Kanika Gupta, Founder and Chief Catalyst Jesse Abramson, Product Lead
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SoJo announces public launch
Its been months in the making, but SoJo is officially shedding its beta title. The Toronto-based provider of tools and resources for social innovators is ready to make its next move to become the leading online resource for turning ideas for social change into action.
"This launch represents and enhances our commitment to the individual behind the idea. At SoJo, we remove the complications that occur when trying to find fragmented and complex information to ensure that the individual can focus, incubate and execute on their ideas for social change," said Kanika Gupta, SoJo's founder.
But the official release isn't the only thing SoJo is celebrating. The startup also received the seal of approval from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO"). In a statement, David Walden, the secretary-general of the Canadian commission, credited SoJo's "innovative initiative," calling it a "platform to bring together social innovators who can collectively work toward finding solutions to global challenges."
Ms. Gupta says her company's medium-term plan is to white-label its "B2B" product and licence it commercially to large enterprises (for instance. banks, telcos and IT) to better engage their employees around causes they care about.
Where do students and recent grads want to work?
When it comes to favourable workplaces, it's all about the yoga pants, video games and social networking. According to a survey released by LinkedIn, the most desirable employer for students among mid-sized companies in Canada (under 10,000 employees) is Lululemon, followed closely by Ubisoft and Facebook. The results are based on the activity of 20 million students on Linkedin, including job search behaviour, the companies they follow, and their views of company pages and member profiles.
Here is the full top 10 list:
- Lululemon
- Ubisoft
- Holt Renfrew
- Cossette
- Aritzia
- Labatt
- Nexen
- Mosaic
- CBC
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
TELUS opens newest business store
Today TELUS throws open the doors to its new store to serve Toronto's small and medium-sized businesses. The store features trained in-store sales consultants, learning centres which offer one-on-one or group tutorials to help business customers learn how to get the most out of their communications technology, and display stations equipped with live devices and interactive monitors throughout the store to provide customers with information about networks and services.
Sprout Up's Young Innovators Showcase
Tonight at 6 p.m., join Sprouter at Ryerson' University's Ted Rogers School of Management when it showcases some of Southern Ontario's best young entrepreneurs, and the organizations supporting them. The best startups from Ryerson's DMZ, The Next 36, and Waterloo's VeloCity program will show off for Toronto's entrepreneur community.
EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS
A toast to the inventor of Canada Dry
In this month's edition of The Innovators, we examine the life and times of John J. McLaughlin, the inventor of Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale.
FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES
Do gimmicks have staying power?
A gimmicky product or marketing idea can spark interest but it takes more to drive business long-term.
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Katherine Scarrow