Andrea Donais, founder of Donais Studios in Newmarket grew her business with the support of the Starter Company Plus program from the YSBEC.
York Region Business News
Explore York Link blogs, an aggregated collection of third-party business news, and press releases coming from the York Region business community.
Canada’s York Region in Greater Toronto Positioned as a Prime Tech Destination for Taiwanese Investment
While Canada’s technological strengths are often under-estimated, York Region, located in the Greater Toronto Area and home to a burgeoning technology ecosystem, is actively positioning itself as a key partner for Taiwanese tech companies looking to expand into the North American market.
Ontario boosting training for entrepreneurs through the $5-million 2025-26 RAISE grant program
Applications are now open for the 2025-26 RAISE program, where participants will receive free online business development training from DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University — one of Canada’s leading business incubators — and a one-time grant of $10,000 upon successful completion.
LGC Group Opens $100M Organic Chemistry Synthesis Centre of Excellence in Vaughan, Strengthening Canada’s Role in Global Life Sciences
The new facility expands the capabilities of Toronto Research Chemicals (TRC), an organization founded at the University of Toronto more than 40 years ago and acquired by LGC Group in 2019.
Honda Indy moving to Markham
The new temporary track will be built in the eastern precinct of Markham’s downtown, between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407.
Newmarket business accelerator was a ‘game changer’: Patent startup founder
Newmarket resident Yulia Druzhnikova co-founded PioneerIP, an AI-power patent infringement search, 16 months ago with networking, exposure support from Treefrog Accelerator
Richmond Hill headquartered Cheelcare signs five-year lease for new manufacturing facility to support growth
Cheelcare, a Canadian leader in assistive mobility devices, has entered into a five-year lease agreement with an option for another five years, for a 16,000 square foot freestanding industrial facility located in Markham, Ontario.
New partnership brings Westcliff University’s first Canadian Campus to ventureLAB’s innovation hub
ventureLAB is proud to announce a new partnership with Westcliff University, marking the official launch of Westcliff’s first Canadian campus, right inside our innovation hub in Markham, Ontario. This exciting collaboration brings together a world-class academic institution and one of Canada’s most active innovation ecosystems to unlock bold new opportunities for students, researchers, and tech founders alike.
Markham-based QEA Tech receives $4.2M in NRC support to advance AI-driven building envelope retrofit technology
QEA Tech announced that it is receiving advisory services and up to $4,200,000 CAD in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support research and development for its patented building envelope audit technology.
Province Launching Protect Ontario Financing Program to Support Sectors Impacted by U.S. Tariffs
Ontario-based businesses in these sectors that are facing tariff-related challenges, such as payroll, lease payments and utility payments, will be able to access the Protect Ontario Financing Program in addition to federal government supports, such as loans and loan guarantees, and would undergo rigorous assessment and due diligence to determine eligibility and ensure taxpayer funds are used responsibly.
YSpace is turning Toronto and York Region into a springboard for Hong Kong startups
With support from Cyberport and YSpace, York University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub, Ip is now leading RaSpect’s expansion into North America, tapping into a market that’s home to the thousands of high-rise buildings. And Toronto and York Region are their first stops outside of Asia.
York University Markham marks first anniversary with 1,000 students enrolled
York University’s Markham campus will welcome a new cohort of students through orientation, marking one year since it opened. According to Dan Palermo, deputy provost at the Markham campus, the school will admit around 600 students this fall, bringing the total number of students to around 1,000.
Markham-based QEA Tech launches Japan projects in collaboration with Drone Frontier
The Tokyo National Museum was interested in working with QEA Tech to gain detailed insights on energy savings opportunities across the building envelope. The Museum chose to work with QEA Tech as it provided an innovative, efficient, and scalable solution unavailable locally. This cutting-edge project consisted of QEA Tech and Drone Frontier using industrial drones to capture thousands of high-quality infrared and visual images of the museum’s building envelope, having prepared diligently beforehand to ensure that local laws and regulations were followed.
Ontario Taking Next Steps to Build Yonge North Subway Extension
The Ontario government has awarded a contract to design and build the twin tunnels for the Yonge North Subway Extension, marking a significant milestone in the province’s plan to protect Ontario in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty by investing in transit to reduce gridlock, support economic growth and keep workers on the job.
Markham-based taq Automotive Intelligence Revolutionizes Finance with Digital Deal Jacket™
With a continued focus on the future of automotive finance, taq Automotive Intelligence announces the launch of its patent pending Digital Deal Jacket™, a groundbreaking feature within its credit portal.
Loblaw plans for Canada’s largest rooftop solar installation in East Gwillimbury
Loblaw Companies Ltd. is planning the installation of Canada’s largest rooftop solar system at its East Gwillimbury distribution centre (DC) in Ontario.
York University unveils new School of Medicine sign and new OCI partnership at VHCP
York University unveiled its new sign today at the site of its future School of Medicine building next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The University also signed a new partnership agreement with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) toward fostering health-care innovation through collaboration with partners within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.
NGen Leads $108M Investment in Sustainable Manufacturing Projects; 3 in York Region
These projects represent a significant step forward in Canada’s efforts to reduce industrial emissions, support economic growth, and build a more sustainable future through innovation.
Newmarket headquartered Eco Guardian launches Canada-wide eCommerce store for sustainable food packaging
Eco Guardian’s e-commerce store makes it easier than ever for consumers and busy owner-operators to access sustainable food packaging solutions.
Four York Region restaurants just made the list of 100 best patios in Canada. Here they are
Open Table releases a list of the 100 best restaurants for outdoor dining in Canada every year.
A ‘transformative development’ is coming to East Gwillimbury
One of East Gwillimbury’s top employers is planning a “transformative new development” that will not only boost the company’s industrial space but also create a people place.
Shop local and meet York Region student entrepreneurs at the Summer Company Showcase!
Discover how local students turned big ideas into real businesses and find unique products and services while you’re at it!
Markham-based NordSpace is prepping for Canada’s first sovereign space launch
In August of this year, Rahul Goel will stand on the rocky cliffs of St. Lawrence, NL, watching a plume of fire rip across the sky.
If everything goes right, his company, NordSpace, will make history by orchestrating Canada’s first commercial rocket launch.
If everything goes right, his company, NordSpace, will make history by orchestrating Canada’s first commercial rocket launch.
Two York Region companies receive Bioenterprise Canada round 2 funding from the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream
Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce the successful applicants of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream! Twelve organizations have been selected for the second call for proposals to receive funding to conduct market validation and product development projects, and to bring those innovative solutions to the market.
LiUNA Local 183’s new headquarters launches campus in Vaughan
The lower level is dedicated to programs and services for LiUNA staff and members, including medical clinics, health and wellness spaces, financial services and recreational amenities. Work and learning spaces, including training classrooms, are on the upper floors, with access to daylight. There are 40,000 sf of roof terraces (at three different levels) and outdoor gardens.
Live demonstrations featured at second OVIN Demonstration Zone Showcase in Markham
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone (OVIN DZ) proudly hosted the second Driving Innovation – Automotive Industry Networking and Mobility Technology Showcase, highlighting the latest Ontario-made advancements in automotive and mobility technologies.
How Haven Greens, a high-tech farm, in Canada is winning in the trade war
An autonomous farm in Ontario that recently came online is now getting a rush of unexpected business thanks to the trade war, which has Canadian consumers and businesses dropping American products in favor of domestically produced goods.
Richmond Hill teen cuts food waste by selling ‘short-dated’ snacks to consumers who care about the planet
Brighton Ng is from Hong Kong, where a company called GreenPrice sells mostly packaged food close to its best before date (BBD) for 30 to 70 per cent off. He wondered if he could do the same thing in Canada with “short-dated” food — and it turns out he can.
Georgina-based, Flourish Home Creations, gives new purpose to old furniture
Sabrina Teixeira, 22, started her small business refurbishing and selling unique, sustainable and affordable pieces in her parent’s garage last year.
G7 Representatives gather in Markham and Toronto to strengthen global semiconductor partnerships
Representatives from G7 nations convened in Markham and Toronto on June 3 to discuss international collaboration and priorities for the future of semiconductors.