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
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: Marketing & Sales Boot Camp
When: June 2, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., Lower Level, Council Chambers
Price: $15.00
Camp Tech is a tech skills training hub. They provide half and full-day in-person workshops for adults who want to learn web and digital skills. They 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. Offering approximately 75 workshops a year in Toronto, and have recently expanded into Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener/Waterloo.
Event: Photoshop for Beginners
When: June 2, 2015, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Price: $85.00
Unbounce was developed after experiencing first hand the frustration of trying to get effective landing pages launched for our own online marketing campaigns. It’s important to get things done quickly in marketing, a task made more difficult when you have to rely upon I.T. resources who have their own priorities and processes. We also realized that I.T. doesn’t relish the idea of having to drop everything to develop a landing page. By giving marketers control over their landing pages, everybody wins.
Event: Unbounce Conversion Road Trip – Toronto
When: June 3, 2015, 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West, Toronto
Price: Price: $149.00
As the Entrepreneur and Innovation Hub for Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, the RIC Centre offers a comprehensive range of support services to entrepreneurs for free, including mentorship and advisory services, hands-on workshops and networking events.
Event: Growing Your Business: Disruptive Business Models and Growth Hacking
When: June 4, 2015
Where: Xerox Research Centre of Canada, 2660 Speakman Drive, Mississauga
Price: $25.00
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: The Art of Storytelling with Mark Evans – MaRS Best Practices
When: June 11, 2015, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m
Where: MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto
Price: $15.00
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: HTML & CSS for Beginners
When: June 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Lab, 483 Queen Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto
Price: $55.00
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: Drive Customer Loyalty through New Insights
When: June 15, 2015, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Centre, 1 First Canadian Place, 4th Floor, Toronto
Price: $45 for Members; $65 for Non-members
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: June 15, 2015, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West (Queen & Dufferin), Toronto
Price: Free
Data Unconference
The Data Unconference is a one-day event showcasing the latest tools, trends, and techniques in the field of data — from Open Data projects to Big Data for the Corporate Soul. As an Unconference, the day is by the community, for the community, with speakers coming from within the ranks of those working with the tools daily and sharing what they’ve learned with others.
When: June 19, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: BrightLane, 545 King Street West, Toronto
Price: $10.00
With over 15 years of experience delivering cutting-edge digital marketing events around the world, ClickZ Live (formerly SES Conference & Expo) provides the latest tips, tricks and tools to help you revolutionize your marketing campaigns. Crafted by their award-winning content team and industry-leading publications ClickZ and Search Engine Watch, the agenda focuses on the latest and most relevant topics to advance your skills.
When: June 23 – 25, 2015
Where: Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel 525 Bay St, Toronto
Price: $595.00
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 community by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing businesses.
Event: Marketing 101
When: June 2, 2015, 2:00 p.m.
Where: 200 King ST W., Kitchener
Price: $20.00
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: Million Dollar Mark
As the founding CEO of Eloqua, Mark Organ recently sold the company for $871M. Now the CEO of Influitive, it’s safe to say he knows something about B2B sales and marketing. On June 4, have lunch with Mark. Listen as he shares his thoughts about fundraising, category creation, and how to launch and scale companies.
When: June 4, 2015, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Tannery Event Centre, 151 Charles St W Kitchener
Price: Free
Halton Events
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: Grow Your List Under the new Canada Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
When: June 9, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: TBD
Price: Free
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: Silicon Halton Solopreneur Peer2Peer
When: June 13, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Hampton’s Restaurant, Quality Suites Hotel, 754 Bronte Road, Oakville
Price: Free
Hamilton Events
WordCamps are conferences that focus on everything WordPress. They’re informal and community organized, and are a great way to learn new skills and connect with others in the community.
When: June 6, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton
Price: $20.00
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: Innovation Night Showdown 2015
When: June 18, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: 175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton
Price: Free
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: Business Breakfast Before Nine-Where the Speaker is YOU!
When: June 17, 2015, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: The Host, 106 Lakeport Rd., St. Catharines
Price: $25.00
Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre – Marketing and Advertising
The Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre runs a variety of events geared towards both new start-up businesses as well as existing businesses. This 2 hour seminar will describe marketing techniques that are critical to the success of your business. Marketing has many dimensions, including market research, customer service, advertising, targeting, packaging, pricing, and e-marketing. Investing in a good marketing plan will generate excellent returns and provide long-term benefits to your business.
When: June 17, 2015, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: City of Niagara Falls, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls
Price: $20.00
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.
When: June 24, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Mahtay Cafe, 241 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
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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