The Role of Starbucks in Innovation

By Roger Voyer

I have been drinking a lot of coffee lately. When I call a high-tech start-up headquartered in a basement somewhere in Ottawa’s west end, I invariably get asked to meet at Starbucks at the Pinecrest Mall, which is conveniently located about half way between the west end high-tech community and the downtown venture capitalists, brokers, lawyers and other supporting players.