The Government of Canada has confirmed that certain existing income and business support programs will end on October 23, 2021, as previously announced. This includes the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Startups & Innovation (page 5)
Newmarket’s NewMakeIt, Maker’s Mark Partner to boost support for area artisans
Opportunities for makers in Newmarket and York Region are growing thanks to a new partnership between two local businesses: NewMakeIt and The Maker’s Mark.
Upcoming Small Business Webinars and Events
We have so many great webinars and group events coming up that we had to dedicate an entire blog to them! From marketing experts teaching graphic design and online marketing, to digital advertising strategies and more, our agenda is jam-packed with helpful tips…
York Region’s Regional Innovation Centre, ventureLAB, Releases 2020 Annual Review
Despite the economic and business challenges of COVID-19, ventureLAB program companies and alumni made an outstanding impact in 2020. From the launch of Tech Undivided and the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, discover everything else that this regional innovation centre supported in their 2020 Annual Review.
Former YSpace and ventureLAB-Supported Company Mero Technologies Closes Seed Round to Improve Cleanliness of Commercial Buildings
Mero Technologies, a former YSpace and current ventureLAB-supported company in Markham, York Region has completed a $2.5M USD seed round, led by Fresco Capital and IX Labs.
Quarantine Chronicles: How a Markham BIPOC, Female-Founded Business Shifted Gears Through the Pandemic
After meeting at McGill University studying Dietetics and Nutrition, the two of us realized we had more than just our passion for health and coming from our hometown of Markham, Ontario in common.
New Accelerator in Northern York Region Brings Increased Opportunity for Startups as First Cohort Graduates
A new business accelerator in Newmarket recently graduated its first cohort. Read more about this group of companies and how the new accelerator is looking to support businesses in Northern York Region and beyond.
The Best Built Robot in the World, Siemens Enhances the HCI, and New Career Opportunities: York Region Tech Makes a Big Impact
Major tech announcements coming from York Region-based companies this spring are no surprise as tech companies here continue to thrive in Canada’s second largest tech hub!
Virtual 2021 Seneca HELIX Summer Institute Open for Applications
Are you ready to innovate? Seneca College is holding its fifth annual HELIX Summer Institute, a highly-interactive and intense six-day virtual experience where you will think creatively, work strategically and collaborate with peers and real key stakeholders. Together, you will…
York University’s YSpace Releases 2020-2021 Annual Report
It was a year unlike any other for Innovation York, the innovation office for York University with a mandate to facilitate and maximize the commercial, economic, and social impacts of research and innovation. Their 2020-2021 Annual Report has just been released and it outlines impressive successes, including supporting new ventures, launching new programs and more.
New Innovation Space Set To Open For Businesses In Vaughan
The City of Vaughan has partnered with Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) and ventureLAB to establish a new innovation space in Vaughan, strengthening the City as a place where entrepreneurs and small businesses can flourish and grow.
3 Big York Region Health Tech Announcements: Protecting Olympic Athletes, Canada’s Only ‘Smart Hospital’ Opens for All Services, and Mackenzie Health Achieves Prestigious Digital Recognition!
There have been some big announcements coming from York Region health tech companies and its world-class hospitals recently. Check them out now!
‘Best Built Robot in the World’: Richmond Hill Students Rock it at Robotics World Competition
Team 82855G even took home the highly coveted Build Award, crowning them as having created one of the best built robots in the world.
Where Should Business Owners Invest Their Profits?
SMALL BUSINESS GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
Jessica Brand
Should you take your profits and use them to increase your net worth? Or should you reinvest them in your business to take it even further?
Jessica Brand
Should you take your profits and use them to increase your net worth? Or should you reinvest them in your business to take it even further?
The Top 5 Announcements Driving York Region’s Innovation Ecosystem Ahead in May
Last month, York Region’s innovation ecosystem thrived with big announcements on exciting new projects and programs to support startups, the development of new technology, and help businesses expand! Here are the top 5!
How Vaughan Headquartered SkyX Found a Home and Room to Grow in Ontario, Canada’s Airspace
With its head office in Vaughan, Ontario, just outside of Toronto, SkyX has taken advantage of the thriving technology scene in the area. “I believe Toronto is one of the greatest tech hubs. It’s evolving much faster than Palo Alto and San Francisco right now,” says Horn.
Minister Ng announces the launch of the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is now accepting loan applications. The Black Entrepreneur Loan Fun will provide loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
Accelerate Newmarket – Three Unique Organizations. The Perfect Mix to Accelerate Your Business
Through this unique model, Accelerate Newmarket helps entrepreneurs continuously learn and develop new skills in order to stay relevant in tomorrow’s world.
Province Launches New Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant
The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses
Seneca and Kingbridge Centre team up to support environmental innovation in York Region
Seneca and Kingbridge Centre are creating an innovation hub that will deliver a real-world setting and programs to help entrepreneurs build and scale businesses in the agriculture, food production and processing, energy and environmental sectors.
Technology Leaders Launch Canada’s Semiconductor Council: An Industry-Led Coalition to Address the Global Chip Shortage
A select group of globally recognized Canadian founders, business leaders, chip manufacturers, and investors have announced the creation of Canada’s Semiconductor Council.
Does Your Startup Have What It Takes?
INNOVATION PORTAL GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
Tony Di Benedetto, Founder, Launch Capital
When I decided to start Launch Capital to help provide venture capital and guidance for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, I spent some time thinking of what qualities we would look for when identifying exciting businesses to get behind.
Tony Di Benedetto, Founder, Launch Capital
When I decided to start Launch Capital to help provide venture capital and guidance for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, I spent some time thinking of what qualities we would look for when identifying exciting businesses to get behind.
The global chip shortage is the wake-up call Canada needs
Melissa Chee is president and chief executive officer of ventureLAB, a leading technology hub in York Region that operates Canada’s only hardware and semiconductor incubator, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative What do video games, ventilators and vehicles have in common? They’re all…
Meet the 2021 York Region Food Accelerator Cohort
The York Region Food Accelerator program is excited to announce the 12 participating companies in its 3rd cohort.
Q&A: Are York Region Companies Pivoting to a Digital World?
Having to pivot into the digital world has become a reality for many businesses during COVID-19. We asked two experts about this phenomenon.
Government Announces Extension of Canada Emergency Business Account to Help Small Businesses
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, announced that the deadline for new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) applications is being extended from March 31 to June 30, 2021.
Four YSpace Startups Make Prosh Marketing 21 Interesting Start-ups to Watch in 2021
Four startups from YSpace in Markham made the list. They include GoPeer, Blade Filters, Lactiga, and SUKU Vitamins.
Government of Canada Invests in ventureLAB Expansion to Help Strengthen Canada’s Hardware and Semiconductor Sector
The Government of Canada announced an additional FedDev Ontario investment of $4.7 million for Markham’s own ventureLAB to enhance its Hardware Catalyst Initiative Lab with virtual access and greater testing capabilities.
ventureLAB Receives $4.73M in FedDev Ontario Funding to Expand Canada’s First Hardware Lab and Incubator, Catapulting Canadian Tech Founders to the Global Stage
The FedDev Ontario non-repayable contribution of $4.73M will be injected to expand Canada’s first hardware and semiconductor-focused lab
Seneca Researchers Develop Next-Gen Coating for COVID-19 Vaccines
A team of Seneca researchers is working to develop a next-generation coating to protect sensitive medicines and some of the emerging COVID-19 vaccines.