Start-ups often use a pitch deck (also known as a slide deck, start-up deck or investor deck) to present a brief but informative overview of their company to prospective angel or venture capital investors. Generally composed of 15 – 20 slides in a PowerPoint format, a pitch deck showcases a company’s products, technology, and team…

So you want to start a business. You think you have a great idea. But how do you know for sure your idea doesn’t stink! The answer: Write a business plan! It’s a great way to ensure your business idea and the path to get there is solid and viable. Consider this: Would you live…

Market research is an important and necessary step to help business owners understand the competitive landscape, profitability, and consumer behaviour in any given market. Despite being the foundation of any business' value proposition and competitive positioning in the market, many entrepreneurs skip this step. This article will highlight what market research is, and why market…

One of the larger sections of any business plan, the marketing plan explains to your reader what you are going to sell, how much you will charge, how you will position and promote your product or service, and what sales channels you plan to use. The marketing plan accomplishes this by introducing your unique selling…

When you put your heart, soul, and life savings into your business but still need help to move it forward, an investor can help. They can offer you money or support to grow your business in exchange for a share of the profits. Bringing in an investor (or group of investors) involves more than just…

If you are planning to start your own business, choosing the right city is an essential decision. Here are the top cities in Canada that could be ideal for the location of your new company.   Introduction Start-ups are an essential element of the Canadian economy and help ensure that the country does achieve high…

Crucial to business plans designed to secure funding or partnerships, your products and services section needs to showcase the quality, value, and benefits your business offers. It's not just a list of what your business is going to produce or provide. Instead, it outlines what you make or do, why your market needs your products…

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra Sure, Yogi was likely talking about baseball and not business, but the wisdom imparted remains the same: Planning matters. Regardless of the industry you’re in or the size of your business, whether you’re a start-up or established, having a…