Startup and Small Business Events in March 2015

dx3Every 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

MaRS Discovery District

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: Business Model

When: March 2, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Room CR2 – MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto
Price: $100.00

Hubspot

HubSpot was founded in 2006 as a result of a simple observation: people have transformed how they live, work, shop, and buy, but businesses have not adapted. With our powerful, easy to use, integrated set of applications, businesses can attract, engage, and delight customers by delivering inbound experiences that are relevant, helpful, and personalized.

Event: Toronto HubSpot User Group: Inbound Marketing Week 2015
When: March 3, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: 135 Liberty St., Suite 401, Toronto
Price: Free

Camp Tech

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: SEO: How To Drive More Traffic To Your Website
When: March 3, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Price: $85.00

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: IdeaFEST for Women Entrepreneurs
When: March 3, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., Lower Level Council Chamber, Toronto
Price: $25.00

Ladies Learning to Code

If you are looking to get your feet wet when it comes to programming, then this is the workshop for you. HTML and CSS are the backbone of all websites, and knowledge of them is a necessity if you are interested in things like web development, creating marketing emails, or even blogging!

Event: Toronto HTML & CSS for Beginners: Learn to Build a One Page Website From Scratch
When: March 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Lab, 483 Queen Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto
Price: $55.00

TechToronto March Meetup

TechToronto Meetup is the heart of Toronto tech where you’ll connect with smart, fun, creative people from across the full spectrum of our tech community. Every month you’ll enjoy great food and drinks, learn about new companies doing cool things, laugh, smile, and have a fun night out.

Event: TechToronto March Meetup Toronto
When: March 9, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Telus House Executive Boardroom, 25 York Street, Toronto
Price: $10.00

Dx3 Canada

Dx3 is Canada’s largest conference and trade show dedicated to digital marketing, digital advertising and digital retail. It brings agencies, brands, publishers and retailers together for two days of networking and education.

Event: DX3 Canada 2015 – Digital Marketing, Advertising, and Retail Conference
When: March 11 – 12, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto
Price: Guest Pass (Exhibit) – Free; All-access Pass (Conference) – $449.00

Rails Pub Night

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: March 16, 2015, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West (Queen & Dufferin), Toronto

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 community by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing businesses.

Event: Startup Business Basics- Kitchener
When: March 4, 2015 10:00 a.m.
Where: 200 King ST W., Kitchener
Price: Free

Communitech

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:  Communitech Breakfast – Partnerships: the pros and the pitfalls
When: March 4, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo, 105 King Street East Kitchener
Price: Free for members, $40.00 for non-members

Halton Events

Silicon Halton

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: March 2015 (Exact Date to be Announced)
Where: Fortino’s Community Room, Applyby Line & Dundas, Burlington

HalTech

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: Entrepreneurs Toolkit: Spring Intensive Program
When: March 20, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: TBD
Price: $350

Hamilton Events

Innovation Factory

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 – Telling your story
When: March 4, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: 175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton
Price: Free

Software Hamilton

Software Hamilton covers the Hamilton, Ontario technology and startup community.

Event: Hacking Health Cafe
When: March 12, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Where: McMaster Innovation Park @ 175 Longwood South 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: Branding 101
When: March 24, 2015, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre, 2 North Service Road, St. Catharines
Price: Members: $25.00 + tax

Venture Niagara

Established as a not for profit corporation in 1985, Venture Niagara is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario. Venture Niagara invests in small and medium size businesses and carries out community development projects across rural Niagara.

Event: Business Seminar: What Lenders are Looking for
When: March 11, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: 20 Pine Street North Thorold
Price: Free

Are we missing any startup or small business events? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

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Startup and Small Business Events in March 2015