Kingston Celebrated for Exceptional Support to Startup Community

Kingston has received national recognition for its commitment to nurturing startup businesses, winning the “Best Small City in Canada” award from StartupBlink’s Startup Ecosystem Awards. The city stands out as the only municipality with a population under 500,000 to rank in the top ten startup ecosystems across the country, highlighting its innovative spirit.

Leadership in Ecosystem Development

According to Eli David Rokah, chief executive officer of StartupBlink, the award underscores Kingston Economic Development’s exceptional leadership. “StartupBlink is delighted to recognize Kingston Economic Development for its exceptional leadership in elevating Kingston to one of Canada’s top 10 startup ecosystems,” he stated in a news release. “This award is well-deserved, and we congratulate the team for their continued commitment to growing the city’s startup ecosystem.”

The award particularly commends Kingston Economic Development’s integrated approach to building its ecosystem. The strategy involves forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders, innovation hubs, and academic institutions, thereby offering comprehensive support for entrepreneurs at all stages of growth. This model has fostered significant economic development, contributing to job creation and attracting considerable investment to the region.

Community Impact and Future Aspirations

Cathy Campbell-Wilson, chair of the Kingston Economic Development Board, expressed her pride in the recognition. “As board chair and longtime Kingston resident, this recognition affirms that our strategic investments in ecosystem development are delivering real impact,” she noted. “Our community’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with the Corporation’s dedicated leadership, continue positioning Kingston as a global model for communities of our size.”

Kingston has demonstrated particular strengths in sustainable manufacturing and life sciences innovation. The city has also received high marks for its energy and environmental ecosystems, especially in the cleantech sector. This positioning is vital as Kingston aims to lead in sustainability and climate initiatives.

Donna Gillespie, CEO of Kingston Economic Development Corporation, emphasized the collective effort behind this achievement. “This award belongs to our entire community,” she said. “It recognizes the strategic partnerships and commitment that make Kingston’s startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem thrive. This recognition stems from creating conditions where innovation flourishes and entrepreneurs build their futures here.”

Norman Musengimana, business development manager for startups and entrepreneurship at Kingston Economic Development, highlighted the unique qualities of the local ecosystem. “Kingston’s startup ecosystem is exceptional because of our nimbleness and collaborative spirit,” he remarked. “This award validates our approach of building genuine relationships and providing practical support. Our entrepreneurs don’t just launch here — they grow here and create global impact from Kingston.”

The recognition by StartupBlink not only enhances Kingston’s profile as a leading location for startups but also reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.