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Following the success of the first three 1855 MASTERCLASS events, Durham Region Economic Development (Invest Durham) highlights the role the broader community plays in supporting the evolution of the local business ecosystem.
Whitby, Ontario – At 1855, it’s all about achieving sustainable growth. The accelerator’s mandate is helping established, high-potential tech and innovation companies accelerate growth towards the global stage. Founded by the Town of Whitby and the Chief Executive Officer of 360insights, Jason Atkins, the strategy of the organization is to grow the technology sector in Durham Region. Part of this vision is delivering the best in thought leadership, hands-on expertise, and mentorship to companies looking to scale.
Providing access to some of the most visionary and disruptive leaders in technology led to the launch of the 1855 MASTERCLASS series, with the first three editions held in 2019. Featuring globally recognized musicians from Arcade Fire; a Silicon Valley consultant who defined a game-changing discipline known as Category Design; and an IBM executive speaking about artificial intelligence—the series has highlighted innovative thinking and attracted start-ups, business owners, students, and business leaders from across the province. The series enhanced local partnerships and featured high-calibre content from Durham College, Ontario Tech University and Invest Durham.
While mentorship is fundamental to the growth journey for any company in the trenches of acceleration, the approach of bringing together established businesses, post-secondary leaders, and government supports rounds out the community approach, ensuring a full complement of support for innovative businesses.
“At Invest Durham we support investors and businesses by working alongside partners to create an innovative community,” says Simon Gill, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Durham Region. “Collaboration is the key to how we will continue to build this sector so that Durham Region can become home to more innovative businesses and create the jobs of the future. We’re full of optimism about the growth of this sector.”
1855 has big plans for 2020 and have recently announced some of the upcoming speakers in the MASTERCLASS series, starting with Dan Martell on February 25. Martell is a coach to high-performing tech founders and has been named Canada’s top angel investor. He also hosts the most popular YouTube channel for software as a service (SaaS) entrepreneurs globally and has partnered with more than 65 elite software founders to raise capital, scale, or exit their companies in the past year.
“Finding someone who has achieved what you’re setting out to accomplish will compress decades into years,” says Martell.
John Warrilow, creator and founder of the Value Builder System will be speaking at the event on April 28. Warrilow is an expert in creating and communicating the value of a business and is host of Built to Sell Radio, ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s 10 best podcasts for business owners.
“When you start a business, you’re on your own. Without a boss to lean on for advice, it’s smart to surround yourself with other founders who have already navigated some of the challenges you’re facing,” says Warrilow.
For full details and to purchase tickets for upcoming 1855 MASTERCLASS events, please visit masterclass.1855whitby.com.
For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.
