Happy Holidays from all of us here at venn
December is here, and we’re closing out the year with bright ideas, bold momentum, and a little extra holiday magic. ’Tis the season to innovate, celebrate, and elevate.
Celebrating new brunswick’s innovators
On November 28th, the province’s innovation community came together in Saint John for the 2025 InnovateNB Awards. A packed, high-energy night celebrating the people and ideas shaping New Brunswick’s future.
First, a huge congratulations from all of us at Venn to Agrogene’s Pascale Michaud on winning the Emerging Innovator Award! We’re thrilled to see her vision and impact recognized on such a big stage.
We also want to extend our congratulations to all nominees and award winners across the ecosystem. Founders, researchers, public-sector innovators, builders, and community champions. From groundbreaking products to inclusive solutions and transformative research, this year’s cohort showcased the strength and creativity driving New Brunswick forward.
Events like InnovateNB remind us just how vibrant and collaborative our province’s innovation community is. We’re proud to support and celebrate the work happening across the region, and excited for all the big ideas still to come.
New page, new stories
We’re excited to launch a new Tech Connect page under Venn Innovation on LinkedIn!
Here, you’ll find updates on past participants and see where their journeys have taken them in the job market.
Stay tuned, we’ll soon be announcing the next Tech Connect team joining the program!
Major Atlantic Growth Push Announced
The Government of Canada has launched a new regional effort to accelerate economic growth across Atlantic Canada. Minister Sean Fraser has appointed the first-ever Atlantic Economic Panel, bringing together seven respected business leaders from across the region.
The panel will spend 2026 meeting with communities, businesses, and industry to identify what’s working, where barriers remain, and where Atlantic Canada is best positioned to lead, from clean energy to defence, tourism, tech, and more. Their final recommendations, expected in Summer 2026, will guide both government and private-sector investment to help grow jobs, boost productivity, and strengthen long-term economic opportunity.
This initiative reflects a pivotal moment for Atlantic Canada and the shared commitment needed to unlock the region’s full potential.
AI Compute Access Fund Promo
Calling all Canadian startups working in AI: This could be big for you!
The new AI Compute Access Fund is part of Canada's national strategy to build domestic AI capacity, and your startup might qualify for credits to access advanced compute power.
At Venn, we believe access should never be the barrier to innovation. That’s why we’re keeping an eye on programs like this that could level the playing field.
Venn Friday Office Hours – Startup Mentorship
Hosted by:
Alicia Roisman Ismach & Andre Zanoti – passionate supporters of bold ideas with real potential.
Calling all startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs! Looking for expert guidance to take your venture to the next level? Join us for weekly Office Hours every Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Venn Innovation (770 St. George Blvd, Moncton).
What to Expect:
1-on-1, 30-minute mentorship sessions
Tailored advice for your startup or idea
Guidance on key milestones and scaling strategies
Actionable feedback from experienced mentors
Who It’s For:
Startup founders at any stage
Future entrepreneurs with validated ideas
Innovators with high-potential plans
Limited Spots Available! Secure your session here.
Fill the Bus Campaign
This year marks the 26th Annual Fill the Bus Campaign, a milestone moment for the Anglophone East School District and our entire community. Over the past quarter-century, this initiative has gathered more than 602,000 pounds of food, valued at over $2.1 million, supporting families and students across the region. That’s the power of people coming together.
Running from November 24 to December 31 (with school pick-up scheduled for December 17), this year’s campaign keeps the tradition going with a hybrid model designed to make giving easier than ever:
Food donations for local food banks
Virtual Giving Campaign supporting School Food Programs through Feed NB
We’re proud to support those who make a real difference in our community. Let’s help Fill the Bus once again!
Tech Connect in Action: Building AI Skills in Fredericton
Our Tech Connect cohort spent Monday, Nov. 10 in Fredericton for the Build Your Own Dashboard or App Using Generative AI workshop, hosted by Eugene Chen as part of the Open Data & GovMaker Summit.
The session was an incredible opportunity for participants to explore how AI, data, and low-code tools can work together to solve real-world challenges. Workshops like this are a perfect fit for Tech Connect’s mission, building practical, in-demand skills that help participants gain confidence with emerging technologies and create portfolio-ready projects.
A huge thank-you to Eugene and the organizers for such an accessible, hands-on learning experience. Our group left feeling energized, inspired, and ready to keep building!
The Antler Breakfast
On November 21st, the Venn Innovation team had the pleasure of attending the Progress Club of Greater Moncton's annual Antler Breakfast at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Beauséjour.
This event brings our community together to raise funds for local children’s charities, and it was amazing to see so many antlers in the room showing their support.
A huge thank-you to the Progress Club for hosting such an impactful morning and for the work they do year-round for kids in our region.
A note from Doug Robertson at the Voices of Impact Luncheon
On November 26th, our CEO, Doug Robertson, attended the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton’s Voices of Impact luncheon with New Brunswick Premier Hon. Susan Holt.
Premier Holt shared an early look at the pillars guiding the province’s upcoming economic strategy — including investment attraction, boosting productivity and competitiveness, and expanding market opportunities.
We were especially encouraged to hear a strong commitment to growing New Brunswick’s knowledge economy and the infrastructure that supports it. It’s a promising signal for our region’s innovators, builders, and the ecosystem we’re proud to champion.
Supporting NB Entrepreneurs: Your Local Impact
New Brunswick — and Canadian — entrepreneurs create incredible products, from food and beverages to innovative technology. Supporting local businesses strengthens our economy, our communities, and the people behind these brands. There’s no better time than now to #BuyLocal and #BuyCanadian! 🇨🇦
Some of the best products and expertise are right here in New Brunswick. For more ways to support local, check out Excellence NB—a non-profit that showcases businesses, artisans, boutiques, and more from across our picturesque province.
NBIF Startup Investment Fund
Are you an early-stage startup based out of New Brunswick looking for investment? NBIF provides up to $200,000 of pre-seed investment and a variety of other benefits and discounted services for eligible New Brunswick companies. To find out more, click the button.
SENB Connector Program
Did you know there is a program that helps newcomers, immigrants, and recent graduates in Southeastern New Brunswick connect with potential employers or influential leaders within your industry? The Connector Program matches job seekers to industry professionals who facilitate the growth of their Conectee’s professional network. Sounds interesting? To become a Connector like our CEO, Doug Robertson, and our Community Management Lead, André, or to become a Connectee, click the button below.
Civic Tech Moncton
Every Tuesday, 6:00 - 8:00 PM @ the Junction by Venn (770 St George Blvd)
Civic Tech Moncton joins Civic Tech Fredericton and Civic Tech Saint John to serve as the connective tissue between citizens, non-profit organizations, government innovators and the tech community. We facilitate knowledge sharing and work collaboratively to build digital tools or simply provide technical advice to our non-profit sector.
Free fridays In the junction!
Following International Co-working day, we are pleased to offer free co-working Fridays in the Junction! On the first Friday of the month, we are pleased to offer free co-working spaces to anyone who is looking for a change of scenery from their usual workspace. To book your spot, visit the Junction website.
Changing the Narrative: Powering Inclusive Innovation
ICTC’s Changing the Narrative program helps women entrepreneurs overcome barriers to growth by providing the knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive in Canada’s digital economy. Since its launch in 2024, the program has connected with 400 women founders across Canada through dynamic workshops, meaningful mentorship, and impactful pitch events that spotlight their ideas and innovations.
By breaking down systemic barriers and fostering inclusive innovation, Changing the Narrative is building a community where women entrepreneurs can rise, lead, and shape the future of Canada’s digital economy. Ready to take your business to the next level? Click here to join the program today.
Program Calendar – New Brunswick
October 8, 2025 – Knowledge Mobilization Session (French): Le code de la confiance – Surmonter le syndrome de l’imposteur et bâtir la crédibilité en solo
November 5, 2025 – Knowledge Mobilization Session (English): Funding Fearlessly – Navigating Capital with Confidence
December 3, 2025 – In-Person Pitch Event (New Brunswick, venue tbd)
Ongoing – Mentorship sessions available throughout the fall, scheduled based on participant demand.
SaaStr AI London
Calling all Atlantic Canadian SaaS & AI innovators!
Join our Atlantic Canada trade mission to SaaStr AI London 2025, Europe’s premier event for AI and SaaS leaders.
Network with 2,500+ founders, investors, and executives.
Meet global VCs and strategic partners.
Gain insights from 75+ sessions on scaling AI-driven SaaS.
📅 When: December 1–2, 2025
📍 Where: London, UK
Apply by: November 3, 2025, 8:00 a.m. AST. There are only 10 spots available for Atlantic Canadian companies.
No-Pitch Competition
Moncton Tech Hive
December 5, 2025 | 6:00PM-8:00 PM |The Junction
Validation Lab | Venn & Futurpreneur
December 6, 2025 | 9:30AM - 3:30PM | The Junction, 770 St George Blvd., Moncton
We are bringing back our annual holiday mixer Tech the Halls, to celebrate the holidays and our region’s tech community.
Join us for an evening of good cheer and tech networking. We look forward to seeing you!
This event is free, but please consider donating to the Anglophone East School District's Fill The Bus Campaign. Every donation, big or small, will go directly towards helping provide essential supplies and food for our local food shelters. Thank you for your contributions.
We can’t wait to see you! To register, click on the link below:
Business After Hours | Chamber of Commerce of Greater Moncton
December 11, 2025 | 4:30PM-6:30 PM |Land Rover Moncton
Idea Centre pitch fest
You’re Invited!
Join us on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Venn Innovation for the IDEA Centre Pitch Fest!
Come cheer on our incredible students as they pitch their innovative projects
Your support matters, and trust us, you won’t want to miss the energy they’re bringing this year!
Seats are limited, save yours via the link: