Small Business

Local teens growing own businesses

21 July 2026

Small-business support program is seeing record interest, with the York Small Business Enterprise Centre reporting that 2026 applications have tripled compared with 2025

Young entrepreneurs display business prowess through Summer Company initiative

17 July 2026

“We got a lot of applications this year, which shows that young entrepreneurs are really looking into this as a career option,” says Eva Lee, Small Business Consultant, with the York Small Business Enterprise Centre.

York Region’s young entrepreneurs showcase their summer startups

8 July 2026

The Summer Company program helps students aged 15 to 29 start and run businesses over the summer by providing mentorship, training and financial support. The next Summer Company program showcase will be held on July 17 at Upper Canada Mall.

York Region Agri-Food Startup Program Success Story: Gathered & Served

30 June 2026

From family recipes to a growing food business, Marija Mijovic, founder of Gathered & Served is turning comfort food into a community movement.

Markham manufacturer highlights AI, automation push as Ontario expands $5M digital business funding. Here’s how companies can apply

22 May 2026

The additional $5-million investment in the Digital Competence Centre (DCC) was announced May 20 at Sable Metal Fabrication in Markham by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Ontario investing $5 million to help small businesses adopt digital technologies

21 May 2026

The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect workers and support small and medium-sized businesses with an additional $5 million to expand the Digital Competence Centre (DCC).

Students learning new ways of thinking through York University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program

17 March 2026

York’s Markham Campus provides a hands-on environment where students build an entrepreneurial mindset.

Newmarket studio offers tools to help bring creative projects to life

19 January 2026

Recently opened Cedar Studios offers a mind-blowing variety of services, including a production facility to bring audio and visual projects to life.

Building on success, York University launches The YSpace Network

6 November 2025

Canadian innovation is getting a major boost with York University’s exciting new initiative: The YSpace Network.

Black entrepreneur selling her products at a marketplace event

Support Black-owned businesses in York Region on October 25

7 October 2025

Join us at Upper Canada Mall at the one-day business expo and marketplace showcasing over 20 Black-owned small businesses in York Region!

Ontario boosting training for entrepreneurs through the $5-million 2025-26 RAISE grant program

10 September 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 RAISE program, where participants will receive free online business development training from DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University — one of Canada’s leading business incubators — and a one-time grant of $10,000 upon successful completion.

A collage of images of Summer Company student entrepreneurs at the Aurora Street Festival

Shop local and meet York Region student entrepreneurs at the Summer Company Showcase!

26 June 2025

Discover how local students turned big ideas into real businesses and find unique products and services while you’re at it!

Richmond Hill teen cuts food waste by selling ‘short-dated’ snacks to consumers who care about the planet

5 June 2025

Brighton Ng is from Hong Kong, where a company called GreenPrice sells mostly packaged food close to its best before date (BBD) for 30 to 70 per cent off. He wondered if he could do the same thing in Canada with “short-dated” food — and it turns out he can.