Every month our team compiles a list of startup and small business events that we’re interested in attending that are highly useful to the startup and small business community. A number of the organizations listed host a number of great events, but we’ve chosen to feature one event that we feel will be particularity interesting and useful. This blog is posted during the first week of every month.
The events we focus on are in Toronto, the GTA, Guelph, Kitchener, Niagara, St. Catharines and Hamilton. Please note that the events may sell out fast, so if you are interested in attending please contact the organization to register quickly. If you’re hosting an event or have come across one you think we should mention, please feel free to contact us with your suggestions and event information.
MaRS is where entrepreneurs get the help they need, where all kinds of people meet to spark new ideas, and where a global reputation for innovation is being earned, one success story at a time.The often-free events at MaRS are ideal for start-ups, science, technology and social entrepreneurs looking to make connections and learn more about a particular aspect of business. VA Partners’ own Mark Elliott will be presenting at this month’s Entrepreneurship 101 talk on B2B sales.
Event: Entrepreneurship 101: Sales (B2B)
When: February 6, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: MaRS Centre Auditorium, 101 College Street, Toronto
Startup Drinks
Startup Drinks provides an open space for entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect and share ideas. There are no presentations or pitches, just conversation and networking. To meet some of the up-and-coming people in the startup community, this is a great event to attend. These events are held regularly in a number of locations, including Toronto, Hamilton, and Waterloo.
Event: Startup Drinks Waterloo
When: February 5, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Chainsaw, 28 King Street North, Waterloo
Event: Startup Drinks Hamilton
When: February 13, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Winking Judge, 25 Augusta Street, Hamilton
Event: Startup Drinks Toronto
When: February 27, 2013, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Hotel Ocho, 195 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Peterborough Business Advisory Centre
The Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC) provides a variety of services on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, Ontario including active support of business attraction, relocation, start-up and expansion, tourism, innovation and research, agriculture and rural development.
Event: LinkedIn Marketing: Profit from the Social Platform with the Best Clients
When: February 5, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: 210 Wolfe Street, Peterborough
Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum
The GHVF is a non-profit organization that fosters the growth of entrepreneurs by connecting new businesses to investors and business service providers across the Golden Horseshoe. Since 2000, the GHVF has connected 139 new businesses to local investors and featured 55 amazing keynote speakers.
Event: GHVF Breakfast Session with TD’s Chief Economist Craig Alexander
When: February 6, 2013, 7:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: The Burlington Golf and Country Club, Burlington, ON
Startup Weekend Toronto is a community building startup event. Participants get together with local developers, marketers, designers, and enthusiasts, and start companies in just 54 hours.
Event: Startup Weekend London, Ontario
When: February 8, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Fanshawe College, 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd, London
Communitech events are focused on being engaging and interactive, providing useful information for companies of many sizes. Communitech is based in the Waterloo region and these events are varied and include peer2peer, Hub for Grub, Techworking Breakfast and Communitech Connect and more.
Event: Level Up Workshop – Sales: Taking Stock and Making Changes for a Strong 2013
When: February 12, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Accelerator Centre – Meeting Room 2, 295 Hagley Boulevard, Waterloo
nGen
nGen is a hub for innovation, incubation and business development in Niagara. nGen is Niagara’s Regional Innovation Centre and a member of the Ontario Network of Excellence, which connects technology-based business, entrepreneurs and researchers with services and programs to help innovate and gain a competitive advantage.
Event: nGen learn@lunch: OCE Resources and Funding Programs
When: February 12, 2013, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Niagara College – NOTL Campus, Ventures Training Room W213, 135 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Silicon Halton organizes a number of events throughout the year in the region Halton which including Burlington, Oakville, and Milton. Their monthly meetups and Peer2Peer include three main components; a key notes presentation, a get to know a member presentation, and time set out for networking. These events are catered to anyone at a startup – especially in the tech industry – that want to learn more about business best practices.
Event: Meetup #40: Grow Your Leadership Capacity & Grow Your Business
When: February 12, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Where: 575 Ontario Street South, Milton
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the development of Ontario’s economy by helping create new jobs, products, services, technologies and businesses. In partnership with industry and academia, OCE co-invests to commercialize innovation originating in the province’s colleges, universities and research hospitals.
Event: Business Strategy Fundamentals
When: February 14, 2013, 8:30 a.m.
Where: 156 Front Street West, Suite 200, Toronto
This informal social event in Toronto is perfect for anyone interesting in web development. People in the industry are able to gather along with both recruits as people in the web development start up community.
Event: Toronto Rails Pub Night
When: February 18, 2013 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West, Toronto
Startup Grind is a 30-city event series hosted in 13-countries that educates, inspires, and connects entrepreneurs. Rooted in the heart of Silicon Valley, Startup Grind brings the world's greatest founders and investors to tell their stories on stage and share it with our global startup community.
Event: Startup Grind Toronto Hosts Marc Garneau
When: February 19, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Fasken Martineau, 24F, 333 Bay St, Toronto
Innovation Factory helps advance Hamilton’s innovation community and serves as an inspiring, expert resource for entrepreneurs that fosters connections across the community and accelerates growth. VA Partners’ own Mark Elliott is heavily involved with the Innovation Factory’s Sales Peer to Peer group, frequently planning events.
Event: Sales P2P – Jamie Shanks – Social Selling Expert
When: February 13, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Please contact Daniella DeTina for more information
Innovation Guelph provides educational programs, events, and services to help entrepreneurs, community organizations, researchers and business leaders develop their ideas. They also have expert advisors to help with your development.
Event: Entrepreneur SoapboxWhen: February 22, 2013, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Fionn MacCools, 494 Edinburgh Road South, Guelph
EntrepreneursDen
EntrepreneursDen takes a keen interest in exploring entrepreneurship related issues. Expect to participate in activities, review recent trends and industry news, hear from dynamic guest speakers, participate in Q&A, and a host of quality networking opportunities.
Event: Innovator Introductions: Pitches & Networking Event
When: February 22, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Metro Hall – Room #308, Toronto
Did we forget your event or an event you’re attending? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
For further information about any of these events contact our team, and don’t forget to sign up for next month’s newsletter for more great events around the GTA.
