As the upcoming Rural Founders in Tech Pitch Competition in Red Deer on October 17 approaches, we spotlight Mitchell Eaton, an entrepreneur whose journey highlights the ingenuity, determination, and adaptability needed to succeed in the tech industry. From growing up on a farm to creating and selling a tech company, Eaton’s story offers insight and inspiration for founders preparing to make their mark.
Interested in applying for the Rural Founders in Tech Pitch Competition? There’s still time. Follow the link to get more information on the event and access to the application form.
For Mitchell Eaton, life began on the quiet farmland of Lacombe, Alberta, where he was raised on an acreage surrounded by the hands-on mechanics of farm life. He spent summers working with his grandparents on their farm in Saskatchewan, and it was through these early experiences that his passion for mechanical systems was born. From building go-karts and minibikes with his father, Eaton’s fascination with how things worked led him to pursue a career in engineering.
This early foundation paved the way for Eaton to enroll at Red Deer College and later transfer to the University of Alberta, where he graduated in 2014 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While studying, Eaton developed expertise in CAD (computer-aided design), which would later be integral to his career and entrepreneurial ventures.
After graduation, Eaton worked as a design and manufacturing engineer for various companies around Central Alberta. It was during this time that he noticed a significant inefficiency in the quoting process for custom-manufactured parts. He realized the traditional method of obtaining quotes was slow, manual, and cumbersome, often involving purchasing managers sending out multiple inquiries and waiting weeks for responses.
This gap in the market sparked the idea for Prototype Hubs, a company that automates the quoting process for manufacturers using AI and machine learning. By allowing clients to upload CAD files and receive instantaneous quotes, Eaton’s solution drastically cut down the time and labor typically associated with manual quoting. Seeing the potential, he quit his job in late 2018 to focus on building the company, which officially launched in mid-2019.
“Creating a company of value where someone saw enough potential to take it over was always the goal,” Eaton says of his entrepreneurial journey. This goal was realized in June 2024, when he successfully sold Prototype Hubs to the U.S.-based company Prototek Digital Manufacturing.
Being a rural entrepreneur presents its own unique set of challenges, as Eaton discovered early on. Unlike tech hubs such as San Francisco, rural founders often face the obstacle of smaller networks and fewer opportunities to connect with investors and venture capitalists.
“When you’re in a place like Red Deer, which is still relatively rural compared to Calgary or Edmonton, your network is much smaller,” Eaton reflects. “Back in 2018, Edmonton was just starting to build its tech ecosystem, and there weren’t many events or organizations to support tech founders.”
Despite these challenges, Eaton was able to tap into Startup Edmonton and other local resources to expand his network. Programs like these were crucial in helping him connect with other entrepreneurs and potential investors, which ultimately allowed him to grow his business.
Eaton emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand for rural founders who want to gain exposure and build relationships in the tech community. While initially an introvert, Eaton learned the value of using platforms like LinkedIn to establish himself as a thought leader in digital manufacturing.
“Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, especially for someone like me who’s more introverted, but it’s essential,” he explains. “I’ve had to learn how to put myself out there, not just for the company, but for my personal brand as well.”
His efforts paid off. Two years after establishing Prototype Hubs, Eaton reached out to a contact he had met through networking, which led to the eventual sale of his company. This experience underscores his advice to rural founders: make connections, leverage digital tools, and take every opportunity to grow your network, no matter how small it might seem at first.
For Eaton, the sale of Prototype Hubs in June 2024 was the culmination of years of hard work, risk, and persistence. He hadn’t always envisioned selling the company, but he knew that building something of value would create opportunities, whether that meant going public or being acquired.
“When we sold the company, it wasn’t just about the financial outcome,” Eaton says. “It was about knowing that we had created something valuable enough for another company to want to take it to the next level. That was the true measure of success for me.”
His role didn’t end with the sale. Eaton now serves as Director of Product at Prototek, where he oversees the integration of the Prototype Hubs software into the larger company.
For rural entrepreneurs just starting out, Eaton’s advice is simple: leverage every tool at your disposal. Whether through LinkedIn or attending local events like the Rural Founders in Tech Pitch Competition, rural founders need to make their presence known and actively seek opportunities for growth.
He also believes rural founders have an inherent advantage in certain industries, particularly agricultural technology (AgTech). “There’s a lot of innovation happening in AgTech, and having grown up around farming, I think rural founders have a unique understanding of their audience,” Eaton says.
Events like the Rural Founders in Tech Pitch Competition provide an opportunity for rural entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and connect with a broader network. As a past participant in similar events, Eaton knows firsthand the value these connections can bring to rural founders looking to scale their businesses.
Mitchell Eaton’s journey from a small-town farm in Alberta to a successful tech entrepreneur is a testament to the power of resilience, networking, and innovation. His story offers valuable lessons for rural founders who may face unique challenges but also have unique strengths. As Eaton continues to grow in his career, his experience will no doubt inspire the next generation of rural entrepreneurs who will be competing at the Rural Founders in Tech Pitch Competition on October 17 in Red Deer.
Join Us for a Fireside Chat with Mitchell Eaton on October 1 at the Social Innovation Hub!
Don’t miss this opportunity on as Mitchell will share his entrepreneurial journey, from overcoming the unique challenges of building a tech business in a rural community to navigating a successful acquisition.
This event will highlight the successes of rural founders and underscore the critical role of supporting rural innovation in Alberta’s economy. By sharing stories like Mitchell’s, we hope to inspire more support and investment in rural entrepreneurship. Stick around for a light lunch and networking after the presentation!