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I'm surprised to see how little funding/support there is specifically from Alberta[1], given the oil/gas wealth and the general awareness (going back decades) t

I'm surprised to see how little funding/support there is specifically from Alberta[1], given the oil/gas wealth and the general awareness (going back decades) that they need to diversify their economy. 1 - https://www.mentorworks.ca/what-we-offer/government-funding/ https://www.mentorworks.ca/what-we-offer/government-funding/

microcolonel 10y ago
Alberta used to be the best province regarding the behaviour of government, and this was one of the great things. The provincial taxes are fairly low, and until the most recent regime change none of the cities had municipal debt. I would take lower taxes over a grant most days.
- josho 10y ago
  How do taxes play a role for a startup that defers profit for growth? Taxes won't be a factor until you've succeeded. Or is it that your experience with grants are that negative that you value them so poorly?
  - microcolonel 10y ago
    Grants are dangerous for society, because they encourage private businesses to cooperate with current-term politics, and they take money out of the market. Last year, our federal government gave nearly $400mm to one company expecting the creation of just 1300 jobs. There are federal tax incentives for any company that does essentially anything novel (SRED) and that somewhat works, since acceptance is only conditional on meeting the criteria. Grants are preferential.
gricardo99 10y ago
Some quick googling and there appear to be many more Alberta government business funding programs: http://www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca/funding-a-business/ http://www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca/funding-a-business/ That's probably the case for other Provinces too.
josho 10y ago
Interestingly in AB the investor community is adverse to tech. Because they've had few successes, don't understand it, and have plenty of opportunity to invest in what they do understand (energy).

microcolonel 10y ago

Alberta used to be the best province regarding the behaviour of government, and this was one of the great things. The provincial taxes are fairly low, and until the most recent regime change none of the cities had municipal debt. I would take lower taxes over a grant most days.

josho 10y ago
How do taxes play a role for a startup that defers profit for growth? Taxes won't be a factor until you've succeeded. Or is it that your experience with grants are that negative that you value them so poorly?
- microcolonel 10y ago
  Grants are dangerous for society, because they encourage private businesses to cooperate with current-term politics, and they take money out of the market. Last year, our federal government gave nearly $400mm to one company expecting the creation of just 1300 jobs. There are federal tax incentives for any company that does essentially anything novel (SRED) and that somewhat works, since acceptance is only conditional on meeting the criteria. Grants are preferential.

gricardo99 10y ago

Some quick googling and there appear to be many more Alberta government business funding programs: http://www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca/funding-a-business/ http://www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca/funding-a-business/ That's probably the case for other Provinces too.

josho 10y ago

Interestingly in AB the investor community is adverse to tech. Because they've had few successes, don't understand it, and have plenty of opportunity to invest in what they do understand (energy).