Ulnooweg CEO appointed to Innovacorp board
Chris Googoo, Ulnooweg Development Group’s Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed to the Innovacorp board of directors.
Innovacorp is Nova Scotia’s early stage venture capital organization, focused on investment and support for innovative technology start-up companies. Ulnooweg has been providing loans and business services to Indigenous business enterprises and entrepreneurs throughout Atlantic Canada since 1986.
“The synergies between the two organizations are extraordinary and open the door for a more collaborative approach to nurturing Indigenous entrepreneurial talent,” says Googoo, of Millbrook.
Ulnooweg has representatives in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
It serves as an advocate for Indigenous entrepreneurs and supports youth, enabling them to develop skills for careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
“At a time when the demography of Atlantic Canada and Nova Scotia is so challenging, the Indigenous community can be an important source of talent,” says Googoo.
This collaboration with Innovacorp means the impact of both organizations can be amplified at a time when there is a strong national interest in forging a new relationship and reconciliation with Canada’s First Peoples.
Googoo is enthusiastic about this opportunity to join Innovacorp’s board.
“I believe that supporting new and growing enterprises, including Indigenous entrepreneurs, in the fields of IT,
life sciences, clean technology and ocean technology – Innovacorp’s target sectors – will make Nova Scotia more competitive in attracting talent and investment.”
Innovacorp Board Chair Rodney Burgar is equally enthusiastic about this appointment.
“We want to embrace Indigenous entrepreneurship and Chris’ experience and commitment to advancing economic growth within Atlantic Canada will benefit Innovacorp’s internal team, as well as our clients,” he said.
Federal funding was recently announced for a unique provincewide Federal educational initiative, led by Ulnooweg, which will deliver qualitative digital learning, resources and programming to children and youth in every Mi’kmaq community across Nova Scotia.