MIT REAP Focus Nova Scotia
Innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE) plays a key role in stimulating in economic growth through the resources, talent, skills, high-paying jobs and opportunities it activates for regions around the world.
Beginning in 2021 five regional teams across Nova Scotia participated in an 18-month pilot program sponsored by ONSIDE and delivered by MIT REAP (Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program) – Focus Nova Scotia .
The aim of this work was to activate the power of rural communities by mobilizing best in class strategies for accelerating growth. Recognizing that no single organization is in charge of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, the MIT REAP Focus Nova Scotia program leverages a multi-stakeholder collective impact approach to economic development. This puts rural communities in the driver’s seat for activate change.
The evidenced-based program allowed teams from Strait/Cape Breton Region, Pictou Region, Valley Region, Western Region, South Shore Region to engage in a practical learning journey focused on the best practices in strengthening innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. Each team was led by a team champion, and represented key stakeholders and leaders essential to activating collective impact locally. In the next few pages, the five teams will highlight their experience, and the acceleration strategies that they have developed and are deploying in their communities to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Project
Following deep investigation into the nature of their entrepreneurial ecosystem, with understanding of the stakeholders able to enact change in their communities, the five teams each developed acceleration strategies to address local constraints and unlock opportunities. Focused on local comparative advantage these programmatic and policy interventions reflect an action-oriented approach from the teams. Nova Scotia is full of potential, and with perspectives from entrepreneurs, corporates, risk capital, government and post-secondary institutions the teams have begun their journey towards impact. From an AgTech Accelerator, programming to Elevate Entrepreneurship, a Rising TIDE fund and community space for ideation, LQ Collider, and unlocking the value added potential of fisheries, our teams are ready to make a difference.
Click below to access each below: