Every month our team compiles a list of startup and small business events in Toronto and Southwestern Ontario that we’re interested in attending and think will be useful to the startup and small business community.
Some of these events may fill up fast, so if you’re interested in attending please register quickly. Business events are generally free of charge, unless a price is listed. If you’re hosting an event or come across one that you think should be included here, feel free to contact us with your suggestion.
Toronto Events
Toronto Business Development Centre
TBDC is an independent non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to nurturing the growth of new and emerging businesses. The Centre has been recognized at home and internationally for achievements in the field of business incubation. Over the past twenty plus years, TBDC has helped more than 4500 businesses through our various programs.
Event: Starting a Business: The Essentials (Start A Business Seminar Series)
When: February 3, 2015, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Toronto Business Development Centre, 900 – 1 Yonge Street, Toronto
Price: $60 pre paid price, $75 door price
The Networking Effect
Attend one of Toronto’s largest networking events – up to 1,000 potential clients, partners and collaborators! More than a business card exchange – this is an Interactive, Experiential Networking Event where you’ll find and book appointments with potential clients and partners at the Conference!
When: February 3, 2015, 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ontario Science Centre, Toronto
Price: $56.50
Camp Tech is a tech skills training hub. We provide half- and full-day in-person workshops for adults who want to learn web and digital skills. We create a welcoming environment for those who are hesitant around technology, and we emphasize skills that can be put into practice right away. Camp Tech was founded in August 2012. We offer approximately 75 workshops a year in Toronto, and have recently expanded into Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener/Waterloo.
Event: Photoshop for Beginners
When: February 4, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Price: $85.00
The Toronto Board of Trade facilitates opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, business development, and city building. It is the authoritative voice of Canada’s most prominent business community.
Event: Digitizing Loyalty: Engaging Customers through New Technologies
When: February 9, 2015, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Toronto Region Board of Trade, 1st Canadian Place 4th Floor, Toronto
Price: $99.00
Enterprise Toronto
Enterprise Toronto is a one-stop source to start and grow your small business. Their team of small business advisors can help you make the right decisions during your business start-up and help develop your management capabilities as your business venture grows.
Event: Business Plan Boot Camp
When: February 10, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: 2nd Floor, Committee Room #4 Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto
Price: $15.00
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.
Event: Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Workshops – Starting Lean: Value Proposition
When: February 12, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Room CR2 – MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto
Price: $100.00
This great informal social event in Toronto is perfect for anyone interested in web development. People in the industry, as well as interested recruits are able to gather in Toronto’s exciting web development and start up community.
Event: Toronto Rails Pub Night
When: February 17, 2015, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West (Queen & Dufferin), Toronto
Techvibes is Canada’s leading technology media property. Originally founded in 2002, Techvibes is dedicated to covering social, mobile, and startup news that impacts Canadians.
Event: Techvibes Tech Fest Toronto
When: Feb 19, 2015, 5:30 p.m – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto
Price: Free
University of Toronto: The School of Continuing Studies
The School of Continuing Studies meets the needs of adult learners with expertly designed non-degree courses delivered, in class and online, by instructors who are leaders in their fields. Through the School, the University of Toronto extends its impact deeper into the community and further along the continuum of lifelong learning.
Event: Finding and Marketing to Customers
Our very own Mark Elliott will teach you how to accelerate the growth of your business by better understanding your buyer and their decision-making process and determine which tactics are best for your target customer.
When: February 24 – March 24, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: 158 St. George Street,
Price: $495.00
The Conference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada is dedicated to building a better future for Canadians by making our economy and society more dynamic and competitive. They are experts in conducting and disseminating research as well as building organizational capacity.
Event: Driving Performance with a Risk Management Culture
When: February 23 – 25, 2015
Where: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto
Price: S1755.00
Waterloo Region events
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre encourages and contributes to the enterprising spirit and economic vitality of our commmunity by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing businesses.
Event: Financing for Startups- Kitchener
When: February 9, 2015, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: 200 King Street West, Kitchener
Price: Free
Founded by a group of dedicated entrepreneurs in 1997, Communitech is Waterloo Region’s hub for the commercialization of innovative technologies. Over the years, they have supported and helped build a tech cluster of nearly 1,000 companies that now generates more than $30 billion in revenue.
Event: Certified ScrumMaster – Waterloo
When: February 18 – 19, 2015 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: 475 King Street North, Waterloo
Price: $1400.00
Halton Events
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 has 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: IOS Developers Peer-2-Peer
When: February 3, 2015
Where: Fortino’s Community Room, Applyby Line & Dundas, Burlington
HalTech is the leading source of support and personal service for tech and advanced manufacturing entrepreneurs in Halton. They assist Halton’s entrepreneurs and technology companies with developing their ideas, commercializing their products/services and establishing and expanding their businesses.
Event: You’re Social – Now What?
When: February 26, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where:TBD
Price: Free
Hamilton Events
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.
Event: Sales Peer2Peer – Video Marketing
When: February 3, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: 175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton
Price: Free
Software Hamilton covers the Hamilton, Ontario technology and startup community.
Event: Arduino Workshop
When: February 7, 2015, (time to be announced)
Where: McMaster University – ITB A113, 1280 Main Street West Hamilton
Price: $75.00
Niagara Events
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Businesses in Niagara are looking for leadership to address the real issues that are facing businesses and communities in Niagara. After extensive discussion and research the decision was made by a group of business people to create the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. The goal is that this organization can bring together business leaders who are ready to help position Niagara’s economy for the 21st Century.
Event: Brock CIMEE – Developing, implementing, and evaluation a strategic sales program
When: February 12, 2015, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Chamber Education Centre, One St. Paul St., Suite 106, St. Catharines
Price: $249.00
Startup Drinks
Startup Drinks provides an open space for entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect and share ideas. The event includes a handful of pitches from local startups, and opportunities to meet and network with attendees.
Event: Startup Drinks Niagara
When: February 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Mahtay Cafe, 241 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON
Are we missing any startup or small business events? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
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