Province creating resource-focused website for tech sector startups

The Manitoba government is building an online portal to showcase resources for local entrepreneurs.

“What we want … is a ‘no wrong door’ sort of approach,” said Innovation Minister Mike Moroz. “Any time a business connects with my department, (they could be) directed immediately and efficiently to the desk that they need to be working with.”

His department was minted in 2024. Since then, Moroz said he’s heard complaints from Manitoba’s tech sector that government programs and processes can be complicated.

Now, his team is creating a resource-focused website. Few details were available Monday, including a launch date.

“We’re really working very closely with the innovation and the research ecosystem to make sure we get it right,” Moroz said.

Manitoba startups operate in a “not clear” landscape when seeking government grants and other offerings, said Kelly Fournel, Tech Manitoba’s chief executive.

“There’s so much time and effort put into trying to find the information and understand if an organization qualifies. It’s an ongoing source of stress and anxiety for founders.”

Klaudia McDonald learned about local supports for Bobo, her health-care startup, through a Manitoba government staff member.

To get to that employee, McDonald said she was introduced through a series of interpersonal connections: “It just was not widely accessible.”

She’s found speaking with Manitoba representatives — for funding and other topics, such as pilot projects — more difficult than getting face time with other provinces’ governments.

Understanding what’s needed to apply for certain grants within Manitoba can be challenging, too, McDonald said.

“We are very happy to be here, but even with trying to work with the province and trying to connect with them, it’s extremely difficult,” she said.

Fournel has watched technology startups move their headquarters out of Manitoba.

“It’s about knowing you have a future here. If government can do a better job of streamlining and presenting information in a really easy to find way, it would go a long way,” she said.

Manitoba could also support startups by increasing local procurement and meeting with founders, Fournel said.

The industry generates more than $2 billion in GDP growth.

Tech Manitoba shared data showing an increase in technology jobs from 2019 through 2024. The number jumped to 12,770 jobs from 11,390, when looking at computer and electronic product manufacturing, software publishing, data processing and hosting, telecommunications and computer systems design.

The provincial government is spending $2 million on an initiative promoting artificial intelligence use among companies, including training staff.

So far, 24 chambers of commerce have been part of the rollout; it’s trickled to more than 100 participants, Moroz said. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce designed the initiative.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com