Supporting SMB Growth: Unlocking Opportunities through E-commerce

​Description:
Startup Gov (formerly Startup Canada Day on the Hill) is one of Startup Canada’s flagship programs. It connects a pan-Canadian cohort of entrepreneurs to government representatives, with the support of our network of private sector partners. Startup Gov gives every entrepreneur a voice to government to create the conditions necessary for entrepreneurial success in Canada.

​Theme:
During Small Business week, Startup Canada will host a high profile event  focusing on the findings from the Supporting SMB Growth: Unlocking Opportunities through E-commerce survey from UPS, in partnership with Nathan Associates, focusing on current opportunities and challenges for e-commerce trade within the SMB sector in Canada.

​Topics for discussion:

• ​Top challenges SMBs faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

• ​Top challenges in the context of e-commerce trade

• ​E-commerce regional and global export trends

• ​Specific barriers for e-commerce export

• ​Barriers for SMBs in expanding to online trade

​Location:
Startup Canada - Virtual Venue/ Digital Event

​Featured Speakers:

• ​Rob Bigler, General Manager of eBay Canada

• ​Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner of Canada and Assistant Deputy Minister, International Business Development, Global Affairs Canada

• ​Robert Fosco, Vice-President of Partner Channel and Knowledge Services, Export Development Canada (EDC).

​Moderator:
Paul Gaspar, Director, Small Business, UPS Canada

​Format:
Moderated Discussion

​Agenda:

• ​1:00-1:05 Opening Remarks

• ​1:05-1:55 Moderated discussion and questions the audience

• ​1:55-2:00 Final words