Building a Startup in New Brunswick Isn’t Easy, But I’m Still Showing

When people talk about Canada’s startup ecosystem, they usually mean Toronto, Vancouver, maybe Montreal. Out here in New Brunswick, it’s a different story.

As a newcomer with big ideas, I imagined Canada would have open doors everywhere for entrepreneurs — grants, investors, accelerators, networks. But the truth is, in this province, things move more slowly. Resources exist, but they’re fewer. Ecosystems are smaller. And if you don’t already have a network, it’s hard to get seen.

What makes it tougher? As an immigrant, I didn’t grow up here, go to school here, or have friends in high places. So building something from the ground up has meant learning as I go — pitching in rooms where I’m the only one with an accent, being overlooked, and pushing through doubts.

But here’s the thing: even in this quiet corner of Canada, people are building. I’ve found mentors through small business programs, connected with founders at local events, and seen sparks of change in communities that want to grow.

It’s not Silicon Valley — or even Toronto — but I believe there’s something powerful about building where it’s harder. Where your success makes a ripple. Where being different is your edge.

So if you're in New Brunswick and feeling like you're the only one dreaming big, you're not alone. It’s tough. But it’s not impossible.