Mi6 Round Up | April 2025
- Chris Herbert
- Apr 28
- 10 min read
At Mi6, we curate these round ups to deliver essential, actionable insights that matter to entrepreneurs and marketing professionals like you. We sift through the noise to bring you the strategies, trends, and innovations that can genuinely move the needle for your business.
Apr 28 Update
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Canadian Entrepreneurs Boost Sales and Productivity with AI Tools
GoDaddy’s latest research reveals that 28% of Canadian small business owners now use AI, mainly for copywriting (73%), summarizing information (52%), and content creation (35%), resulting in higher revenue expectations and expansion plans. Users of GoDaddy’s AI platform, Airo, report up to 30% more sales and major boosts in web traffic and social media engagement. Entrepreneurs are advised to integrate AI tools to automate tasks, enhance marketing, and fuel growth.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should audit their administrative workflows and invest in automation technologies to reclaim time for core business activities and scalability. | Read more
Manitoba Entrepreneur Balances Business Growth with Humanitarian Farming Efforts
Manitoba business owner Clinton Monchuk is managing his local poultry farming while coordinating humanitarian farming projects in Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Through initiatives like providing seed, fertilizer, and equipment, Monchuk helps Ukrainian farmers maintain food production despite conflict conditions. His dual efforts highlight the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should explore integrating social impact initiatives into their business models to enhance brand purpose and global relevance. | Read more
Canada’s Startup Visa Program Fuels Economic Growth and Talent Acquisition
Canada’s Startup Visa Program is driving economic growth by attracting global entrepreneurial talent, particularly in engineering and tech sectors. Successful applicants are creating businesses that generate jobs, spur innovation, and contribute to a resilient economy. The program's demand highlights Canada’s strategic positioning as a hub for skilled entrepreneurs.
Actionable Insight: Business owners and marketers should monitor immigration-driven innovation trends to find new collaboration and investment opportunities with incoming startups. | Read more
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TD Bank's Ongoing Investment Strengthens Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Manitoba
A major gift from TD Bank Group continues to power Red River College Polytechnic’s Mittohnee Pogohtah Indigenous entrepreneurship incubator and accelerator program. Focused on mentorship, training, and business development, the program equips Indigenous entrepreneurs with tools to launch and scale ventures, fostering economic empowerment and innovation within Indigenous communities.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should seek partnerships with or support Indigenous-led initiatives, aligning with broader diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals while tapping into emerging markets. | Read more
Canadian Small Businesses Struggle with Admin Overload, Urging Tech Adoption
According to HR Reporter, Canadian small businesses are overwhelmed by administrative tasks, hampering growth and innovation. Experts recommend embracing automation tools, such as AI-driven HR platforms, to streamline recruitment, onboarding, and payroll processes. Reducing manual workload enables entrepreneurs to focus on strategic initiatives and customer engagement.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should audit their administrative workflows and invest in automation technologies to reclaim time for core business activities and scalability. | Read more
Grade 8 Entrepreneurs Raise Over $17,000, Showcasing Youth Business Potential
Students at Williams Parkway Senior Public School raised more than $17,000 through their entrepreneurship project, selling products and services they developed themselves. This initiative highlights how early entrepreneurial education fosters business skills, creativity, and community impact among youth, preparing the next generation of business leaders.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs and business owners should consider mentoring or partnering with youth entrepreneurship programs to build brand goodwill and cultivate future talent pipelines. | Read more
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GTA Startups Harness Digital Services to Accelerate Growth in 2025
Startups in the Greater Toronto Area are rapidly scaling by leveraging digital tools such as AI marketing, cloud platforms, and e-commerce solutions, according to Durham Post. By prioritizing automation, data-driven strategies, and remote collaboration technologies, these businesses are expanding reach, reducing overhead, and improving customer engagement.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should prioritize adopting integrated digital solutions to streamline operations, expand market access, and build resilience in an increasingly tech-driven economy. | Read more
US Digital Marketing Spend Slows, but Optimism for 2025 Grows
According to The CMO Survey, US digital marketing spending grew by just 7.3% this year—the slowest post-COVID rate—due to inflationary pressures. Despite this, CMOs project an 11.9% digital spend increase in the coming year, with stronger investments in brand building (+6.6%) and CRM (+6.1%). Entrepreneurs must adapt by prioritizing cost-efficient, high-ROI digital strategies and focusing on strengthening brand and customer loyalty initiatives.
Actionable Insight: Rebalance budgets toward brand development and CRM while maintaining lean, high-impact digital campaigns. | Read more
CMOs Face Mounting Pressure from CEOs, CFOs, and Boards to Prove Value
The latest CMO Survey reveals a sharp rise in pressure on marketers: 63% report increased scrutiny from CFOs, 61% from CEOs, and 50% from Boards. This pressure is most intense for B2C Product CMOs, where marketing spend averages 21.5% of company budgets. Entrepreneurs and marketing leaders must sharpen performance metrics, align marketing goals with business outcomes, and clearly demonstrate ROI.
Actionable Insight: Build tighter financial reporting and business-case storytelling around marketing activities to earn leadership trust and secure budgets. | Read more
US B2B Trade Show Market Nears Full Recovery, Unlocking Growth Opportunities
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reports that Q4 2024 saw the strongest B2B trade show activity since the pandemic, with metrics like exhibitor numbers and revenues nearly matching 2019 levels. Although attendee numbers lag slightly (-12.9%), event spending is forecasted to grow by 2.3% in 2025, signaling robust opportunities for networking and lead generation.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should reinvest in trade show strategies to capitalize on renewed in-person engagement and high-quality B2B lead acquisition. | Read more
Apr 21 Update
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U.S. Cities Most at Risk from Canadian Trade Disruptions
A surge in U.S. protectionist trade policies—spurred by Trump-era tariffs—puts cities like San Antonio, Detroit, and Kansas City at economic risk due to their high export dependency on Canada. These metros are tightly tied to integrated supply chains in auto, aerospace, and energy sectors. Disruptions could threaten over 1 million U.S. jobs.
Actionable Insight: Businesses in export-reliant metros must diversify markets and advocate for trade stability to protect supply chains and jobs. | Read more
Wharton Professor: Why Entrepreneurial Success Is About Mindset, Not Age
In Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, Wharton’s Lori Rosenkopf challenges the myth that successful startups come only from young disruptors. She identifies resilience, self-awareness, and relationship-building as critical traits for entrepreneurs — whether launching a side hustle, leading corporate innovation, or starting fresh in midlife. With over 80% of ventures bootstrapped, the real key is leveraging one’s unique life experiences to spot untapped value.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should embrace their “zone of genius,” build support networks, and start small — innovation begins with mindset. | Read more
Students Get Hands-On with Entrepreneurship at St. Theresa School
Grade 8 students at St. Theresa Catholic School in Sherwood Park launched mini ventures as part of an in-class entrepreneurial fair, selling handmade goods and learning real-world business skills. The initiative, tied to Alberta’s Career and Technology Foundations curriculum, gave students experience in pricing, marketing, and customer service through pop-up shops.
Actionable Insight: Early entrepreneurship programs build foundational business acumen—entrepreneurs should consider mentoring or supporting youth ventures to cultivate future talent. | Read more
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Tariffs Driving AI Adoption: A Competitive Edge for Canadian SMEs
Facing rising costs from global tariffs, Canadian businesses are turning to AI to enhance efficiency and remain competitive. BDC highlights how AI tools—like automation, predictive maintenance, and customer service chatbots—can offset price pressures by boosting productivity. Companies that embrace AI are not only streamlining operations but also improving decision-making and resilience.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should view economic pressure as a catalyst to invest in AI solutions that reduce costs and future-proof operations. | Read more
Canada’s Innovation Gap Threatens Long-Term Economic Health
Canada ranks poorly in global innovation metrics, a trend columnist Cory McPhee argues undermines the country’s ability to fund essential social programs. Despite strong education and research sectors, weak commercialization and low private-sector R&D spending persist. Without a shift toward productivity-boosting innovation, Canada risks stagnating growth and fiscal strain.
Actionable Insight: Business leaders should prioritize innovation-driven strategies—like IP development and R&D partnerships—to drive growth and strengthen national competitiveness. | Read more
CEOs Push Marketing to Drive Growth, But Confidence in CMOs Remains Mixed
According to Boathouse’s 2025 CEO Study, 57% of CEOs now prioritize marketing’s role in driving sales and market share—up from 45% last year. Yet only 51% say CMOs are central to growth strategy, and under 20% rate their CMO as top-tier in driving growth. Despite rising CMO involvement in financial planning, doubts linger about execution, innovation, and alignment with company goals.
Actionable Insight: CMOs must link marketing to core business metrics and growth outcomes to gain deeper trust and strategic influence. | Read more
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Small Businesses Prioritize Learning to Overcome Marketing Challenges
Customer acquisition tops the list of challenges for early-stage small businesses, with 40% aiming to strengthen customer relationships and 38% planning to upskill in marketing strategies, per Constant Contact’s 2025 report. While AI isn’t seen as a cure-all, 72% still plan to use it—mainly for content generation, data analysis, and personalization.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should invest time in mastering new marketing tools while using AI to amplify—not replace—relationship-driven strategies. | Read more
Webinar Engagement Rises, Driven by On-Demand and Personalization
Webinars are drawing larger B2B audiences, with average attendance up 7% to 216 in 2024. Nearly half (45%) now prefer on-demand viewing, while live participation continues to decline. Engagement is also deepening—demo bookings rose 18%, and personalized experiences drove a 4X lift in demos and tripled registration rates.
Actionable Insight: Marketers should prioritize personalized webinar experiences and invest in on-demand formats to maximize reach, engagement, and sales pipeline impact. | Read more
Apri 7 Update
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UK Entrepreneur Program Secures £10M to Expand Inclusivity
The UK’s Start Up Loans scheme has received a £10 million funding boost aimed at supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds. Since 2012, the initiative has issued over 105,000 loans, with nearly 40% going to women and 20% to ethnic minorities. The new investment will target early-stage founders lacking traditional financial access, especially in disadvantaged regions.
Actionable Insight: Business owners should explore government-backed loan programs that prioritize inclusivity, leveraging these to overcome early funding barriers. | Read more
Cambrian College Launches Innovation Hub to Fuel Student Ventures
Cambrian College has opened The CORE, a new entrepreneurial hub designed to support student-led startups and foster collaboration with local businesses. The space offers access to mentorship, prototyping tools, and networking opportunities, aiming to embed entrepreneurial thinking into academic life. It’s part of Cambrian’s push to grow Northern Ontario’s innovation ecosystem.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs and educators should invest in collaborative environments that merge education with real-world venture support to accelerate startup readiness. | Read more
Bolton Entrepreneur Champions Safer Products for Women and Homes
Samantha Marzocchi, founder of Soch, is redefining personal and home care with non-toxic, fragrance-free products tailored for women’s health and safety. Motivated by a lack of clean-label options, she developed plant-based formulas that are dermatologist-tested and eco-conscious. Her direct-to-consumer model and focus on transparency resonate with today’s values-driven shoppers.
Actionable Insight: Purpose-driven branding and clean ingredient transparency are key differentiators for consumer product startups targeting health-conscious audiences. | Read more
McMaster Showcases Student Innovation at ‘Made at Mac’ Event
McMaster University’s Made at Mac event highlighted its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, showcasing ventures in health tech, AI, and sustainable innovation. The university supports startups through funding, mentorship, and its The Clinic accelerator. Projects like wearable health monitors and AI-powered medical tools reflect a strong pipeline of student-led innovation.
Actionable Insight: Academic institutions are becoming launchpads for high-impact startups—entrepreneurs should tap into university accelerators for talent, R&D support, and early-stage funding. | Read more
Resignation Rocks Legal Group After Peace Advocate’s Speech Cancelled
Sheree Conlon resigned as incoming president of The Advocates’ Society (TAS) after it cancelled a keynote by Peace by Chocolate founder Tareq Hadhad due to his social media comments on Gaza. Conlon criticized TAS for abandoning its values under pressure and silencing a racialized voice. The move triggered public backlash, membership resignations, and renewed calls for leadership overhaul and policy reform.
Actionable Insight: Organizations must uphold principled leadership and equitable inclusion, especially under public pressure, to maintain credibility. | Read more
Canadian Entrepreneurs Push Ahead, Relying on Diverse Funding and Marketing Focus
Despite inflation and recession fears, Canadian entrepreneurs remain resilient—86% are financing their ventures with personal savings, loans, or other income sources, according to Ownr’s new survey. With nearly half operating solo, many lack long-term planning yet still prioritize customer acquisition and marketing over price hikes. Business owners with formal plans show significantly more optimism about growth prospects.
Actionable Insight: Strengthening marketing and drafting a formal business plan are key levers for stability and expansion in turbulent markets. | Read more
Steinbach Chamber Fuels Youth Innovation with Dragon’s Den-Style Challenge
The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is spotlighting youth entrepreneurship through its second annual Chamber Challenge, featuring 11 student-led ventures. Participants pitch ideas to local business leaders, vying for cash prizes and real-world exposure—including retail shelf space and expert consultations. With Canada facing a decline in entrepreneurship, the initiative aims to ignite early business ambition and community-driven economic growth.
Actionable Insight: Investing in youth-led startup competitions builds future business leaders while revitalizing local economies. | Read more
'Made in Canada' Surges in Search Popularity as Consumer Values Shift
“Made in Canada” has become one of the most searched terms in recent months, reflecting a growing consumer preference for locally produced goods. According to Search Engine People, this trend is driven by rising nationalism, trust in Canadian quality, and support for domestic businesses amid global instability. Businesses are responding by spotlighting origin in branding and SEO strategies.
Actionable Insight: Canadian entrepreneurs should leverage “Made in Canada” in content, product labeling, and digital marketing to boost visibility and consumer trust. | Read more
University of Waterloo Fuels Canada’s Innovation Economy Through Talent and IP Ownership
Ranked Canada’s top school for entrepreneurs, the University of Waterloo drives innovation with its co-op program, industry partnerships, and student-led IP ownership. Over 1,000 ventures have emerged from its ecosystem, supported by accelerators like Velocity and Conrad. Shopify’s CEO highlights Waterloo’s talent as a competitive edge in global tech. The model blends education with real-world application—yielding $2.3B in revenue and 7,500 jobs.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs should partner with institutions offering IP autonomy, co-op pipelines, and integrated startup support to scale faster. | Read more
Grande Prairie’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence Connects Local Innovators to Global Markets
The Side Family Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CEE) at Northwestern Polytechnic is transforming Grande Prairie into a startup hub by linking local businesses with global mentors, field-testing resources, and advanced tech like 3D scanning. With $6.4M in funding, CEE’s accelerator, mentorship via StartupWind, and AI symposium aim to help diverse ventures scale, export, and innovate.
Actionable Insight: Regional entrepreneurs should leverage localized innovation hubs for mentorship, real-world testing, and access to global networks. | Read more
Pizza Hut Canada and Startup Canada Launch $300K Grant Program for Entrepreneurs
Pizza Hut Canada has partnered with Startup Canada for a three-year initiative to support early-stage entrepreneurs through its Equal Slice Program. The collaboration will deliver $300,000 in grants, pitch competitions, and educational tools via Startup Canada's national tour. The initiative focuses on breaking systemic barriers and offering accessible funding and mentorship to help entrepreneurs grow in challenging economic times.
Actionable Insight: Founders should apply for Equal Slice pitch competitions and leverage Startup Canada’s upgraded tools to secure funding and strategic growth support. | Read more
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