Presentation Title:
Building a Rural Tech Hub: From Idea to Impact
Description:
In this practical, no-fluff session, Gordon More shares how to design, launch, and scale a rural tech hub that actually works in a small community.
Drawing from his experience building a rural innovation ecosystem focused on energy, entrepreneurship, and applied research, Gordon walks through the real steps—governance, partnerships, funding strategy, stakeholder alignment, and political navigation. This is not theory. It’s what happens when you try to build innovation capacity outside of major urban centers.
Participants will learn:
- How to define a clear mission that aligns with local industry (energy, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, etc.)
- How to structure governance and avoid turf wars
- How to secure anchor partners (municipalities, Indigenous governments, utilities, colleges, industry)
- Why project-based funding is both a blessing and a trap
- How to attract startups and external companies to rural regions
- How to position your hub within provincial and federal policy frameworks
- How to build credibility before you have major wins
- The difference between an incubator, an innovation centre, and a community economic development office
This session is designed for economic development officers, municipal leaders, college administrators, entrepreneurs, and community champions who are tired of waiting for outside investment and want to build their own innovation engine.
If your community wants to compete in energy transition, critical minerals, advanced agriculture, AI, or clean tech—this is your blueprint.
