March 30, 2020: Update – Kanata North Innovators and #SeriousTech Supporting our Community Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

KNBIABreaking News, KNBIA

Dear Kanata North Business Community,

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario have made a commitment to support our country’s researchers and innovators as they do critical work to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, and people around the world, during the outbreak. Our government leaders have also issued a call to arms for organizations to supply products and services in the following areas:

Ventilators, swabs, masks, eye protection, virtual mental health services for people who are vulnerable or living in remote communities, supply chain resiliency monitoring. Financial planning and advising for small businesses that can be delivered online at low-cost.

In addition, they are asking supply and innovation communities to submit ideas to help address the spread and impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our communities.

Ontario Together: help fight Coronavirus

We’re thrilled to see so many Kanata North companies stepping up to the plate to support COVID-19 efforts. We’ve rounded up a few of the most recent announcements from members of our Kanata North community offering critical resources during this challenging time:

L-SPARK’s portfolio companies have found their own unique ways to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Here are a few resources they’ve made available to the public:

Are you an innovator in Kanata North currently working on solutions to support the COVID-19 pandemic? Contact us! We want to share the news about the good work you are doing to support the community through this challenging time.

SaaS Showcase: Remote

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kanata North based Accelerator program, L-SPARK will be taking their event online and presenting the pitching startups in a new, virtual way.

SaaS Showcase is a celebration of startups, an opportunity to connect with members of the tech community, and an insider’s look into what their companies are building.

Cheer on the pitching startups as they share what they’ve been working tirelessly to scale. Once again, alongside L-SPARK graduates, they will be featuring startups from other organizations.

The event will launch on March 31st at 10:00 am sharp. Tune in to the event HERE at that time.

#SeriousTechWorksFromHome

As many of our large tech employers move to temporary remote work, our small business owners operating restaurant, retail, health and wellness businesses are facing unprecedented challenges.

Are you working remote and feeling a little less connected to our #SeriousTech community? This time of uncertainty can be isolating, even for the most seasoned of remote workers. We’re here to rally the troops around a common goal – to support local!

That’s why we’ve released a line of #CovidKindness t-shirts, with 100% of proceeds to be directed back into the community to support small business owners in Canada’s Largest Tech Park.

While you work from home in your #SeriousTech swag small business owners will receive much needed support and a small boost to their cash flow! Join us as we want to unite the tech and small business community through a common goal: to kick COVID to the curb.

#ShopLocal

Many businesses are making the difficult choice to close their doors temporarily or reduce operations for the health and safety of their customers and the community. These small businesses are facing enormous challenges in the days, weeks and months ahead and they need our support.

Today we are encouraging our community of 24,000 employees, alongside their employers, investors and partners to #ShopLocal >> order takeout, purchase gift cards and participate in our newly launched Tech Park Dollars program for use at a future date.

Tech Park Dollars

A variety of restaurant, retail, hospitality, health and wellness shops have come on board to participate in our Tech Park Dollars program.

Available in denominations of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250 and $500, Kanata North Tech Park Dollars can be spent at participating businesses in Canada’s largest technology park.

100% of each purchase will go directly back to the local small businesses you are purchasing from in the Kanata North community.

In an effort to support YOU our local small business owners through this difficult and challenging time, the Kanata North Business Association have launched a campaign to encourage our community to #ShopLocal and purchase gift cards for use at a future date.

Are you interested in joining the program?

Set Yourself up with Square Gift Cards

Easy setup. Powerful returns.

Start selling gift cards in a few clicks and then enjoy the sales boost. Customers can gift from anywhere and introduce your business to their friends and family.

Link your Existing Gift Card Payment System

For businesses that have their own online shops, gift card and/or online payment system.

We will gladly feature your company logo with a hyperlink to your online shop or gift card page on your company’s external website.

Join our Tech Park Dollars Program

For businesses that do not have a gift card/online payment system.

Tech Park Dollars will be sold as gift cards in price increments and will be tracked by our internal team with all monies being returned to retailers once processed.

Finally, I again want to stress that as the COVID19 situation unfolds, please be mindful of its impact on your mental health. It’s normal for situations like this to affect you and it’s completely OK to ask for help. If you need support, Distress Centre Ottawa is available 24/7 at 613-238-3311 or dcottawa.on.ca.

Sincerely,

Jamie Petten
President & Executive Director
Kanata North Business Association