ELLA, run by York University’s innovation hub, YSpace, has received $3 million from a federal government program called Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) to expand support for woman entrepreneurs across the country.
Startups & Innovation (page 3)
Celebrating the future of women in tech at ventureLAB
On March 29, women entrepreneurs, founders from ventureLAB’s Tech Undivided initiative and senior leaders in the hardware and semiconductor industry came together from across the province to celebrate and recognize women in the tech sector.
ventureLAB’s 2022 Annual Review
2022 was an exceptional year for ventureLAB as they continued to build tech titans that are Born Global, Inclusive by Design and Built to Scale.
The one-of-a-kind startup making it easy for companies to use autonomous machinery
ventureLAB’s Accelerate AI company, Cyberworks Robotics, is a one-of-a-kind startup that’s making it easy for companies to use autonomous machinery. A real-time example can be seen in ventureLAB’s Innovation Space where Cyberworks Robotics’ sensor technology is actively used on the floor cleaning machines, keeping the space tidy using a fully autonomous vehicle.
Easly and ventureLAB announce new partnership to drive innovation in Canada
“Thanks to our partnership with ventureLAB, more Canadian entrepreneurs will learn how they can take advantage of government tax credits to secure a more predictable cash flow and access capital sooner,” said Alastair Nimmons, Executive Vice President at Easly.
ventureLAB celebrates the launch of its Hardware Catalyst MedTech Lab at Sterling Industries
The collaboration aims to bring together the knowledge and experience of individuals and organizations with a strong background in cutting edge hardware development and medical technology, in order to create an environment that will attract MedTech startups to York Region and Ontario, and ultimately benefit patients and healthcare providers alike.
APPLY NOW to ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative!
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is now accepting applications. Learn more and apply by March 6!
YSpace Launches Three Programs
Yspace, York University’s entrepreneurship hub, has launched 3 programs this month: Founder Fundamentals, Venture Catalyst and Tech Accelerator.
Two York Region-based companies advance to finals of the Ontario Made Awards
Fruit of the Land Culinary Market and International Safety both advance to to the finals of the Ontario Made Awards.
Melissa Chee, President and CEO of ventureLAB, featured on CTV News
ventureLAB’s President and CEO, Melissa Chee, was recently featured by CTV News to discuss the importance of boosting semiconductor output to remain competitive.
Markham-Based QEA Tech Makes Fourteen Canadian Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2023 List
Melati’s latest venture, QEA Tech, focuses on energy loss in buildings. As much as 51 per cent of heating and air conditioning escapes through poorly sealed or insulated areas on a building’s exterior.
York Region’s Top 10 Threats: What’s the plan for your business?
The Regional Municipality of York conducts an annual Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) to identify the top 10 threats facing our communities and York Region businesses. Use it to inform your business continuity plans so your business can be as effective as possible during a service disruption and quickly recover afterwards.
Newmarket Startup Accelerator Marks 250 Successful Participants
By the end of the next cohort in March 2023, the Treefrog Accelerator will have supported 300 founders and wants to expand this to help 400 more individuals in the next two years.
ventureLAB Announces the 2022 Winners of the York Region Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund
ventureLAB, along with York Region, is pleased to announce the winners of both streams of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund…
Newmarket Pitches future of Town as Arts Hub
“I like the idea of a small town when you’re starting … a small town nobody making it and staying in a small town,” McKinnon said. “I like being able to inspire a younger generation everywhere that there are lots of people around the world that live in small towns like this.”
Business Summit Aims to Propel Newmarket to Next Level
The day was filled with presentations from different key speakers, including Lewis, York University, and local businesses. The summit also featured breakout groups and presentations by students pitching businesses to the gathered crowd.
Are You Up For The Single-Use Innovation Challenge?
Apply today to the Single-Use Innovation Challenge for a chance to receive up to $20,000 in funding.
Stronach demonstrates his new micro-mobility vehicle
It’s been two years since Frank Stronach started work on his micro-mobility electric vehicle and while it will still take more time before the SARIT (‘Safe Affordable Reliable Innovative Transport’) is out of the prototype phase, that did not stop the Canadian billionaire from showing off two early models at Parliament Hill on Wednesday.
Innovative post-secondary solutions will help solve Canada’s tech-sector skills shortage
Canada is facing a digital skills shortage that, if left unaddressed, will present a major barrier to business growth across all sectors and industries. As corporate leaders continue facing difficulties recruiting and retaining tech talent, universities in Canada can play a vital role in leading the development and implementation of innovative post-secondary solutions that address existing human resources gaps.
‘Explore to be Your Own Boss’: Markham’s Entrepreneurial Community Enables Small Businesses to Thrive
In 2021, as a participant of the Markham Small Business Centre’s Summer Company program, where youth get up to $3,000 to start a business and hands-on training and mentorship, Wong started Shoops & Letters, which provides unique customer lettering and artwork services.
Is Your Business Protected From Cyber Threats? Simple Tips From ESET During Cybersecurity Month
Earlier this year, Telus conducted a study on ransomware attacks with a staggering finding that 83% of Canadian businesses surveyed reported attempted attacks and 64% indicated they had experienced one. Read these useful digital security tips from ESET’s Chief Security Evangelist, Tony Anscombe in our latest #YRtech Blog in support of Canada’s Cybersecurity Month.
The Genesis of Customer Experience Technology
According to Lee-Kwen, who manages a team of about 250 engineers across 10 locations worldwide, York Region is one of the key sites for the company and it will be growing in the near future.
Building Out Spokes: Selecting the Right Space for Your Company’s Return-to-Office Plan
The hub-and-spoke office model pushes companies to reconsider a single central location and instead have a primary head office with smaller ‘spoke’ locations placed closer to where employees live. Giving staff the option to come into the office with more accessibility and comfort.
Farming With a Purpose in York Region
“York Region has always been very dynamic and supportive, especially when it comes to general knowledge and support for agriculture and agriculture technologies, and has quite a diverse and strong agriculture community and business ecosystem. When I have presented my ideas in other communities, the looks and comments I received were very different than in York Region, where there’s more understanding and a willingness to experiment and support agricultural innovation.”
York University Officially Opens Newest YSpace Location in Northern York Region
“By leveraging the success of YSpace’s programs and making customized resources available to the Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury, York University is facilitating entrepreneurship and business acceleration in northern York Region,” says York University’s Vice-President Research and Innovation Amir Asif.
Major New Business Investments in York Region: Discover Who They Are Now!
These new business investments and expansions in the Region’s tech, life science, and distribution sectors are a clear indicator that York Region is a location of choice to launch, scale, and tap into the talent pool and business opportunities available in the GTA.
Sobeys, Newmarket-Based Company Plan Pilot Project to Reduce Polystyrene Packaging
“What Eco Guardian put forward really excited us,” she said. “It’s a fibre-based tray — so, something that is non-plastic — and they were also in a position to be commercially viable.”
Tech Investments, Jobs, and Tech Experts Collide in York Region’s #YRtech Pavilion at Collision
With the announcement of over $250 million in business investments and expansions, along with the creation of 800 jobs, new partnerships, and multiple startup pitch competitions, York Region’s #YRtech Pavilion was a big draw for those that came to check out the ‘Olympics of Tech’ in North America.
Vaughan Resident Creates ‘Holy Grail of Startup Accelerators’
Poteck wants to give back by investing in startups closer to home with a new accelerator program, called LocoLAB.
Vaughan Announces Next Phase of Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct
The move feels like a part of the bigger urban expansion happening in Vaughan. Nevo, who moved to country seven years ago from Israel, thinks the city is going to continue to build north.