Innovate To Elevate
Posted on Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Project Summary:
User Experience Research & Design project focused on understanding obstacles faced in launching or running a tech startup in Ottawa. Our solution aims to build an ecosystem tailored to the needs of young innovators.
| Client | City of Ottawa | |
| Professor(s) | Jed Looker, Lanre Jerry-Ijishakin | |
| Program | Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centered Design | |
| Student Team Members | Vidhi Vala; Daryl Lopez; Radhika Mittal; Preshit Rastogi; |
Project Description:
Ottawa stands out as one of the best technology hubs in Canada, and used to be called Silicon Valley North due to its expertise across various tech sectors. Despite boasting a thriving startup ecosystem, recent research indicates a concerning trend of brain drain, with young talent migrating to other major cities in pursuit of opportunities.
To tackle this issue, we conducted interviews with diverse stakeholders and conducted a thorough literature review to understand the factors driving talent migration and identify areas for improvement in Ottawa’s startup ecosystem.
Our primary goal is to enhance Ottawa’s startup infrastructure by empowering young innovators through a centralized web portal ‘Ottawa Kickstarters’ that offers resources required for their entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, we aim to address urban challenges through our community-led ‘SmartCity Initiative’, fostering collaboration among stakeholders by bringing the city and the startups together.
In the short term, we empower young innovators with knowledge and resources to launch successful ventures. In the long term, we align economic development with the startup ecosystem, addressing urban challenges collaboratively. Ultimately, we aspire for our initiative to redefine Ottawa’s identity and elevate its regional brand beyond its historical government-centric focus. By positioning the city as a magnet for young changemakers and innovators, we aim to showcase its potential as a dynamic destination with opportunities for growth and transformation.