later.

The speakers are select domain experts, successful entrepreneurs and innovation enthusiasts with impressive track records.  They are committed to helping our tech innovation ecosystem remain strong and grow from this tumultuous phase.

Speaker Dates & Featured Topics:

RIC Centre hopes entrepreneurs take this opportunity with unprecedented free online access to experts focused on tech start-ups.  Experts will share frameworks and techniques while the entrepreneurs will share steps to success with a focus on adaptations with practical and achievable measures that are easy to implement right away.

Register HERE for E2E COVID-10 Speaker Series – April 21, 2020 3-4pm EST

Register HERE for the ENTIRE E2E COVID-10 Speaker Series

RIC Centre is a not-for-profit innovation hub and business incubator for Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and other communities in Southern Ontario. RIC Centre’s focus is to be a dynamic catalyst for tech companies.

RIC Centre is part of the innovation network created to support tech entrepreneurs to start, grow and succeed.  The network has centres across the province including Innovation Factory, Innovation Guelph, Innovate Niagara, Haltech and WeTech, and is supported in part by the government of Ontario.

More information www.riccentre.ca

SOURCE Research, Innovation and Commercialization Centre (RIC Centre)

OTTAWA, April 16, 2020 /CNW/ – Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and are vital for our families and communities across the country. They are facing economic hardship and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why the Government of Canada is working around the clock to give these businesses the support they need so they can continue to make our country strong at this critical time.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced new measures to support Canadian businesses so they can keep their doors open and their employees on the job.

The Government of Canada is:

• Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new range will replace the previous one of between $50,000 and $1 million, and will help address the challenges faced by small businesses to cover non-deferrable operating costs. Since the launch of the CEBA on April 9, 2020, more than 195,000 loans have been approved by financial institutions, extending more than $7.5 billion in credit to small businesses.
• Announcing its intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June. Implementation of the program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. We are working with the provinces and territories to increase rent support for businesses that are most impacted by the pandemic and we will have more details to share soon.

These measures are part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which has committed more than $107 billion in support to Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the pandemic. The government will continue to monitor and respond to the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19, and take additional actions as needed to protect the health and safety of Canadians and stabilize the economy.

Quotes
“We will always be there to support our Canadian businesses. That is why we are working closely with the business community to make sure that our emergency measures are as effective and inclusive as possible. Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account and making sure businesses can afford their rent is the smart thing to do. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and will keep our economy strong in this uncertain time.” 
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“We are committed to helping Canadians through this difficult period. By making the Canada Emergency Business Account more accessible and introducing new measures to support businesses, we are positioning them to be ready for the recovery that will come. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that Canadians are supported through the outbreak and that our economy remains resilient during these challenging times.”
—The Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

Associated Links

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Prime Minister announces expanded access to Canada Emergency Response Benefit and support for essential workers

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca/

SOURCE Prime Minister’s Office