in Krakow: "It's a good place with a good atmosphere that drives creativity, and there are at least two very good technical universities."

A base for Eastern Europe

While the southern Polish city may be hip, Probola knows all too well that the city alone probably won't deliver all the startups hub:raum needs. The Krakow branch will serve as a central location for the whole region east of Germany. "We are hoping Krakow can attract startups from this region of Europe," Probola says. "So that would include the Czech Repubic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and further south."

Reaching the scattered startups in the area is a question of attending events and building up a mentor network. "We will also use our network of local operators," Probola says, adding that for nowathletes and Games officials move around the gridlocked city. Interest, especially inside Toronto, has been difficult to detect.

A similar story unfolded around the Games four years ago in Guadalajara, with concerns over cost overruns dominating discussion before the athletes arrived. As interest swelled, long lines snaked outside a temporary box office in the city.

It remains to be seen whether the pattern will repeat in Toronto.

Vansen said some of the larger venues will be the most difficult to fill, especially for the preliminary matches. The new stadium in Hamilton — the new home for the Tiger-Cats — will feature plenty of empty seats for early-round soccer games not featuring Canada.