Mars, a Toronto organization (company in some accounts) to promote entrepreneurship, that is publicly funded, is being closely examined from several quarters.
Recently, a heated discussion on Facebook, started by local startup luminary Daniel Debow showed that many question Mars's value.
Now, an article in the Toronto star quotes Mark McQueen, a local gadfly, as saying that their purported $3 billion economic impact in their first decade is hard to support. Back in May, the Star reported that the Ontario government could be on the hook for nearly $500 million to cover the cost of their phase 2 office tower, which is said to be nearly empty.
The startup scene in Toronto is growing rapidly, and no doubt Mars has played some role in that. It's time now for the city to look to more successful models to develop entrepreneurship, such as Chicago's 1871.
1871 is connected to four top universities, vs. Mars's one (University of Toronto). It's headed by a highly successful serial entrepreneur, Howard Tullman. He's an example of the kind of dynamic leadership Mars needs.
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