Good morning, Toronto startups and entrepreneurs! The pandemic continues to challenge our resolve, yet for some it’s been a boon. Normalcy has changed, spurring people to find ways to help us cope. For many, this is their first foray into entrepreneurship.
Take
the recent story of Toronto’s TraffikFlo. It’s a perfect example of a solution to a problem which didn’t exist pre-pandemic. Many shops have been forced to limit the number of in-store customers, and that’s led to some confusion. When you approach a storefront with no line-up, it’s often unclear whether it’s safe to go in.
Enter TraffikFlo, with a red-and-green traffic light remotely controlled by a mobile app to let people know when they can enter the store.
With holidays starting next week, this is our last issue until the new year. Thank you for subscribing — don’t forget to tell your coworkers and friends! Stay safe this season, do what you can to connect with others, and get outside every day for a change of scenery. See you in 2021, which I hope will be a kinder and gentler year, for all of us.
Community Opportunities
Here are some upcoming deadlines for applying to accelerators, grants and funding, or other competitions. Don’t miss out! If you know of others, please submit any application deadlines and I’ll post them if they’re relevant.
Trying to find your footing during these uncertain times? YEDI is here to help! The YEDI Incubator program presents an intensive 16-session program and guided process including lecture-based learning, seminar training, deliverable milestones, peer workshops and mentorship by subject matter experts. Offering a hybrid entrepreneurial environment comprising of innovators from a diversity of sectors. At the end of the term, entrepreneurs have the unique benefit of graduating with a formal Executive Education Centre at the Schulich School of Business certificate and pitch their ventures to investors at the YEDI Venture Fair.
Have a great holiday, and stay well!
