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A significant number of Canadians have started or are considering starting their own business in 2024: RBC Poll

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51% of Canadians are aspiring entrepreneurs – up five percentage points over 2023More Canadian small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs cite meaningful work (93%) over making more money (87%) as a motivation for owning their own business.

TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2024 /CNW/ – The annual RBC Small Business Poll reveals that the proportion of Canadians considering starting their own business rose to 51% this year, marking a five percentage point increase from 2023 – and an encouraging rebound following a previous two-year decline.

“Historically, we’ve observed strong interest across Canada in starting and owning businesses, and it’s promising to see that a significant number of Canadians in 2024 are aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Don Ludlow, vice president of Small Business, Partnerships and Strategy, Royal Bank of Canada. “As our economy evolves, we are seeing a growing number of Canadians seriously considering entrepreneurship as they recognize there are more diverse pathways than before to make the jump. Our survey shows that many are eying opportunities to gradually transition to entrepreneurship, and they need continued support to turn their ideas into reality and to build the next generation of businesses.”

According to the RBC Poll, most (72%) aspiring entrepreneurs are already exploring different tracks to gradually transition to business ownership, including:

Current Pursuits of Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Finding ways to make money from a passion project or hobby

31 %

Exploring ways to make money outside of, and in addition to my regular job,
but have not yet started

28 %

Taking on side jobs in addition to having a full-time job to earn extra cash
when needed

19 %

Exploring ways to transition from full-time work to contract or freelance work,
but have not made the transition yet

13 %

Having a business idea that’s being tested independent from current
employment

8 %

Purpose over profit: the search for meaningful work driving small business aspirations

Findings from the RBC poll also revealed that, in recent years, Canadians have placed more emphasis on pursuing their passions, particularly as traditional job security weakens and many are prioritizing flexibility in their work-life balance.

Compared to 2019, Canadians are less likely to say ‘making more money’ is a motivation for owning their own business, with this number falling three percentage points from 90% to 87%. Rather, small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs cited meaningful work (93%) over making more money (87%) as their main motivation.

The poll highlights that a substantial proportion of small business owners launched their ventures to achieve more flexibility, with 46% stating they wanted to spend more time at home with their children, and 40% aiming to care for aging parents. Aspiring entrepreneurs reported similar motivations, with Gen Z and Millennials particularly interested in the greater autonomy and sense of purpose offered by entrepreneurship.

Key Motivations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Gen Pop

Gen Z

Millennial

Gen X

Boomer

Strongly
agree

Strongly/
somewhat
agree

Strongly
agree

Strongly/
somewhat
agree

Strongly
agree

Strongly/
somewhat
agree

Strongly
agree

Strongly/
somewhat
agree

Strongly
agree

Strongly/
somewhat
agree

Do more meaningful work
that aligns with my personal
values

44 %

93 %

60 %

94 %

46 %

95 %

40 %

92 %

29 %

92 %

Make more money

43 %

89 %

56 %

88 %

45 %

91 %

45 %

91 %

23 %

91 %

Helping entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow their business

There are many facets to successfully starting, managing and growing a small business, beyond financial planning. As an organization deeply rooted in supporting and empowering small businesses, RBC has made it easier for Canadian entrepreneurs to navigate every stage of their business growth with unique solutions that go beyond traditional banking products and advice. Solutions offered by RBC and its collaborative partners include:

Ownr®: For entrepreneurs in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, this is a quick and affordable way to register and incorporate their business online, while automating important legal and compliance filings. 

Moneris‡: Whether you’re in-store, online, or both, Moneris has you covered with a full suite of unified payment solutions, 24/7 support, and on-site field services. As an RBC merchant, you can get access to your money the next day, every day at no extra cost. 

RBC Insight Edge™ for Small Business: A dashboard solution that offers subscribed retail businesses with real-time data insights around customer trends, competitive benchmarks and market intelligence to support business decisions.

Xero‡: Xero offers online accounting software that helps RBC clients run their small business, with features like invoicing, bill payments, payroll, and bank reconciliation. To make accounting even easier, business owners can sync Xero with their bank, automate tasks, collaborate in real time, and connect it to other apps they use.

Futurpreneur‡: For entrepreneurs aged 18-39 who want access to business resources, financing and mentoring. Futurpreneur Canada supports young entrepreneurs with an expert business mentor for up to two years and resources to help plan, launch, manage and grow their business. 

Sherweb‡: A leader in cloud solutions and part of the RBC Go Digital™ program, Sherweb offers RBC business clients exclusive advice and solutions to support their adoption of cloud-based innovations and technologies to improve productivity, security and digital transformation. 

The Founder’s Journey Online Course: This free virtual course − offered by Western University’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, RBC Future Launch® and The Globe and Mail‡, guides participants through the journey of successfully starting and growing a new venture.

Entrepreneurs can access these, and many other solutions and business advice online through at www.rbc.com/startingabusiness.

About the survey

The RBC Small Business Poll was conducted by Ipsos Canada from June 21 to 25 2024. A total of 2001 surveys were self-completed online by Canadian adults (Age 18+), represented in six different regions (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada). Representative sample results are weighted to reflect the Canadian population. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±3 percentage points had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population represented. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to, coverage error, and measurement error.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 100,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

SOURCE RBC Royal Bank

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Marvion Inc. Subsidiary Signs Agreement with Engineering Firm for Construction of New State-of-the-Art Warehouse Facility

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HONG KONG, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Marvion Inc. (OTC: MVNC) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary United Warehouse Management Limited has officially signed a quotation agreement with Star Warehouse Engineering Limited for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art warehouse facility. The new warehouse will be strategically located to support the company’s growing logistics and storage operations, underscoring MVNC’s commitment to scaling up its infrastructure to meet the increasing market demand.

The new warehouse will feature two floors, each spanning 18,000 square feet, for a total floor area of 36,000 square feet. This expansion is set to enhance MVNC’s storage capabilities, streamline supply chain efficiency, and optimize logistics operations to better serve its expanding customer base.

Strategic Infrastructure Investment to Drive Long-Term Growth

This significant investment marks a crucial step in MVNC’s long-term strategic plan to solidify its position as a leader in the logistics and storage services sector. The new warehouse will not only bolster the company’s existing storage capacity but also enable the integration of advanced logistics and storage technologies. The facility will be equipped with modern automated systems with artificial intelligence engine to support high-volume inventory management and faster turnaround times, further strengthening MVNC’s competitive advantage in the region.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Chan Sze Yu, CEO of Marvion Inc., said:
“This new warehouse is a testament to our commitment to expanding our infrastructure to meet the ever-growing demand in the logistics industry. By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we are positioning Marvion to better serve our clients and seize emerging opportunities in the market. This project will not only enhance our operational efficiency but also increase our capacity to support strategic partners like FedEx, SF Express, and other key clients.”

Supporting Sustainable Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region

Aligned with MVNC’s sustainability goals, the new facility will incorporate environmentally friendly design elements, such as energy-efficient lighting systems and optimized insulation to reduce energy consumption. These initiatives underscore MVNC’s dedication to promoting sustainable business practices while driving growth.

The construction is scheduled to begin in Q4 2024, with completion expected by the end Q2 2025. The new facility is projected to generate significant operational synergies, contributing to the company’s continued revenue growth and profitability.

About Marvion Inc.

Marvion Inc. (OTC: MVNC) is a leading logistics and warehousing solutions provider based in Hong Kong. The company specializes in offering one-stop transport and storage services to business clients, leveraging advanced digital technologies and efficient inventory management systems.

Company Website: www.unitedksk.com

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SOURCE Marvion Inc.

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American Liver Foundation Hosts the 33rd Annual Irwin M. Arias Symposium

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Virtual and in-person event, Bridging Basic Science and Liver Disease, brings together hundreds of leading biomedical scientists and physicians from across the globe 

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — American Liver Foundation is excited to host its 33rd annual Irwin M. Arias Symposium, Bridging Basic Science and Liver Disease, on Wednesday, November 20th from 9AM to 5PM ET. Hundreds of leading biomedical scientists and physicians around the world will come together for this prestigious hybrid, in-person and virtual, one-day event. Each presentation highlights remarkable scientific advances in basic biology and engineering while also providing cutting edge research for a better understanding of liver diseases and the best treatment options available today.

Bridging Basic Science & Liver Disease brings together leading biomedical scientists and physicians from across globe

This informative symposium features 10 unique plenary talks from renowned researchers such as Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and physician-geneticist Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, who led the Human Genome Project and discovered the genes causing several genetic diseases. He also served under three Presidents as the Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world. He is currently leading a bold effort to eradicate Hepatitis C throughout the United States. Anne Carpenter, PhD, is the Senior Director of the Imaging Platform and an Institute Scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She was included on the Top 100 list of AI leaders for her team’s open-source CellProfiler software that is used by thousands of biologists worldwide and their Cell Painting assay that has been adopted throughout the pharma industry to accelerate drug discoveries. There will also be a collection of three-minute ‘MicroTalks’ delivered by trainee scientists.

“This unique one-day annual symposium is a must-attend event for scientists interested in exploring innovative, groundbreaking research conducted in labs and the therapeutic treatments eventually delivered in clinics across the country,” said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO, American Liver Foundation. “Over the past 33 years, research presented at this event has led to many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of virtually all liver diseases in children and adults. Dr. Irwin M. Arias, recognized throughout the world, has devoted his life’s work to advancing liver disease research, treatments and cures and we’re so grateful for his expertise. Liver patients everywhere have benefited from his preeminent work.”

Symposium co-chairs include Sangeeta Bhatia, MD, PhD, John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Institute of Medical Engineering and Science Department at MIT, and Wolfram Goessling, MD, PhD, Chief of Gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Director of the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences & Technology at Harvard Medical School and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The overall programming has been designed to honor Dr. Arias’ founding commitment to ‘bridging’ the gap between the academic, industrial, and clinical research communities – even across disciplines.

“The burden of chronic liver diseases affects over 100 million people in the United States alone and is rapidly becoming a public health crisis,” said Dr. Goessling, Chief of Gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Unfortunately, we currently lack effective tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment for many liver conditions, so it’s vitally important to connect basic science research with the ongoing needs prevalent in many clinics and the Arias Symposium provides this opportunity.”

“Significant gaps remain in the understanding of many liver diseases and the fundamental systems involved in normal and pathological liver function,” said Dr. Bhatia, John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor at MIT’s Institute of Medical Engineering and Science Department. “This scientific conference bridges basic science and liver disease while also nurturing successful careers in basic and translational liver research. The Arias Symposium allows us all to come together to share our research, encourage new trainees to learn more about liver disease and offers everyone one-day to learn what’s new and engaging in the world of liver research and science.”

The symposium is open to researchers at every stage of their careers, and they are encouraged to share perspectives from their academic, industrial, and clinical research settings. In-person attendees will benefit from a poster session and networking opportunities with plenary speakers and other attendees. Breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception will also be provided to in-person attendees. Registration is free for all trainees (postdocs, fellows, grads, students, undergrads, etc.). Registration is $50 for in-person attendees other than trainees. Virtual attendance is free but does require registration. Register here for this informative event.

This one-day virtual program will include topics such as:  

It’s Time to Eliminate Hepatitis C in the U.S. Francis Collins, MD, PhD – National Institutes of Health (VIRTUAL)Post-Transplant Alloimmune Hepatitis – What do we know and What’s New Udeme Ekong, MD, MPH, FAASLD – Georgetown University Detecting Liver Phenotypes and Toxicity Using Cell Image Data Anne Carpenter, PhD – Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardSpatial Clonal Tracing in Solid Tissues Fernando Camargo, PhD – Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyHolistic Multi-Scale Molecular Imaging of Human Organs Kwanghun Chung, PhD – Boston Children’s HospitalCell Identity Conversion – Liver Regeneration and Cell Therapy Lijian Hui, PhD – Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesDeveloping Cirrhosis Therapies: The Three Grand Challenges Quin Wills, MD, PhD – Ochre BioPediatric Liver Tumors: Clinical Context and Opportunities for Collaboration Allison O’Neill, MD – Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteUnderstanding How the Organism Monitors Liver Sufficiency to Properly Time RegenerationKristin Knouse, MD, PhD – Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCellular and Molecular Drivers of Liver Cancer Response to ImmunotherapyMiriam Merad, MD, PhD – Mount Sinai School of Medicine

For the full agenda, list of speakers, and registration, please visit alfevents.org/ariassymposium.  

In addition to the Arias Symposium, American Liver Foundation offers a research awards program in three categories, Liver Scholar Award, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award, and Pilot Research Awards that recently funded eight highly innovative projects into these rare diseases – PSC, AIH and BA. Since 1979, ALF’s research awards program has provided more than $28 million in research funding. Over 850 qualified scientists and physicians have pursued research careers in liver biology, disease and treatment because they received these grants early in their careers. Learn more at liverfoundation.org/research.

About the American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for patients and families, fund medical research and educate the public about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people together through our educational programs and events and create a network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice for patients and families living with liver disease. For more information visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1 800 GO LIVER (800-465-4837).

Media Contacts:                   
Julie Kimbrough
JKimbrough@liverfoundation.org              
Direct dial: 646-737-9409   
Karla Thomas     
Direct dial: 773.575.9477        

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SOURCE American Liver Foundation

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Avantor® Opens New Bridgewater Innovation Center Focused on Solving Life Science’s Biggest Challenges

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RADNOR, Pa., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technology industries, today announced the opening of its new flagship Bridgewater Innovation Center. The state-of-the-art research and development facility, located in Bridgewater, NJ, is part of Avantor’s network of 13 research and innovation centers across the globe.

Avantor’s new Bridgewater Innovation Center spans 60,000 square feet, doubling its previous laboratory and pilot plant capacity. Purpose-designed for collaborative work, the center houses spaces for upstream and downstream process development, dedicated analytical testing labs, and a viral vector laboratory. An expanded pilot plant supports scale-up simulations, enabling rapid customization across the entire bioprocessing workflow.

“Our new Bridgewater Innovation Center is twice the size of our previous facility and adds capacity, talent and capabilities to support the growing demands for monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapy and mRNA workflows,” said Michael Stubblefield, President and CEO of Avantor. “Working side-by-side with customers in our network of innovation centers across the globe enables us to power science at every step to deliver life-changing therapies faster, and more cost effectively.”

The Bridgewater Innovation Center allows Avantor to optimize and accelerate biomanufacturing processes at scale; resulting in faster problem solving, streamlined knowledge exchange, and strategic co-innovation. Staffed with Ph.D. scientists, bioengineers, biologists, and process engineers, this center enhances both capacity and expertise to support customers’ needs. The facility also supports Avantor’s sustainability goals, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

For more information about the Bridgewater Innovation Center, visit: https://www.avantorsciences.com/us/en/about/innovation-in-biopharma/avantor-bridgewater-innovation-center

About Avantor
Avantor® is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedInX (Twitter) and Facebook.

Global Media Contact
Eric Van Zanten
Head of External Communications
Avantor
610-529-6219
Eric.VanZanten@avantorsciences.com

Investor Relations Contact
Christina Jones
Vice President, Investor Relations
Avantor
805-617-5297
Christina.Jones@avantorsciences.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avantor-opens-new-bridgewater-innovation-center-focused-on-solving-life-sciences-biggest-challenges-302304526.html

SOURCE Avantor and Financial News

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