GUELPH – Innovation Guelph has found a surprising benefit to pivoting to online networking as a result of the pandemic.
Women in its Rhyze Ventures program found that biweekly check-in meetings allowed women to network in ways they wouldn’t have done in person.
“The online check-ins helped nurture relationship-building more via Zoom than I’d experience in the classroom setting before COVID,” said Charlene Nadalin, president and CEO of Amintro and a Rhyze Ventures participant.
“There was trust, respect and understanding that can’t happen in classrooms.”
“Innovation and collaboration arise from crisis and it seems, empowering relationships do too,” said Katherine Laycock, Rhyze Ventures program manager.
The Rhyze Ventures program was already underway when COVID-19 hit and Innovation Guelph quickly pivoted the program from in-person delivery to an online environment.
“It is important to not lose any of the value when transitioning the program to online delivery,” Laycock said.
“We have always valued and responded to participant feedback but were somewhat surprised when we started to hear that clients were doing more networking and building stronger relationships outside of the classroom in the online environment.”
The program is funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency through its Southern Ontario’s Women Entrepreneur Strategy.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support organizations that provide the right conditions for ideas to thrive, for creativity to flourish and for Canadian entrepreneurs to grow.
“With the pivot to online program delivery, Innovation Guelph’s virtual classes will be a great learning tool for young entrepreneurs,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.
Joly is also the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
