Spero Careers Canada becomes the 15th company to join the TechPlace LaunchPad Program
Photo from left to right: Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development; Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington; Elizabeth Plouffe, Founder of Spero Careers Canada, Mark Steffler, Manager, Innovation and Partnerships of TechPlace
Burlington, ON, November 5, 2019 – Spero Careers Canada becomes the 15th company to join the TechPlace LaunchPad Program
Spero Careers Canada has joined the LaunchPad Program at TechPlace. Founded in Burlington in 2018, Spero Careers Canada’s mission is to remove barriers to employment and skill building by connecting youth and adults on the autism spectrum to NANAWorks. NANAWorks, will help to eliminate the current barriers for employment success and reduce the current 85% unemployment rate within the autism community through access to employment coaches and job skill building tools and networking with employers.
Elizabeth Plouffe, Founder of Spero Careers Canada, is excited to take residency in the LaunchPad program. She shares that, “TechPlace will allow us to fulfill our goal of co-designing the NANAWorks platform with the autism community ensuring that we’re creating an autism “approved” platform. TechPlace will make it easier for us to tap into vital resources, such as Haltech and Angel One, while also providing us space to validate our training programs and tools through hosting workshops and beta-testing events.”
Burlington Economic Development is thrilled to welcome Spero Careers Canada to TechPlace. “Through the LaunchPad program, Spero Careers Canada will be able to leverage vital resources that will support their growth,” explained Acting Executive Director Anita Cassidy. “Being close to Haltech will give them the opportunity to tap into their mentorship program, targeted workshops and resources. This, together with the energy and peer-to-peer learning opportunities will help Spero Careers Canada tap into a new community for support and strategic guidance.”
“Spero Careers Canada’s choice to stay and grow in Burlington demonstrates our value to growth-oriented companies,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. “Burlington is a great place for businesses of all sizes with resources available for companies of all sizes and at any stage of growth.”
Growing technology companies interested in joining the LaunchPad program at TechPlace are encouraged to learn more about eligibility requirements and apply online. Visit http://techplace.ca/launchpads/ to learn more.
About Spero Careers Canada
Spero Careers Canada was founded in Burlington by Elizabeth Plouffe. The idea for NANAWorks developed after she discovered that people on the autism spectrum were limited in accessing employment coaching resources. The NANAWorks platform has been designed specifically for people on the autism spectrum. However, anyone can use NANAWorks to take advantage of the trainings and tools to improve interview skills, practice soft skills and access employment coaching.
About TechPlace
TechPlace is a one-stop destination for new and growing technology companies. With the support of partners from across the public and private sectors, it is dedicated to connecting, developing, and advancing entrepreneurs at all stages. This means providing access to space, programming, mentorship, networking, and resources that are fundamental to growing a business in today’s technology-driven marketplace. Led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace exists to help technology, talent and ideas come together under one roof to create and promote opportunities for economic growth.
About Burlington Economic Development
Burlington Economic Development has a mandate to enhance the growth prospects of existing companies and bring new high-value firms to the community. Burlington Economic Development’s focus is on growing the economic base to sustain Burlington’s competitive and prosperous community. Burlington Economic Development is the first point of contact for companies looking to expand, start-up or locate in Burlington.
Photo: Elizabeth Plouffe, Founder of Spero Careers Canada shares how and why she started the company to Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.