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(s).
 

TORONTO EVENTS

Women in Biz Network
WIBN connects and empowers entrepreneurial and professional women through membership, mentorship, workshops, conferences and online learning. We have a strong online and in-person community that support each other in the pursuit of finding balance while growing within their professional business lives and ventures.
Event: Use your Smart Phone to Increase Sales & Productivity
When: December 1, 2016, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: CFIB Conference Centre – 4141 Yonge St, North York, ON
Price: Free

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: MaRS Sales ABC Workshop
This workshop will help you create a sales script and define a successful process for landing your first customers and keeping them engaged for further opportunities.
When: December, 2, 9 and 15, 2016, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 101 College Street MaRS Discovery District, Toronto, ON
Price: $100.00

Toronto Reference Library
Event: Doing Market Research Online
Learn how Scott’s Business Directories Online, article databases and other online sources can help you with market research for your small business.
When: December 3, 2016, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON
Price: Free

Start-up Toronto
Startup Toronto is a grass roots entrepreneur-led community of Startup Canada. We connect our members to the startup ecosystem in Toronto, foster a supportive home for all entrepreneurs, and provide programs and tools that help accelerate business growth.
Event: Digital Media Strategy Workshop
When: December 5, 2016, 2016, 5:30 p.m.
Where: The BrightLane Building, 545 King St W. (between Bathurst St. and Spadina Ave.), Toronto, ON
Price: $15.00

TechToronto
Each month, TechToronto Meetup is designed for Toronto technologists to learn something new and meet someone new. You’ll learn something new from one of our 5x5s, or five presentations of five minutes each.
Event: TechToronto Meetup + Afterparty
When: December 5, 2016, 6:00 p.m.
Where: RBC WaterPark Place Auditorium, 88 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto, ON
Price: $12.00

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: Marketing Insights for the Rest of the Organization
If everyone within an organization approached their roles with a slight marketing twist, organizations would not only generate stronger financial results today, their customers would continue to come back year after year, strengthening their future.
When: December 6, 2016, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Toronto Region Board of Trade, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON
Price: Members – $25.00; Non-members – $35.00

Brain Station Toronto
Founded in 2012 by a group of lifelong learners, BrainStation began as a collective of industry practitioners providing collaborative, hands-on training for working professionals, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Event: #InstaMeetTO | A Panel Discussion on Everything Instagram
When: December 7, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 460 King Street West Toronto, ON
Price: $45.00

RIC Centre
As the Entrepreneur and Innovation Hub for Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, co-located with industry partners Xerox Research Centre of Canada and GreenCentre Canada, 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: Startup Boot Camp
When: December 7, 2016, 8:30am -12:00 p.m.
Where: Xerox Research Centre of Canada, 2660 Speakman Drive, Mississauga, ON
Price: Free

StartupTech Unleashed Inc.
StartupTech Unleashed Inc was created by the need of new and existing business startups to help them foster growth and to nurture their idea from the ideation stage to global domination. We will be focusing on Startup, Tech & Social Innovation.
Event: StartupTech Unleashed Meetup
When: December 7, 2016, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: VerkSpace, 32 Britain Street, Suite 100, 4th Floor Toronto, ON
Price: $10.00

Ladies Learning Code
Ladies Learning Code is a Canada wide not-for-profit organization providing women the opportunity to learn beginner-friendly technical skills in a social and collaborative way.
Event: WordPress for Beginners: Create Your Own WordPress Theme
When: December 7 and 14, 2016, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: HackerYou, 483 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Price: $55.00

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: Intro to Email Marketing with Mailchimp
When: December 8, 2016, 2016, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: 639 Queen Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON
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: Digital Marketing Boot Camp
Attend this seminar and learn more about the new trends in digital marketing and your five essential tools for creating a great online presence.
When: Dec. 15, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., Main Level, Enterprise Toronto Resource Centre, ON
Price: $25.00
 

WATERLOO REGION EVENTS

Entrepreneurship Society Mixer
Have a budding entrepreneurial spirit, work for a startup, or have already started your own company? Want to celebrate the end of a fantastic term for entrepreneurship right before exams? This event is for you. Join the Entrepreneurship Society for their mixer that brings together the best of Kitchener-Waterloo’s entrepreneurial spirit for an evening of networking, food, and drinks.
When: December 1, 2016, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m
Where: Shopify Plus Office, 57 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON
Price: Free

IABC Waterloo
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication.
Event: Coding for Communicators
When: December 1, 2016, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: OpenText Building 1, 275 Frank Tompa Drive, Auditorium, Waterloo, ON
Price: $20.00

Digital Communications Networking Breakfast
Let’s get together as communications professionals and business owners to discuss and learn about online marketing. Kitchener / Waterloo has an amazing tech sector, but what about small businesses that aren’t so techy? This networking breakfast gives business owners and digital media experts an opportunity to mingle and meet.
When: December 2, 2016, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Proof Kitchen and Lounge in the Delta Hotel, 110 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON
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 community by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing businesses.
Event: Startup Business Basics
When: December 7, 2016 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 200 King ST W., Kitchener, ON
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: Recruiting and Hiring for Sales
When: December 13, 2016, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Communitech Hub, 151 Charles Street West, (EDC room, on the main floor behind the Manulife Lab) , Kitchener, ON
Price: Free
 

HALTON EVENTS

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: Finance & Funding Meetup
When: December 1, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Goldstar Café, 350 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, ON
Price: Free

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: Networking Un-Meetup
When: December 13, 2916, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Ivy Bar+Kitchen, 3330 South Service Road, Burlington, ON
Price: Free

Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Since 1947, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in Burlington, giving companies valuable resources and connections to help them grow and succeed.
Event: The Business Before 9
When: December 14, 2016, 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m
Where: 5401 Lakeshore Rd. (between Appleby Line & Burloak Dr), Burlington, ON
Price: TBA
 

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: Sales Planning for the New Year
Join VA Partners Co-founder Mark Elliott in an interactive session that will cover the creation of a sales plan around customers, prospects, offerings, people, forecasting, aligning sales and marketing, and creating a plan with goals.
When: December 14, 2016, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON
Price: Free

Software Hamilton
Software Hamilton covers the Hamilton, Ontario technology and startup community.
Event: WordPress Meetup
When: December 15, 2016, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: CoMotion on King, 115 King St East, Hamilton, ON
Price: Free
 

GUELPH EVENTS

Guelph Business Networking Lunch
Organized by Darryl Campbell and Bonnie Lambert are Regional Managers and Small Business Trainers with LegalShield.
When: December 13, 2016, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fionn MacCool’s , 494 Edinburgh Rd S., N/E corner of Stone and Edinburgh, Guelph, ON
Price: $15.00

Startup Drinks III
Startup Drinks is back by popular demand for the third year in a row! A collaboration between the Centre for Business and Student Enterprise at the University of Guelph (CBaSE) and Innovation Guelph, it’s a simple concept: enjoy a beverage and connect with Guelph’s entrepreneurial community.
When: December 28, 2016, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Brass Taps, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, University Centre, Guelph, ON
Price: Free
 

NIAGARA EVENT

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: Event: Business After 5
When: December 5. 2016, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Ed Learn Ford, 375 Ontario St., St. Catharines, ON
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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