ventureLAB, in partnership with York Region, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund, dedicated to supporting organizations that encourage innovation and cultivate diversity.
Startups & Innovation
Convertus breaks ground on East Gwillimbury biofuel plant
The East Gwillimbury project, set to open in 2027, will process organic waste via anaerobic digestion into biogas, and later, renewable natural gas. The RNG will offset fossil natural gas in local pipelines.
York Region breaks ground on $490M biofuel facility
York Region officials broke ground on a new $490-million biofuel facility in East Gwillimbury expected to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 tonnes annually.
Forging Connections and Driving Growth: A Recap of the 2024 MedTech Conference
The MedTech Conference in Toronto has come to an end and it was an exciting time and valuable experience! The 3-day event, which was leveraged to highlight the strength of York Region’s growing life sciences and health tech sector, was filled with insightful panels, engaging discussions, and dynamic networking sessions.
Ontario Investing in free business training for racialized and indigenous entrepreneurs
The Ontario government is investing $5 million in the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) program for 2024-25 to provide free access to business coaching, training and grants for more than 400 Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs.
Vaughan-based Volatus has the tech to deliver goods by drone
Volatus — which now has 150 employees — has embarked on its most ambitious transaction yet. Earlier this year, it announced a merger with Drone Delivery Canada Corp.
ventureLAB and Sterling Industries sign MOU to strengthen medtech innovation in Vaughan
ventureLAB, leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada located in York Region, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sterling Industries, a premier North American medical device contract manufacturer. This partnership highlights their shared commitment to accelerating the growth of the MedTech ecosystem in Vaughan.
York Region named one of ‘Canada’s Best Locations’ to invest by Site Selection Magazine
York Region is a top destination for business, innovation and talent and investing in business supports and services is integral to ensuring businesses and employees in York Region contribute to a strong economy.
YSpace launches ELLA Incubator in partnership with York Region
The ELLA Incubator program is part of YSpace’s broader Project JumpSTART initiative, which focuses on driving economic development and innovation within York Region. The collaborative effort brings together YSpace, the Schulich School of Business’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Treefrog Accelerator and York Region to foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.
Discover the top 5 reasons to join the Canadian delegation at the world’s largest industrial trade fair
Calling all York Region Manufacturers, Suppliers and Tech/Automation Providers! In April 2025, Canada will proudly headline Hannover Messe, the world’s largest showcase of advanced manufacturing and energy solutions. Discover the advantages of participating as an exhibitor and sign up now!
How ventureLAB is helping a Brazilian medical device startup build credibility in the Canadian market
“Many people ask me: why Canada instead of the US? And my answer to them is: why not Canada?” he said. “We could see not only how powerful Canada is, but also how reliable the Canadian ecosystem is.”
HardTech Fest: ventureLAB’s Premier Event at Startup Fest
ventureLAB is proud to sponsor the inaugural HardTech Fest, Garage & Co’s premier event at Startup Fest’s, taking place on July 10, 2024, in Montreal. In partnership with The City of Markham and York Region, HardTech Fest serves as a premier gathering for leaders and innovators in the Canadian tech ecosystem, offering a unique platform for exploring new opportunities in the HardTech industry.
Canadian health-care tech gets a shot in the arm; featuring Aurora-based Skinopathy
While it’s typically Canadian to not toot our own horn, the country is packed with health-care companies — big and small — with smart solutions to help us live healthier lives. By leveraging technology, including AI, we’re able to better access (and understand) our medical scans, keep a digital eye on our aging loved ones living alone at home, use our smartphone’s camera to detect skin cancer and access trustworthy medical videos rather than Googling symptoms across random sites (and panicking at the misdiagnosis).
How ventureLAB is helping a Chilean quantum tech startup break into the Canadian market
Being geographically closer to these companies prompted qSquire’s interest in Canada, but they still needed to get a foot in the door. This is what led them to ventureLAB’s Soft Landing program.
Ontario supports the development of smarter, more sustainable transportation technologies with $1.5M in funding to York Region innovation partner York University through OVIN
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), with support from the Ontario Government, announced $1.5 million in funding to York University and in partnership with Centennial College to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in developing and testing innovative automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions.
York Region provides ventureLAB with $1 million in funding
York Regional Council has reaffirmed its commitment to economic development, innovation and talent across York Region through a $1 million funding agreement with ventureLAB, the Region’s innovation centre.
Popular Toronto destination becoming test hub for tiny three-wheeled cars built in York Region
Exhibition Place’s sprawling 192-acre site has been selected as the perfect real-world testing ground for the new three-wheeled electric commuter cars, described by SARIT as an “affordable” means of travel that could be used to “ease traffic congestion and solve parking problems” in Toronto.
Province investing $150,000 for the YSpace Northern York Region Hub
The YSpace Northern York Region Hub is a partnership between The Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury and York University’s YSpace.
How VCycene creates a cleaner, healthier future for Canadians
Learn how Vcycene, one of ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative companies, is addressing Canada’s significant food waste issue with their innovative cleantech solution.
It’s official, ventureLAB is a Great Place to Work® for the fourth year in a row
ventureLAB is proud to announce that we have been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the Fourth Year in a Row.
Government of Canada supporting Richmond Hill headquartered Acentury in developing semiconductor technologies for wireless communications
“Acentury is a home-grown Canadian technology company dedicated to the acceleration of research and development for terrestrial and space-based wireless communication systems. Through this funding and project, Acentury will expand its SynMatrix RF filter design platform into the semiconductor industry, which will increase coverage to new RF filter technologies and structures, and position the product for global marketplace adoption.”
Semiconductor innovation with Canada Catalyst company, Caliber Interconnects
Learn How Caliber Interconnects, one of ventureLAB’s Canada Catalyst companies, evolved into a powerhouse specializing in semiconductor test services and clean energy solutions.
Meet Yihong Qi: Markham-based Pontosense’s CTO and Co-Founder
Pontosense is changing how we monitor ourselves by replacing bulky wearable devices with artificial intelligence and advanced sensors. This change in how biometric data is collected and analyzed may seem like something out of science fiction.
York Region thrives as business hub where talent and opportunity intersect
“Identifying challenges in the business community and taking action to overcome them is the backbone of the 2024 to 2027 Economic Development Action Plan,” said City of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, Chair of the Region’s Planning and Economic Development. “The 2024 to 2027 Action Plan builds on important work already underway to complement our partners’ efforts and drive economic prosperity together.”
Richmond Hill offering free sessions for women entrepreneurs
Small Business Enterprise Centre offering webinars, in-person events March 4 to 8 for women starting, running businesses to mark International Women’s Day.
Revolutionizing breast health screening with Canada Catalyst Company, Linda Lifetech
ventureLAB is proud to proud to shine the spotlight on a Canada Catalyst company, Linda Lifetech, a company that’s transforming breast health screening with cutting-edge technology.
Shaping Tomorrow: ventureLAB Unveils Innovative TechEdge Program
ventureLAB is thrilled to unveil the TechEdge program that propels startups by equipping them with the resources, insights and networks.
More than $1 million in funding approved to support women entrepreneurs and attract international businesses to York Region
“Economic vitality remains a strategic priority for York Regional Council and it is integral our local businesses have resources to help them succeed,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Additional funding provided through York Region’s Innovation Fund will empower growing businesses, attract international entrepreneurs and support foreign direct investment, strengthening York Region as a thriving hub for talent and opportunity.”
Aurora-based Skinopathy makes CIX 2024 Top 20 Startup List
The CIX Top 20 Early and Top 10 Growth Awards recognize outstanding Canadian tech companies in early and growth stages.
York Region creates new plan to boost business, economy, workforce
York Region business and research leaders are welcoming a new strategy to help develop the regional economy and businesses.