Message to local governments: How best to help your most ambitious entrepreneurs

The best blog topics surface organically. This post began as a Linkedin discussion with my friend and NextStars colleague, Saeed Zienali. 

Saeed posted about his chat with the mayor of Richmond Hill, a growing city north of Toronto. He praised Richmond Hill for how they help entreprneurs succeed. Then he wrote, 

"Richmond Hill is emerging as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting global talent and investment. With one of the most diverse populations in Canada, this region understands that immigrant entrepreneurs are not just contributors to the economy, but drivers of it.

At NextStars , we see firsthand how connecting international founders with Canadian ecosystems creates jobs, brings fresh capital, and positions Ontario as a destination for global innovation.

The municipalities that embrace this mindset will lead the next wave of economic growth. Excited to explore how we can collaborate to make that happen."

I thought that was very good insight. But in the comments, I asked him to take things a bit further: "What do you think are the best tools that municipalities have to attract and support new entrepreneurs?"

Rick and Saeed bring the energy
 at Scotiabank Arena, May 2025.

Saeed's response provided lots of ideas on how municipalities can best help local entrepreneurs succeed:

"Great question, Rick. My research shows Richmond Hill already has a solid foundation with its Small Business Enterprise Centre offering free consultations, mentorship, and grant programs like Starter Company Plus that have supported over 150 young entrepreneurs.

To take it further, municipalities can create welcoming environments where entrepreneurs from all backgrounds feel they belong, develop navigation services connecting newcomers to resources they may not know exist, convene stakeholders in the same room to support new ventures, and expand mentorship programs pairing experienced leaders with emerging founders.
What do you think!?"

I loved Saeed's answer. The secret to cities helping entrepeneurs is not through formal programs, but by helping them forge connections: to markets, to talent, to expertise, to mentorship, to capital. 

Since Saeed asked, I offered these thoughts, based on my three decades of interviewing and supporting growth entrepreneurs. 

"I think very few communities have the insight and patience to deal with impatient, ambitious growth entrepreneurs. They're a very rare species, like hothouse flowers, and they need lots of light and care to grow.
In my experience, most communities do an okay job of aggregating information to give new entrepreneurs when they come calling, but they don't have a clue how to help these trail-breakers progress in their journeys.
City administrations need to embrace all aspects of entrepreneurship, and build local contacts in all industries, at all stages of growth, so they can connect these special people to each other and the specialized resources they need.
You're right, it's all about connection."

Helping entrepreneurs is not a rote civil-service, fill-out-these-forms job. My friend Ken Tencer of Say Hi To the Future joined the conversation to point out how alert, caring and nimble civil servants can really help local entreprenurs:

"You need space, mentorship, education and 'real' access to capital (not just a link to a website). I have been very impressed by some forward-thinking organizations who organize investors to come in and pitch the entrepreneurs — this is our firm, our mandate, our deal parameters and our expectations from you, the entrepreneur. It demonstrates a willingness to work with the entrepreneurs."

Every community wants and needs organic growth. Home-grown and immigrant entrepreneurs are your best hope. But municipal advisory services have to meet them where they are -- and understand their real needs.