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: February 19, 2014, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: KW Hotel Grand Ballroom, 105 King St E Kitchener
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: The Power in Negotiation
When: February 27, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ron Joyce Centre, 4350 South Service Rd 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 will be speaking at this event.
Event: Sales Peer 2 Peer: stuck between a rock and sales
When: February 5, 2014, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: 175 Longwood Rd South, Hamilton Ontario
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 4, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Chainsaw, 28 King Street North, Waterloo
Event: Startup Drinks Hamilton
When: February 10, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Winking Judge, 25 Augusta Street, Hamilton
Event: Startup Drinks Toronto
When: February 19, 2014, 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.
Event: SoloPreneur Peer-2-Peer #32
When: February 20, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Hampton Restaurant, Quality Suites Hotel, Oakville (Bronte & QEW)
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: Tax and Cash Flow: Ensure Your Business is Profitable (Start a Business Seminar Series)
When: Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Building Brands Inspired by Heritage, Craftmanship and Innovation
When: February 6, 2014, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: 77 Adelaide St W (4th Floor)
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: #InBoundTO 13: Developing the Marketing Leader within You (Meetup)
When: February 20, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: TBD (check website for details)
Neighbours getting together to learn something, do something, share something. Search meetups or organize your own.
Event: The Human Side of Social Media Analytics with @JimSterne
When: February 26, 2014, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: 22 Cumberland St. Toronto
This great 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 (see bottom of page for event details)
When: February 17, 2014
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West, Toronto
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. Venture Accelerator Partners’ Mark Elliott will be speaking at this event.
Event: Entrepreneurship 101: B2B Sales
When: February 5, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 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.
Featured Event: Startup Drinks
When: February 26,, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Where: 241 St. Paul Street, St Catherines (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: DemoCampHamilton15
When: February 4, 2014, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Mohawk College, The Arnie Pub, 135 Fennel Ave W, Hamilton ON
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.
