One of the co-founders of the SkipTheDishes home food delivery service has launched a initiative called Harvest to help boost budding entrepreneurs.
Harvest, a not-for-profit, aims to provide founders with disruptive ideas with world-class talent, funding and support to turn their ideas into globally competitive companies. The company will leverage infrastructure that built SkipTheDishes as a way to keep these new enterprises in the prairies, Harvest founder Chris Simair, said in a news release.
Chris Simair
“Calgary is very much a contender in our process of selecting a headquarters for Harvest,” Simair said. “Opportunities within the city, including its growing workforce, create a ripe climate for entrepreneurs to succeed alongside our venture builder.”
Simair said Harvest’s first portfolio company, Neo Financial, has grown to more than 20 employees with plans to go to market in 2020.
Harvest said it has secured initial investment capital from Western Economic Diversification Canada, and will kick off a pilot program for the venture builder. Harvest plans to set up offices across the prairies and has started with its recent move into Calgary’s M2 building in East Village, it said.
Harvest said it is eyeing Calgary, Winnipeg and Saskatoon as potential sites for its headquarters.
“The Harvest model is designed to grow meaningful companies through a simple process. Known as the Harvest Platform, it contains elements that work together to provide talent, early-stage funding and access to sector leaders for each Harvest company.
“These founders and builders share the ethos of collaboration and values to make the Canadian prairies a better place to live,” the company stated.
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