A Message For Our Communities

Written By Startup TNT Admin

Change is never easy, but it’s essential for growth. At Startup TNT, we are at a pivotal moment, reflecting on the journey that has brought us to where we are today. Over the past five years, we’ve celebrated remarkable milestones, forged strong communities, and supported countless startups. Yet, along the way, we’ve faced challenges, made mistakes, and learned hard lessons about what it takes to build an organization of this scale and ambition.

As we look to the future, we recognize that to truly achieve our mission of democratizing startup investing and catalyzing thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems, we need to adapt and revisit our approach. To build a stronger foundation for the future, we must streamline our operations. Unfortunately, this also means making the difficult decision to part ways with some exceptional team members who have played a pivotal role in shaping Startup TNT into the organization it is today.

Before the start of 2025, some of our team members will be leaving Startup TNT—not due to any shortcomings in their performance, but because we are changing our model. We take full responsibility for not yet building a sustainable operational structure that could support continued growth and keep these outstanding individuals as part of our team. They have been at the heart of our mission, driving growth, and championing startup ecosystems across the regions we serve. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, we have:

  • Delivered 12 Investment Summits in 2024, our highest number yet

  • Launched a new community in British Columbia

  • Raised a $3.5M VC Fund

  • Deployed a record $4.5M in Angel Capital into startups this year

These professionals represent the values we hold dear: collaboration, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference. While it’s tough to part ways, we know they will continue to make a positive impact wherever they go next. We want to thank them for being part of this journey with us.

We’re asking our communities to help us do what you do best: work with us to help these amazing people identify their next role in the startup ecosystem.

Moving Forward

These changes are part of a larger restructuring to set the foundation for long-term, global impact. Our vision remains the same: 100 cities deploying $100M per year into their own startup ecosystems. But achieving this requires even more shifts in how we operate and grow. So, here’s how we’re changing:

Firstly, in spring 2025, we’ll run four (4) Summits: Edmonton, Calgary, British Columbia, and Agri-Food. Secondly, instead of owning the launch of new communities, we’ll prioritize supporting, training, and mentoring local leaders to manage TNT chapters in their own regions. To that effect, Cleantech, Life Sciences, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are being restructured for future Summits, some as early as Fall 2025. In the meantime, we will continue to support our investors, founders, and partners in these regions as the community transitions to a new model. Lastly, we’re hiring a new leader to run our not-for-profit, ensuring the organization has the expertise and operational capacity to sustain its growth and achieve its global vision.

We know these changes may spark questions and ideas. As co-founders, we are here to listen and welcome conversations from our community, partners, and supporters. Your input is invaluable as we navigate this transition and continue building something extraordinary. Together, we will continue to have fun, make friends, and build companies.

Zack and Tim, Co-Founders

Startup TNT

Looking to speak with a local lead? Here’s who to connect with:

Startup TNT Admin
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Startup TNT is pausing operations in Manitoba