Innovation Outpost @ The Chilled Cork – Founders Night CK

Have a startup idea or growing company and interested in expanding your network in Chatham-Kent? Join us in person for Innovation Outpost: Founders Night CK at The Chilled Cork‘s beautiful downtown Chatham space.

Socialize over food and drinks and meet fellow entrepreneurs and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem while gaining insights from Blenheim native Ron Spreeuwenberg, co-founder of HiMama, the #1 rated Childcare App.

This FREE event is a collaboration between WEtech Alliance and Libro Credit Union in partnership Chatham-Kent Economic Development Corporation. It is a nightlong celebration that brings together entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, changemakers, entrepreneurial support organizations, local leaders, and community to celebrate, educate, connect, and build momentum and opportunity around our region’s startup and businesses community.

What’s included? This free networking event includes a selection of refreshments and appetizers from our hosts at The Chilled Cork. A cash bar will also be available.

Who is this event for? This event is for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and business owners, and anyone who is curious about entrepreneurship. The goal for this event is to help motivate, connect, and support the local entrepreneurship community.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Ron Spreeuwenberg, Co-founder and CEO at HiMama

Ron Spreeuwenberg was born in Chatham and grew up in Blenheim where he saved up money for university with various agricultural jobs like hoeing bean fields, detasseling corn, and growing mushrooms. He ventured out of the Chatham-Kent community when he attended the University of Waterloo where he studied Chemical Engineering. He later worked as a strategy and operations consultant with Deloitte in Ottawa and Toronto.

After several years of consulting, completing an MBA at Harvard Business School, and various life adventures taking him to Amsterdam, Shanghai, and London, he took the entrepreneurial plunge in 2013, founding a Toronto-based company called HiMama. Ron led HiMama, a subscription software platform serving the child care sector, as CEO, for 10 years over which time he raised $90 million, acquired 10,000 customers, and grew the team to 180 employees.

Ron currently lives in the east end of Toronto with his wife, Sarah, and their two young boys. Ron continues to serve on the Board of Directors of HiMama while also helping out other entrepreneurs, rediscovering athletics, travelling, and continuing a life-long pursuit of learning.

ABOUT INNOVATION OUTPOSTS & EVENT HOST

About Innovation Outposts: The Innovation Outposts event series, powered by Libro Credit Union, connects businesses with important resources designed to inspire growth and strong relationships. Innovation Outpost events include community building activities and workshops to connect entrepreneurs, supporting business development through educational programming, and strengthening networks to regional and national business support groups. For more details, visit www.wetech-alliance.com/outposts or email Jen Brignall-Strong, Manager of Events & Community Programs at jbrignall-strong@wetech-alliance.com.

About WEtech Alliance: WEtech Alliance is one of 17 Regional Innovation Centres funded by the Government of Ontario, serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. They provide entrepreneurs with business services, training, commercialization and IP support, mentorship, and strategic connections to help bring new ideas to market, scale to the next level and build a dynamic culture and a community of innovation. WEtech Alliance has served as the catalyst for technology and innovation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 2011.

About The Chilled Cork: Historic and tastefully modern with a stylishly bold assembly of vibrant colour and pop art, the Cork’s approachable and eclectic atmosphere bridges old and new by offering comfort cuisine fused with international flare. The Cork’s talented and creative culinary team are driven by passion and collaborate unlike anywhere else as the team fuses decades of experiences. Menus for all tastes and diets, including vegan, the food and energetic setting compliment the feel of Retro Suites Hotel. Come to the Cork to eat, drink, socialize, or celebrate and make lasting memories.

REGISTER