About
ONSIDE is a community accelerator empowering rural and underrepresented groups through inclusive innovation-driven entrepreneurship (i+IDE) and collective impact. We amplify disruptive ideas and mobilize collaboration to turn ideas into impact for a more prosperous and entrepreneurial future.
We were born out of a two-year engagement, with the MIT REAP (Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program) championed by Dalhousie University and funded by the private sector. The REAP program provided the space for participants from Nova Scotia to understand the drivers of a successful ecosystem, identify Nova Scotia’s comparative advantage and collectively accomplish its “must-win battle” – the Ocean Super Cluster. ONSIDE aims to continue those efforts and bring to bear the learnings and experiences from MIT REAP, and share them with Nova Scotians more directly and continuously.
We are currently leading the Start Now Incubator, an initiative rooted in our inclusive innovation research and experience that aims to support rural, indigenous, and diverse intersectional women entrepreneurs across Canada. Though this work we help women to gain the skills and networks necessary to actively participate in an innovative and entrepreneurial economy, generating prosperity and social benefit.
Our Vision
A prosperous Nova Scotia driven by inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship and comparative advantage.
Our Mission: Convene, Connect, Catalyze
We convene individuals and organizations to build trust and quality partnerships which are essential for the advancement of innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
We connect stakeholder efforts, facilitate learning, and share best practices to bring awareness and amplify the power of inclusive innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
We catalyze innovation-driven entrepreneurship by mobilizing resources, stirring action and creating awareness.
Deep Dive: Theory of Change Summary
Intended Impact Statement: Rooted in our deep commitment to inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship, underrepresented and immigrant women in Nova Scotia and throughout will Canada have the skills, access to resources and networks enabling their increased participation in the innovation economy, and Ecosystem Stakeholders are implementing solutions to foster inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.
If we support Underrepresented and Immigrant women entrepreneurs in our region and across Canada to…
Develop entrepreneurial skills, capacity and networks
And we improve the conditions for inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship by…
Generating data and insights on inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship
Amplifying inclusive innovation stories and narratives
Testing and prototyping ideas to make inclusive innovation more tangible
And we bring the entrepreneurs and specific Ecosystem Stakeholders together through….
Events and peer to peer learning opportunities
Conversations about ways to collectively advance practice
Then…
Underrepresented and Immigrant women in Nova Scotia and across Canada will more actively participate in and benefit from the innovation economy
Ecosystem Stakeholders will more readily implement solutions to foster inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship
Leading to…
Underrepresented entrepreneurs in Canada meaningfully participating in and shaping a prosperous innovation economy of the future.
Our Approach
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Entrepreneurs are the engine of growth in our economy. Their efforts improve the quality of our lives, increase productivity, create jobs and conditions for a prosperous society. Entrepreneurs are at the centre of our work.
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No one organization has all the answers. Fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship takes multiple players. That is why we approach all our work through a collective impact lens.
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It is well known that diversity of thought and experience drive innovation. To have a truly productive and dynamic economy, we need all hands on deck. Inclusion of under-represented groups and locations is not a nice-to-have, it is a must.
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The value of trust cannot be underestimated. To continue being the trusted players that we are in the innovation ecosystem, we are intentional about being open and transparent about our motivation, activities, and outcomes.
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One of the principles of collective impact is shared measurement across stakeholder groups. Moreover, to make sense of our work and track progress, our actions have to be measurable through both quantitative and (or) qualitative means.
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There are many wonderful things happening in the innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a backbone organization, ONSIDE aims to work with others to amplify this activity, share best practices, and highlight successes.
Our Team
Alexandra McCann
Executive Director
Lynn Coveyduck
Project Optimizer
Liesl Mulholland
Advisory Services
Megan Marshall
Events and Communications Coordinator
Meet the ONSIDE Board
Dr. Claudia De Fuentes, ONSIDE Chair
Allison Gibson, ONSIDE Director
Barrinique Griffin, ONSIDE Director
Sylvia Parris, ONSIDE Director
Thauana Morais, ONSIDE Director
Chris Atwood, ONSIDE Director
Bernie Miller, QC, past
Vice Chair
Chère Chapman, past Chair
Our Commitments
At ONSIDE, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusivity in driving innovation, creativity, and prosperity. We are committed to creating a workplace where all voices are heard and valued, and where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.