C100 and RBC collaborate to inspire Canada's innovators coast to coast to coast
TORONTO, April 25, 2017 /CNW/ - It's said that Canadians don't like to brag but when your country has some of the best entrepreneurial talent in the world coupled with a robust technology ecosystem, it's OK to shout about it. C100 Association and RBC today announced a new collaboration aimed at promoting Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs at home and abroad. Together they will embark on a joint content strategy dedicated to giving a voice to the hundreds of diverse tech success stories, innovative ideas and ground-breaking advancements that help shape Canada's future. As part of the agreement, RBC has also signed on as C100's first Charter Sponsor.
"Scaling C100 through content is a top priority for us," says Laura Buhler Executive Director, C100. "Our Charter Members and the incredible founders and startups we support are experts in their fields and the wisdom they share at C100 events is influential and inspirational. I want to 'bottle' that wisdom to whatever extent possible to help amplify their voices and reach a far broader audience in Canada," adds Buhler. "This increased commitment from RBC will empower C100 to share and inspire Canadian entrepreneurs on a whole new level."
Starting this year, C100 and RBC will co-create compelling content aimed at entrepreneurs, tech mavens, startups and those interested in learning more about the Canadian technology ecosystem. Distributed via RBC and C100 social media channels, including a dedicated RBC Innovation hub, followers can expect engaging, multimedia content like video, podcasts, blogs, academic research and access to industry events. The content will feature innovators from across Canada, as well as profile the significant Canadian digi-diaspora made up of entrepreneurs and tech talent based in Silicon Valley, ensuring they are plugged into the centre of the digital economy.
"Supporting entrepreneurs and Canada's technology ecosystem both at home and abroad is an absolute priority for RBC," said John Stackhouse, senior vice president, office of the CEO at RBC. "C100 is the perfect partner to help us in that mission. We're excited that this investment will help advance home-grown startups and look forward to the opportunity to help tell Canada's innovation stories from around the globe."
This is the latest step in RBC and C100's growing partnership, which helps to support the Canadian technology community through knowledge-sharing events. The support of sponsors, like RBC, allows C100 to run programs throughout the year, designed to help entrepreneurs and innovators gain access to the Valley's extensive community of Canadians dedicated to helping Canadian startups succeed.
At the seed stage, C100 offers Valley 101: workshops to ask investors and successful founders for advice and feedback. For early-stage startups, there is 48Hrs in the Valley which offers a formal Charter Member mentorship program. This program focuses on building world-class companies, through hiring and maintaining talent, best practices for pitching, and advice for navigating the investor world. Finally, at the growth-stage, C100 hosts an annual event addressing challenges associated with scaling, like developing talent and interactions with other companies and industry leaders.
RBC also launched an Innovation Lab in San Francisco in June 2016, led by Lara Druyan, head of RBC's west coast lab to identify opportunities and work alongside the Silicon Valley startup community.
About C100 Association
C100 is non-profit, member-driven association of Canadian business leaders based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As successful entrepreneurs, investors, and senior corporate leaders we form a dynamic group of citizens dedicated to giving back to the Canadian innovation economy and fostering the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and innovative companies in Canada. We do so through programs, such as CEO Summit and 48Hrs in the Valley, and through consultation with corporate leaders and policy-makers to provide key insights so Canadians can build world class companies where we need them: in Canada. We bring "The Best of Silicon Valley to Accelerate Canada's Innovation Economy". For more information, please visit http://www.thec100.org/.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have over 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. For more information, please visit http://www.rbc.com/.
RBC helps communities prosper, supporting a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. For more information please see: http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/.
SOURCE RBC Royal Bank
For further information: Cheryl Brean, RBC, 416- 974-0263, [email protected]; C100, [email protected]
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