UPDATED: Nov 3/25 The Problem Not enough creators, such as musicians, earn a sustainable living. Money is being made in the music industry though. Yet, value leaks at every step—platforms, labels, ticketing, middlemen, venues—leaving artists with a fraction of what their music, time and hard word generates. Some artists lack clear, practical pathways to capture value ( make enough money ) quickly and directly. Can talented, hard working and committed musicians convert their l

Discover how private capital is reshaping Canada beyond the billionaire myth. Learn how AREA 81 wants to empower rural communities with private capital.

A series of videos about AREA 81. How it works, how it's evolving and how to get involved.

Yancey Strickler presents the vision and legal framework for Artist Corporations (A-Corps), a new corporate structure designed to empower artists and creators in the creative economy. | Published Sep 17, 2025 by  Metalabel Artist Corporations: The Vision, Law & Movement Key Insights A-Corps are a new corporate structure designed specifically for artists and creators, combining benefits of various existing structures while addressing their limitations. The structure provides a

But, we’ve lost 100,000 entrepreneurs—and 350,000 can’t get the financing they need. This raises the question: is BDC doing a good job? Rural entrepreneurs power Canada’s real economy—jobs, exports, main‑street vitality, and community pride. Yet we have 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs than 20 years ago and an estimated 350,000 who can’t access the financing they need. That gap is widest outside big cities, where distance, thin credit files, and unconventional models collide with

ROMA's Vision for Rural Ontario The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Strategic Plan 2024–2027  sets a clear path forward: Build municipal capacity  — finance, workforce, and innovation. Advance rural wellbeing  — through stronger infrastructure, housing, health, and broadband. Strengthen communications and convening  — so rural Ontario speaks with one voice In 2025, ROMA’s Board reinforced this agenda: Endorsing a rebrand  of rural Ontario as resilient, influential

The Problem Organizations everywhere are under growing pressure to prove their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Yet compliance today is fragmented and costly: Duplicative frameworks : UNGC Communication on Progress (CoP), UNCTAD Core Indicators (GCI), Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), and SDG Impact Standards all demand attention. SMEs lack expertise  and can’t afford expensive consultants. Public institutions struggle  to provide quality data for VN

Discover why angel investing in Canada is broken and how it impacts early-stage startups. Learn more about the challenges in angel investing in Canada.

Buying Local is an Act of Belief A Personal Introduction At AREA 81 , we’re building something rooted in belief — belief that rural entrepreneurship not only matters, but holds the key to our region’s future. We’re not fully established yet, but the vision is clear: a thriving, collaborative entrepreneurship and venture development ecosystem that turns bold ideas into enduring businesses, right here in Grey and Bruce (to start). Our Belief Capital campaign, and this blog pos

Learn what a Mafia Offer is, why jargon like this matters in startups, and how to choose the right offer type to gain traction with real-world examples.

Explore the latest tech boom with insights on QSBS expansion and startup exits. Discover how QSBS is reshaping investment strategies today.

Belief capital—mentorship, trust, and support—is the missing ingredient in rural entrepreneurship. Learn how AREA 81 is helping founders turn belief into growth.

TL;DR Seventeen entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from both rural Grey Bruce and nearby cities  gathered for the first-ever AREA 81 May Day, mixing Farm-to-Fork food, innovation demos, and open conversation. The goal:  Test what’s possible when you bring diverse rural and urban talent together to shape the future of entrepreneurship in the region. What worked:  100% attendance, strong peer connections, candid feedback, and the seeds of new ideas and collaborations. What co

A roundtable discussion with experts examining the current state of early stage venture capital investing, liquidity strategies, M&A trends, and startup revenue quality.

As AI accelerates the pace of innovation, even the most brilliantly engineered products can lose relevance overnight. The Dyson vs. robot vacuum story isn’t just about vacuums—it’s a warning for any builder: if the problem you’re solving is shrinking, no amount of technical magic can save you. Nate B Jones’s analysis lays out why human ingenuity must be directed at the right  challenges, especially as AI changes the game. Key Insights According to Nate, one in two vacuum clea

The First Milestone Every Entrepreneur Misses (And How We’re Fixing That in Grey Bruce) Before you build a product or write a plan, there’s one thing every entrepreneur needs: proof you’re solving a real problem. Ask most entrepreneurs when they really  started their business, and they’ll say: “When I had the idea.”Or, “When I built the thing.”Or, “When I made my first sale.” But in reality, most successful ventures start  the moment the founder gets clear on the problem they

Rural entrepreneurs are navigating a different landscape. We’re starting a new conversation about what they really need — and you’re invited to help shape it. Over the past year, we've been quietly researching what it takes to start and grow a business in rural Canada — and how it’s different from doing so in a city. What we've uncovered isn't just important — it’s urgent. Rural entrepreneurs face unique challenges, but also represent one of the most under-supported sources o

Navigating Entrepreneurial Decisions: How to Wisely Invest Your Time and Money Entrepreneurs frequently face the daunting challenge of managing limited resources amid endless opportunities. Today's AREA 81 Entrepreneur Coffee chat at Powerlink , led by Chris Herbert, tackled this challenge head-on by presenting practical frameworks entrepreneurs can use to make strategic decisions about their business relationships and promotional activities. Listen to what AI Amy and Ian had

Discover Campoody Technologies' innovation in Grey Bruce with the Venture Spotlight Series, highlighting global-impact ventures and inspirin