Partnership to help “launch” local economy

Craig Desjardins, PELA CFDC executive director and Tony Harborow, board member, welcome Launch Labs CEO Michael Mann and members Ashleigh Smith, Andrew Barrett, Garrett Elliott and Vinay Singh to the Edward Building, downtown Picton.

New faces in downtown Picton’s Edward Building will “launch” into action to help County businesses grow companies and jobs.
The Launch Lab Regional Innovation Centre, of Kingston, has set up an office in the PELA CFDC (Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Community Futures Development Corporation) to offer training and education tools to help entrepreneurs develop innovative business models, build their collaborative networks, and grow their knowledge base.

The two organizations will also launch a series of business skills development workshops over the next six months focusing on marketing strategy, human resource management and business-to-business sales development. The sessions are in partnership with the MaRS Discovery District of Toronto.

“We are all well aware of the role and impact that technology is having in all aspects of our lives,” said Debra Marshall, PELA CFD board chair. “CPELA CFDC is pleased to be a catalyst that brings together organizations that provide the necessary skills to create new jobs. The Ontario Regional Innovation Centre Network and Launch Lab is an important new provincial partner that will further the creation of business success in our community. ”

The federally funded PELA CFDC, with the provincially funded Launch Lab Regional Innovation Centre brings together vast resources of both not-for-profit organizations to assist in the success of entrepreneurial businesses and to grow wealth generating employment in Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington counties”, said Michael Mann, Launch Lab CEO.

Launch Lab is a one-stop-shop for technology based start-ups and growing companies in the life science, healthcare, information technology, cleantech and advanced manufacturing sectors. Its team of entrepreneurs, investors, former-CEOs, and professional analysts assist companies to grow and bring innovative, technology-based products to the marketplace at no charge.

“Launch Lab provides valuable market intelligence, business plan development support and guidance for accessing available funding sources,” Mann said. “With a proven record of success, Launch Lab can help Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington county companies succeed in the global marketplace by turning innovation into profit.”

Coming training sessions include:
• October 3rd- Marketing Strategies
• October 24th- Human Resource Workshop
• November 15th & 16th – Marketing & Communication Toolkit
• December 5th & 6th – B2B Sales Process

For details,  email info@launchlab.ca or cd@pelacfdc.ca or telephone 613-533-3300 or 476-7901.