A Canadian division of Endeavor, an organization that describes itself as the “world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs,” has been created with the head office to be located in Calgary.
“For more than 20 years, (we) have provided entrepreneurs with a community and platform to dream big, scale up, and pay it forward,” said co-founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg.
“With access to Endeavor’s global network, the Endeavor Catalyst co-investment fund, and support from a strong founding board, we’re confident Endeavor Canada will have a meaningful impact on Canada’s most innovative entrepreneurs and the country at large.”
Founded in 1997, Endeavor’s network, according to a release, “now spans nearly 40 countries and supports more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, whose companies generate combined revenues of over US$26 billion, have created more than four million jobs, and, in 2019, raised over US$3.6 billion in capital.
Endeavor Canada said it plans to “identify founders with the greatest potential to participate in the organization’s international selection process. Once selected, Endeavor Entrepreneurs benefit from a global network, peer-to-peer community, and open-door access to talent, markets, and capital.”
Its mission, said founding board member Paul Desmarais III and chairman and CEO of Sagard Holdings, is to “connect opportunities with talent, capital, and networks in order to build market defining companies.”
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) and Western Economic Diversification Canada have pledged to provide up to $1 million to support Endeavor’s launch and operations in Calgary.
Mark Blackwell, chair of the OCIF, said the fact Calgary was selected as Endeavor Canada’s head office “speaks to the opportunities on the horizon here. We expect a high degree of indirect economic impact from Endeavor’s presence due to the potential to scale businesses and its track record of working with local companies to accelerate entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities like Miami, Detroit and Atlanta.”
Meanwhile, Susan Anderson, CEO of Cannonball Capital, Inc. and board chair of Endeavor Canada said this country “does not have a startup problem but rather a global scale up challenge. Endeavor has an amazing network and track record of helping high-impact entrepreneurs scale their enterprises which in turn will benefit the Canadian tech ecosystem and contribute to our long-term economic growth.”
Plans call for Endeavor’s local offices to “identify founders with the potential to participate in the organization’s International Selection Panels.
The program is open to entrepreneurs across Canada and the selection process is expected to begin next month.
