A Familiar Face Steps into a New Role
Ottawa's innovation community is welcoming a well-known entrepreneur into a new position this week. Shannon Ferguson, the co-founder and CEO of sports and entertainment discount platform FanSaves, has joined Invest Ottawa as senior manager of early-stage programs.
Ferguson announced the move on LinkedIn, signalling a shift from her decade-long journey building FanSaves into a recognized name in the Canadian tech landscape. The role puts her at the front lines of nurturing Ottawa's next wave of startups — a fitting transition for someone who has lived the founder experience firsthand.
From Founder to Ecosystem Builder
Ferguson co-founded FanSaves alongside her partner Kirk Armstrong, growing the platform into a tool used by professional sports teams and entertainment venues across North America to deliver exclusive fan discounts. Having built a company from the ground up in Ottawa, she brings a perspective that few ecosystem managers can match: she knows exactly what early-stage founders need, because she's been one.
At Invest Ottawa, she'll be working directly with entrepreneurs navigating the earliest and often most uncertain stages of their startup journeys — ideation, validation, and early fundraising. It's a role that calls for someone who can translate lived startup experience into practical, actionable support, and Ferguson's background makes her a natural fit.
Invest Ottawa, the city's primary economic development organization for the tech and innovation sector, has long been a cornerstone of the local startup ecosystem. Through programs like Accelerator, Starter Company Plus, and various mentorship initiatives, the organization has helped launch and scale hundreds of Ottawa companies. Adding a founder of Ferguson's calibre to the team strengthens that offering considerably.
Brett Merriman Moves to Dominion Dynamics
Also making waves in Ottawa's business community this week is Brett Merriman, who is moving to Dominion Dynamics. While details on his new role were not specified in the announcement, the move signals continued executive-level activity in the region's business sector.
These back-to-back announcements reflect a broader pattern in Ottawa's tech and business ecosystem: experienced professionals cycling from company-building roles into positions where they can shape the next generation of local industry. Whether it's joining an accelerator, pivoting to a new venture, or stepping into an established firm, Ottawa's talent base continues to evolve and deepen.
What This Means for Ottawa Startups
For founders currently working their way through the early stages of building a company in Ottawa, Ferguson's appointment is a genuine reason for optimism. Having a senior manager who has personally navigated the highs and lows of building a tech startup — from concept to revenue — means the advice and support on offer at Invest Ottawa's early-stage programs will be grounded in real experience, not just theory.
Ottawa's startup scene has grown significantly over the past decade, with Kanata North cementing its status as one of Canada's most important tech hubs. Initiatives like those run by Invest Ottawa are a key part of what makes the ecosystem function, connecting founders with mentors, investors, and resources at the moments they need them most.
Ferguson's move is a reminder that some of the most valuable contributions to a startup ecosystem come not just from building companies, but from choosing to invest time and expertise back into the community that helped you grow.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
