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Message 2024 Annual ReportTown of CobourgEconomic Development Department and Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre A Strategic and Directional Adjustment
Land Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
2. Entrepreneurship and Innovators - 1. Workforce - 3. Downtown - 4. Existing Businesses - 5. Investment Readiness - Workforce DevelopmentCobourg’s Workforce Development SymposiumGOAL:Introduction
Cobourg’s Workforce Development Symposium (Continued)Post-Secondary Spotlight
36 Attendees Skilled Trades Career DaySkilled Trades Bootcamp
30 Attendees Summer Jobs CelebrationYouth STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) CampsThe Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre expanded its STEM camp for youthaged 11-14 in 2024 for three weeks:March 11th – 15th (March Break) – 6 participantsJuly 15th -19th – 12 participantsAugust 19th – 23rd – 10 participantsThe five-day camp provided hands-on experience with engineering challenges, podcasting,money management and more. Page 07
Photos of Police Chief with winning group Pin-It Needle App (left). Joe Miller fromNventure with runner up Nicholas Samis (right) from Restorical whose idea was torestore a former private hospital site into a trades opportunity to gain job site workexperience. Nicholas was offered a free office at Venture13 to work from for 1-month tofurther develop the idea with Joe. Police Tech AcceleratorYouth Pitch CompetitionInnovation CommonsPart of the Venture13 mandate is to offer meeting and learning spaces in the lecture halland seminar rooms. This mandate is achieved through entrepreneurship and innovationprograms and local companies that use these space resources for their own knowledge-sharing and planning meetings. Over $13,000 in revenue earned.Over $19,000 of in-kind value of bookings created among the founding partners.258 total bookings, 138 bookings generated revenue.Pitch to the Chief™ - Youth Edition, hosted at Venture13 Innovation & EntrepreneurshipCentre provided an opportunity for student teams from Cobourg Collegiate Institute andSt. Mary Catholic Secondary School to showcase their community innovation solutionsto Chief Paul VandeGraaf and a distinguished panel of judges. Page 08
The Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre continued to host small businessand innovation sessions to advance enterprising entrepreneurs and innovation drivenbusiness owners. The sessions addressed topics such as:Business grant writingCybersecurityAI in the workplaceNew capital gains regulationsWebsite lead generation andChange management andSocial media content strategiesThere was also a three-part Protect Yourself series that addressed the topics of IntellectualProperty, legal practices for business partnerships and essential human resource policies.This series was led by Marisa Conlin, a lawyer with the Northumberland Community LegalCentre.Small Business Innovators and EntrepreneursSmall Business and Innovation ProgramsTo build the presence of Venture13 and tell the story as an integral part ofthe community will establish it as the centre for innovation.GOAL:This monthly newsletter provides a one-stop resource for all innovationand entrepreneurship programs delivered by the partner organizations,available government funding opportunities, new VentureZone membersand available spaces at V13. This newsletter is distributed electronicallyon the first Wednesday of each month. The View from Venture13 Newsletter280NewsletterAudiencePage 09113V13 innovation andentrepreneur programattendees throughout 2024
Social Media PresenceOver the past year, the Venture13 team has been active and building a following onFacebook, Instagram (@V13Cobourg) and LinkedIn. All programs delivered and communitybuilding experiences at Venture13 are posted on a regular basis.Nventure’s group of programsIn September, Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation rebrandedas “Nventure”. The “N” represents the rootedness in Northumberland and the “venture”better represents the business support programs and core funding from the FederalEconomic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Nventure’s mission is to:Advance economies through innovation and entrepreneurshipEnable success of businesses, industries and communities andProvide organizations with funding, financing and strategy services. Followers/Reach or Impressions*As of December 1, 2024Facebook - 644/Over 10,800 LinkedIn - 541/ Over 24,200Instagram - 273/Over 3,900Page 10
Nventure’s group of programs continued (Pictured here from left to right: ChiefPaul VandeGraaf, Cobourg Police Service;Wendy Curtis, Nventure CEO; MPP DavidPiccini; Lucas Cleveland, Mayor ofCobourg. Nventure delivers on this mission through the following programs.Thriveforward – Nventure did a second call for applications under this banner to focus on providingequity financing to early-stage venture-track technology start-ups in the Southern Ontario regionaleconomy. Applications remain open for a $50,000 Nventure convertible note by March 31, 2025.V13 Policetech Accelerator – In September, Nventure received $150,000 in funding throughOntario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) Program. This support will advance the accelerator’sefforts to support innovative solutions for local police services, fostering community safety in ruralOntario. Since its inception, the V13 Policetech Accelerator has partnered with over 20 start-ups andcollaborated with organizations such as Ontario Tech University and the Department of NationalDefense. The new funding will support initiatives like the Pitch to the Chief™ competition,technology enhancements, and broader business development activities.StrikeUp Digital Conference for Women Entrepreneurs – Each year, Nventure leads a one-daydigital conference for women entrepreneurs. This program provides Canada’s women entrepreneursan accessible and free program focused on growth, funding, digital adoption and globalopportunities. In addition, Cobourg’s women in business were given an opportunity to view thisdigital conference at the Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre on February 29, 2024. Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast – In late 2024, Nventure released Season 2 of this podcast. Itfeatures conversations with agri-food and agricultural biotech leaders in Canada on topics such asplant-derived nanostructures and weed-killing robots.DELIA Microloan – This program is a fintech-driven microloan platform that addresses the access tocapital gap for women-owned enterprises across Southern Ontario. DELIA is a revolving andevergreen microloan fund for all Canadian entrepreneurs for start-up, stabilitization, and expansion.Microloans are normally $15,000.Community Futures Program – Nventure provides alternative lending solutions (up to $250,000)for small and medium-sized entreprises located in Northumberland for business startup,stabilization and expansion.Page 11
There are 21 Members*, which include:Wittaya Aqua - Aquaculture Data and Software Specialists 1.Endring Group - Workplace Innovation Consultants 2.Piovan Group - Automation Systems for Food and Plastic Manufacturing 3.Insight Strategies - Corporate Communications Consultant 4.Bentley Staffing - Staffing Agency 5.Helping Hands - First Aid and Safety Training 6.Team Eagle Ltd. - Airfield safety equipment, devices and software 7.Alex Papanicolau Design Services - Prototyping, design, and custom manufacturing8.Compassionate Heart Home Care – Home healthcare services9.Walsh Financial Solutions - Financial advisory services 10.NXG Inc. - Social media & content creation platform 11.Lyon and Butler Insurance Brokers – Insurance specialist remote worker12.Integrity by McCarthy – Workplace and Sports Investigations13.Ebiquity – Advertising services14.Cheffer – Software development specialist15.ArcMedia – Film and media services16.Magenxx Science and Technology – Neuromechanical functional analysis platformspecialist17.CustomerTrust.io – Fullstack software engineering services18.Agency Analytics – Software engineering services19.Knak – Codeless campaign creation platform specialist20.Chariot Command – Agri-tech monitoring solutions specialist21.VentureZone MembersVenture13’s VentureZone is home to small business owners,entrepreneurs, innovators and remote workers. Membership offersflexible offices/desks that include fibre connection, secure 24/7access and immediate proximity to business support programming.Over $51, 000*As of December 31, 2024 in gross revenue sharewith NventureBraille Energy SystemsDonna Murphy Mortgages Bayer Pharmaceuticals Technitask Cence Power Vibrant Moon Quality & Compliance ConsultantsAlfresco Weddings and Events HearGuard Mobile Lyon and Butler Insurance Brokers Departing MembersPage 12
Grand Opening Celebrations in 2024Downtown DevelopmentGOAL:Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) EventsBlink Beauty Bar, Northern Vintage Vibez, Pink Lemon Decor, Rosarya Bakery Café, Rosie Young Design Studio, The Whispering Oak, and VdomaCultural and Heritage Programs
Cultural and Heritage ProgramsArt Gallery of Northumberland ExhibitionsExperience Cobourg: Downtown and Waterfront Events
Key Metrics: 141 250 9Film Industry SessionBeachwalk Flats173-185 Division Street & 9 Albert Street: Key Partners: Development Projects
Revenue Growth SeriesExisting Businesses GOAL:Economic Update and Succession Planning Cobourg Economic Development Update Newsletter675Newsletter Subscribersnine
235 Attendees Business Achievement AwardsSchmidt Law Legal Services – Business and Consumer ServicesmyFM 93.3 and Classic Rock 107.9 – Communications and TechnologyThe Ignite Company – Health, Wellness and BeautyPrep Food Company – Hospitality and TourismSONG: Sounds of the Next Generation – Not for ProfitEvermeadow Farm – Manufacturing and Agri-BusinessCirca 1818 – New Start UpQuinn's Blooms Florist & Flower Delivery – Retail TradeEC Builders – Skilled TradesSpoolon Manufacturing Limited – James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award Solvest Inc. – Mayor’s Award for innovative business excellence Liam Cragg – Chamber Chair Award for exceptional volunteer contributions 215 Attendees & 80 Industry Organizations PresentManufacturing Conference
Total Jobs:Total Businesses The highest number of jobs in Cobourg are in: The highest number of businesses are in: Cobourg Business Count Assessment ProjectBusinesses with 1-4 employees358Businesses with 5-19 employees301Businesses with 20-49 employees73Businesses with 50+ employees43Businesses that didn’t disclose 44
Business Sector (NAICS Code)Number ofJobs% of JobsNumber ofBusiness% ofBusinesses22 - Utilities23 - Construction31-33 - Manufacturing41 - Wholesale Trade44-45 - Retail Trade48-49 - Transportation & Warehousing51 - Information & Cultural Industries52 - Finance & Insurance53 - Real Estate & Rental & Leasing54 - Professional, Scientific & TechnicalServices56 - Admin. Support, Waste Mgmt. &Remediation Services61 - Educational Services62 - Health Care & Social Assistance71 - Arts, Entertainment & Recreation72 - Accommodation & Food Services81 - Other Services (exc. PublicAdministration)91 - Public AdministrationTotal:11,630100.0 %819100.0 %Employment & Business by Industry (NAICS Code):
New Marketing MaterialsCobourg’s Growth and Development Symposium Investment ReadinessGOAL:Advanced ManufacturingSmall Business Innovators
Lucas Point Industrial Park
Lucas Point Industrial ParkKey Metrics: 22.6 20.7
2025 Prioritiesworkforce developmentsmall business owners, entrepreneurs and telecommuters. downtownCobourg’s business successes investment readiness
Ontario PartnershipsPartner Portal WebsiteInvest OntarioOntario East Economic Development Commission Economic Developers Council of Ontario
Total Jobs:Total Businesses Population:Current Labour Force38, 600Belleville CMA68,000Peterborough CMAParticipation Rate: 50.1%Belleville CMA55.7 %Peterborough CMAUnemployment Rate: 1.8 %Belleville CMA4.3 %Peterborough CMAKey MetricsTown of CobourgLabour Force SizeNon - Residential Areas in CobourgIndustrial:Commercial:
Community Give BackAprilNovemberAugustPictured: DecemberPictured:
Daniel Van KampenMelissa GrahamMeet our TeamContact Information739 D’Arcy Street Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship CentreCobourg, Ontario | K9A 0H6
Welcoming Community,Thriving Town