The City of Markham and City of Vaughan, with funding from the Ontario Government through Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), officially launched the Demonstration Zone and are now inviting businesses to apply to demonstrate their mobility technologies. The first round of selected businesses will pilot their technologies in early 2024.

York Region Business News (page 7)
YSBEC Success Story: Young at Heart Painting
Check out the latest YSBEC success story about Young at Heart Painting, which leveraged small business support services to help their company grow.
Innovative York Region-based AI company powers car shopping experiences
Most of the team members call York Region home. “This allowed us to centrally serve customers across GTA and beyond, enabling consumers to buy and sell cars with just a click,” Ng explains. “Carity introduced an industry-first profit-sharing car selling program, which allows consumers to share in the profits when Carity resells their vehicle, while also guaranteeing a selling price and offering upfront payments.”
Ghost Taco arrives on Newmarket Main Street
Ghost Taco began as a pop-up restaurant at EventMrkt in 2021 as a way to keep staff working during lockdowns. Its popularity prompted the Buckleys, who also own Ground Burger Bar, to expand to a permanent location.
Aurora restaurateur’s challenge to help feed those in need goes viral
Now, as owner of Tina’s Grill, the popular restaurant in Aurora’s southwest, Saberi is working hard to help families stave off hunger and erase any sort of stigma in the process.
Markham company developing AI wearable device to help people who are blind, visually impaired
The most common way for people with visual impairments to navigate outside is through the use of guide canes and raised tactile indicators at intersections. Yu said these devices are more than 100 years old, and there hasn’t been much progress made with alternative solutions, while the Visiontif wearable device is a screen reader for the real world.
Aurora’s Christmas Market features vendors, attractions, performers
Top 100 Ontario event in Town Park Dec. 1-3, 8-10 features 115 vendors, buskers, geodome, inflatables playground, Christmas tree lighting.
Here’s where to have holiday fun in Newmarket, York Region
Frozen Fridays return in Newmarket, along with holiday markets, Santa Claus parades, and more this week.
Revolutionizing healthcare: MedTech start-ups win $50,000 at ventureLAB’s third annual Hard Tech Summit
The summit featured an exclusive Pitch Gala where eight companies vie for a chance to win a collective $50,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes to further advance research and scale operations.
Vaughan headquartered Drone Delivery Canada completes first U.S. demonstration with West Michigan Drone Delivery MMFP pilot project
DDC flew its Sparrow RPA and Workhorse Aero flew its Horsefly RPA to successfully demonstrate the delivery of medical products and handoff to Caduceus Medical Logistics in Holland, Michigan.
East Gwillimbury makes The 5 Fastest Growing Towns in Canada Everyone is Talking About list
Situated along the East Holland River in the Regional Municipality of York, East Gwillimbury is a town in Southern Ontario and is also part of the Greater Toronto Area. Made up of several villages in the suburbs of the big city, East Gwillimbury is one of the best places to live for families and young professionals.
Beloved brewery, Muddy York Brewing Co. is relocating to Stouffville
Echoing others’ sentiments about Toronto’s volatile real estate market, Michalek adds, “we’re victims of this crazy financial economic situation right now where even for a successful business like ours, certain things are just not within grasp, especially in Toronto. It’s hard.”
ventureLAB’s latest HardTech Summit explores barriers, opportunities facing Canadian deep tech startups
At ventureLAB’s third HardTech Summit, speakers discussed challenges and opportunities facing deep technology startups across the country and offered entrepreneurs advice on navigating them.
telMAX breaks ground to bring new high-speed fibre internet to Aurora
“We know that Aurorans increasingly need more reliable and faster internet, especially with the massive shift we’ve seen in the number of people working from home,” he said at the time. “The reality is that access to high-speed and affordable broadband service is now a necessity not a luxury, especially in today’s economy. And what’s incredibly important for us is that this project will only strengthen the town’s ability to get critical information to residents and businesses, while also allowing us to explore exciting new initiatives like offering free wi-fi at places like Town Park.”
Iranian couple starts KO Club Kickboxing and Martial Arts Fitness in Aurora
In March 2021, they managed to open their own gym — KO Club Kickboxing and Martial Arts Fitness in Aurora.
New app from Markham-based startup gives patients remote access to physiotherapy options
Chiropractor Dr. Jim Feng, well-known in York Region for his commitment to healthcare innovation, has recently made significant strides in improving patient access to physiotherapy options. Jim is no stranger to York Region’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, having long been associated with York University’s YSpace, a leading resource hub for entrepreneurs in the region.
Ask the Expert: Strategic marketing tactics – building your brand in northern York Region
We’re back with another edition of Ask the Expert! This blog series aims to answer the most common questions that we receive from new or prospective entrepreneurs. Joining us this month is Maryam Golabgir, Chief Amazement Officer at Digital Marketing Experts.
Richmond Hill-based PharmaGuide wins investment from Pfizer Canada for innovative AI patient portal
PharmaGuide patient portal, PharmaVisionAI, aims to ease the administrative burden faced by physicians in the Canadian health care system by using technology to facilitate drug coverage processes.
Cologix completes 15MW data center in Markham
The facility utilizes free cooling and the company said the site features multiple physically separated Meet-Me-Rooms and fiber entrance vaults.
Richmond Hill headquartered Staples Canada celebrates small business owners by announcing Boost My Biz contest winners
In June, small business owners across Canada were encouraged to share their story of how their business is making an impact in their community and why they deserve a boost. Staples received an incredible response with submissions from a wide range of businesses in every sector.
Aurora-based Flow Beverage signs 45 million unit co-pack agreement with Joyburst
The Aurora production facility is ideally suited to help Joyburst reach its production goals and has the expansion potential to grow alongside our partners.
Live at the centre of it all at the new Park Place in downtown Vaughan
A key part of the master planned community, Park Place will connect SmartVMC to its southern edge, further elevating the architectural landscape along Highway 7.
Vaughan headquartered Martinrea International announces strategic relationship with Yamada Manufacturing
Martinrea and Yamada have signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the two entities to work together in the Japanese market.
Markham headquartered restaurant software startup Snappy secures $7-million Series A round
Founded in 2016, Snappy offers restaurant management technology for customer touchpoints including point-of-sale, online orders, loyalty programs, reservations, waitlists, and custom-branded mobile apps and websites.
Small business support program helps bring Markham businesses into digital world
“What they offered was over and above our expectations, and many aspects of the programs, such as one-on-one support, financial assistance, and resources, were real lifelines for us.”
Canada to invest $23 million in Markham-based Edesa Biotech
This groundbreaking project aligns with Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy and will support increased innovation, as well as world-class expertise and infrastructure for clinical trials.
York Region Headquartered Magna develops 100% melt recyclable foam and trim seating product
The finished seats have the look and feel of seating materials that meet industry standards, while significantly reducing the environmental impact, Magna officials said.
Newmarket among 10 new Investing in Women’s Futures program locations
The Investing in Women’s Futures program provides a range of services and employment supports to help women overcome barriers, increase well-being, build skills and gain employment.
19 York Region-based companies make Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies 2023
There were 19 York Region-based business to make the list.
New residents, businesses encouraged to ‘Choose Georgina’ with launch of economic development website
A new website highlighting the reasons people should choose Georgina for their homes and businesses has been launched by the town.