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 few of the organizations listed host a number of great events, but we’ve chosen to feature one event that we feel will be particularly useful.
The events we focus on are in Toronto and across Southwestern Ontario. The events may sell out fast, so if you’re interested in attending please contact the organization to register quickly. If you’re hosting an event or have come across one you think should be included here, feel free to contact us by email or social media with your suggestions.
Founded by a group of dedicated entrepreneurs in 1997, Communitech is Waterloo Region’s hub for the commercialization of innovative technologies. Over the years, we have supported and helped build a tech cluster of nearly 1,000 companies that now generates more than $30 billion in revenue.
Event: Upstart Breakfast Series
When: December 11, 2013, at 7:30 a.m.
Where: 151 Charles St W, Kitchener, Tannery Event Centre & Communitech Hub
HalTech’s mission is to act as a catalyst for innovation and commercialization by delivering services to help Halton-based enterprises start, grow and succeed.
Event: N2K Finance: Tax Planning for Entrepreneurs
When: December 9, 2013, 3:00 p.m.
Where: 4350 South Service Road, Burlington
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 regularly involved in planning the Innovation Factory’s Sales Peer-to-Peer events.
Event: Marketing Strategies & Social Media
When: December 17, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
Where: 71 Main St W, Hamilton
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: December 3, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Chainsaw, 28 King Street North, Waterloo
Event: Startup Drinks Hamilton
When: December 5, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Winking Judge, 25 Augusta Street, Hamilton
Event: Startup Drinks Toronto
When: December 18, 2013, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Hotel Ocho, 195 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
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.
Featured Event: Solopreneur Peer-to-Peer Meetup #30
When: December 19, 2013, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Burlington HiVE
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: Marketing & Operations: How to Get and Keep Customers
When: December 17, 2013
Where: Visit the TBDC website for more information
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: Annual Holiday Networking Luncheon
When: December 18, 2013, 11:30 a.m.
Where: First Canadian Place
Inbound Marketing Toronto is a monthly meetup group that focuses its discussion on hot topics within the world of Inbound Marketing. It brings together Digital Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Content Marketing, Media Relations, Start-up Founders, and Online Business Development professionals.
Event: #InBound TO Meetup
When: December 19, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: BNOTIONS Office, 106 Front Street East, Suite 200
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: Pitching to Entrepreneurs – Entrepreneurs Toolkit
When: December 9 – 16, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, Toronto
Software Niagara was started in 2012 with the goal of organizing technology and startup events to build a community that fostered innovation and excellence in the Niagara region.
Event: Software Coworking
When: December 9, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Where: 241 St. Paul Street, St Catherine’s (Mahtay Café)
Software Hamilton was created with the aim of uniting the Greater Hamilton software community. Software Hamilton organizes several monthly events including DemoCamp Hamilton and Startup Drinks. They operate under the belief that software development is a creative skill which can provide relatively clean, high-paying jobs with work that can make the world a better place to live.
Event: Startup Drinks
When: December 11, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Winking Judge, 25 Agusta St, Hamilton ON
ventureLAB and York University
On December 9-11, the biggest names in the Lean Startup world, plus dozens of terrific speakers you don’t know with must-hear advice, and more than a thousand entrepreneurs will gather at The Lean Startup Conference in San Francisco.
Event: Lean Startup Conference
When: December 9, 2013, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 7271 Warden Ave, Markham
Youth Employment Services (YES) leads the Canadian youth sector with innovative programs that empower disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of society.
Event: Marketing and Financial Management
When: December 11, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
Where: 555 Richmond St W. Suite 711
Did we forget your event or an event you are 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.
