Startup and Small Business Events Happening in March 2016

business eventsEvery 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

RIC Centre

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: Entrepreneur Workshop on Pitching to Investors
When: March 08 and 15, 2016, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: RIC CentreXerox Research Centre of Canada, 2660 Speakman Drive, Mississauga
Price: $50.00

Camp Tech

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.

Event: Online Marketing with Google Adwords
When: March 09, 2016, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Price: $85.00

Lading Learning Code

Have you taken our HTML and CSS workshop? Looking to expand your web-development skills? Wonder what all this CSS3 stuff is about? CSS is a powerful language used to create layout and design for web pages. Without CSS, the web would not be as pretty!

Event: WordPress for Beginners
When: March 19, 2016, 10:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: HackerYou, 483 Queen Street West, 3rd floor, Toronto
Price: $55.00

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 21, 2016, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Rhino, 1249 Queen Street West (Queen & Dufferin), Toronto
Price: Free

Newcomer Start-ups: Building a Successful Business

Hear about the experiences of successful newcomer entrepreneurs and gain practical tips. Learn about programs, services and supports to help you start your business. Have the opportunity to network with experts and other newcomer entrepreneurs

When: March 22, 2016, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: MaRS Centre, Room CR3, 101 College Street, Toronto

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.

Event: MaRS Entrepreneur’s Toolkit- Starting Lean: Value Proposition
When: March 22 & 29, 2016, 8:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto
Price: $100.00

Toronto Board of Trade

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: Make Them Notice: Supercharging Your Sales and Marketing Outreach
When: March 23, 2016, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Toronto Region Board of Trade, Downtown Centre, 77 Adelaide Street West Entrance, Toronto
Price: Free

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: Ask-the-Expert – Digital Marketing with Yellow Pages
When: March 24, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, Enterprise Toronto Office, Toronto
Price: Free

Inbound Toronto

Inbound Marketing Toronto is a monthly meetup focused on hot topics in the world of inbound marketing. The meetup hosts experts in the fields of Digital Marketing, SEO & Local SEO, Social Media, UX Design, Graphic Design, PPC, CRO, CRM, Email Marketing, Content Marketing, Start-up Founders, and more.

Event: #InboundTO 34: Enterprise SEO Panel
When: March 24, 2016, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Powered by Search, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 400, Toronto
Price: $10.00

Waterloo Region events

Velocity
Velocity is a leading entrepreneurship program at the University of Waterloo, and the largest free startup incubator in North America. From idea to product creation to commercialization, Velocity is committed to providing the knowledge, tools, space and network that startups and entrepreneurs need for success.

Event: Velocity Start: How to Find Your Customers Online
When: March 02, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Velocity Start (2nd floor, South Campus Hall), 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo
Price: Free

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: Startup Business Basics
When: March 10, 2016, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo
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: Sales Manager’s Handbook
In this interactive session we will review the components on the Sales Manager’s Handbook including value proposition, handling objections, communications plan, using the CRM, goals, and much more.
When: March 15, 2016, 8:00 a.m.
Where: Accelerator Centre, 295 Hagey Blvd., Waterloo

Halton Events

Silicon Halton

Silicon Halton organizes a number of events throughout the year in the region Halton which including Burlington, Oakville, and Milton. These events are catered to anyone at a startup – especially in the tech industry – that want to learn more about business best practices.

Event: Social Media: A Bird’s Eye View On What’s Coming Next
When: March 04, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Milton Education Village Innovation Centre. 555 Industrial Drive, Milton
Price: Free

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: Choosing the Right Project Management Tool to Optimize Delivery
When: March 29, 2016, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Ron Joyce Centre at DeGroote, 4350 South Service Road, Burlington
Price: Free

Hamilton Events

Software Hamilton

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

Event: SURGE – Pitch Training Camp
When: March 10, 2016, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Mohawk College, 135 Fennel Avenue West, Hamilton
Price: Free

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: Social Networking for Success – LinkedIn for Early Stage Companies
When: March 11, 2016, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: McMaster Innovation Park, Innovation Factory, 175 Longwood Road South, #101a, Hamilton
Price: Free

Guelph Events

Innovation Guelph 

Innovation Guelph provides educational programs, events, and services to help entrepreneurs, community organizations, researchers and business leaders develop ideas. Here, expert advisors can also help your development.

Event: Ignite. Empower. Innovate 2016
When: March 08 & 09, 2016
Where: Innovation Guelph – 111 Farquhar Street, 3rd Floor, Guelph
Price: $75.00 – $175.00

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. 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
When: March 09, 2016, 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Chamber Education Centre, 1 Street Paul Street Suite 106, St. Catharines
Price: $30.00

Innovate Niagara

Innovate Niagara is a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, a network of regional and provincial not-for-profit organizations that deliver services and programs to help entrepreneurs succeed.

Event: Learn@Lunch: Power of Professional Communications
When: February 10, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, 425 Carlton 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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Startup and Small Business Events Happening in March 2016