Ontario business

Reuters Video: Small Business

1. In the Boardroom: volatile startups need independent boards
   May 15 - Startups face unique pressures, from execs with skin in the game to investors pushing for quick returns. Board member & Reuters columnist, Lucy Marcus meets the founder of tech startup, PeerIndex.

   

   
2. Straw house passes trial by fire
   May 1 - An Australian environmentalist, designer and entrepreneur is catching the eye of policy-makers in his home country and around the world with his innovative straw-insulated house designs. Joost Bakker says his houses are affordable, sustainable and -- in a country plagued by bushfires -- fire resistant. Tara Cleary reports.

   

   
3. Maggots and abattoir blood could save the world
   April 15 - The idea of dining on roast chicken reared on blood-fed maggots may not sound too appetizing, but in South Africa one scientist and businessman believes that maggots represent the future for animal feed, if livestock is to be raised in a sustainable way. To demonstrate the idea's viability, David Drew has opened a maggot farm. Tara Cleary reports.

   

   
4. Small business owners with hope for economy
   April 12 - A study from Nationwide Financial shows African American small business owners acknowledge retirement is at "crisis levels" but are more hopeful about 2012 and more likely to enhance employee benefits. Miami-based entrepreneur Bensin Joseph and New York-based Robin Wilson weigh-in on the survey findings.

   

   
5. Small businesses, big stress
   April 10 - Small business owners -- a key jobs driver -- are more pessimistic about the economy, and are planning fewer new hires according to a new survey. Bobbi Rebell reports.

   

   
6. Demand for small businesses loans faltering: PayNet’s Phelan
   April 3 - William Phelan, President of PayNet says demand for small business loans is stumbling, adding this kind of stall isn't good for future GDP growth.

   

   
7. Angry Birds' ambitious trajectory
   March 21 - Little more than two years after launching its first Angry Birds game for the iPhone, Finnish mobile games maker Rovio is partnering with the world's biggest retailer Wal-Mart to sell merchandise and is planning themed activity parks in Britain. Matt Cowan reports.

   

   
8. Israeli device takes the thirst out of war zones
   March 6 - An Israeli startup has developed a portable device that generates large amounts of water from desert air. The company says the system will offer troops in conflict zones a cheap and safe way to stay hydrated. Rinat Harash reports.

   

   
9. Colombian butterfly business takes off
   Feb. 23 - A Colombian mother-and-daughter company raises butterflies to sell in the U.S. and Europe. Tara Cleary reports.

   

   
10. Small businesses preparing for future growth: Cullen/Frost
    Feb. 22 - Dick Evans, CEO of regional bank Cullen/Frost, says increasing loan commitments at small businesses suggest they are preparing for future growth in their businesses.