The York Region Startup & Innovation Ecosystem
This centralized online space allows startups and innovators to explore resources to help their companies grow, find shared office space, job opportunities, discover business events, and read exciting news coming from the innovation ecosystem in York Region.
As one of Canada’s key innovation engines and an economic powerhouse, York Region is home to a unique and exceptionally diverse network of accelerators, incubators, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations.
While innovation spans all industries, new tech is the catalyst for driving change. The #YRtech ecosystem in York Region is home to over 4,900 ICT companies; one of the largest tech hubs in Canada.
This makes York Region the place where talent and opportunity intersect for startups and innovators alike.
York Region is home to many organizations with a mission to help businesses succeed. From makerspaces helping create product prototypes, to business incubators providing support and guidance, or shared workspaces giving entrepreneurs a place to work, we’ve compiled them all here in one quick and easy-to-use resource.
Support Organizations
Research Centres, Innovation Hubs, & Incubators
ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading technology hub that supports tech entrepreneurs and companies through programs focused on capital, talent, technology, and customers to build, grow, and scale their businesses.
YSpace
YSpace innovation hubs create an environment that encourages collaboration for optimal growth opportunities. It includes accelerator programs focused on tech, food & beverage, women and black-led startups.
Treefrog Accelerator provides programs for both international and local startups that help them to focus and scale their businesses.
York University’s commercialization and industry liaison office providing an integral suite of services to industry, to facilitate research and commercialization.
Seneca Polytechnic Innovation
Seneca Polytechnic Innovation supports applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship activities that help community well-being and the economy. We provide practical solutions to real-world, technical and business challenges.
FACE Coalition
FACE is a national and bilingual Black-led non-profit organisation focused on providing resources and information to the Black community across Canada with the aim of accelerating wealth creation for Canadians of African descent.
Environmental, renewable energy education and demonstration site. Living City Campus offers research and analysis of sustainable technologies. BRE Innovation Park will accelerate commercialization of green building products and services.
Scientists from the University of Guelph and partners conduct research on crop protection and production for improved pest & crop management.
Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill
Scientists from the University of Toronto provide research and education in biodiversity, ecology and conservation biology.
York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) is recognized as a leader in entrepreneurship education and training, offering a range of options for entrepreneurs to reach their educational and growth goals.
Funding & Investment
BDC
Provides small business loans (online application), financing for larger projects and business consultation services.
Ontario Centre of Innovation
OCI co-invests with private sector to commercialize innovation from universities, colleges and research hospitals.
Southlake Futures CFDC
Providing loans, counselling, and innovation grants to businesses in East Gwillimbury, Georgina, and Brock.
York Angel Investors
York Angel Investors Inc. is a non-profit organization promotes private investment in early-stage innovative businesses. It is one of the largest and most active Angel Investor groups in Canada.
Makerspaces & Prototyping Services
NewMakeIT
NewMakeIt is a non-profit and consists of a makerspace, co-working area and interactive training and workshop facilities in a collaborative environment.
Proto3000
Proto3000 provides various 3D printers. Services include 3D engineering, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, reverse engineering, 3D visualization and inspection services.
YLab
Y Lab is a volunteer, non-profit and offers makerspace memberships. For event information: ylab meetup.com. Also offers a robotics group.
Hardware Catalyst Initiative
ventureLAB’s Hardware Catalyst Initiative is Canada’s only hardware and semiconductor-focused lab and incubator. The state-of-the-art lab has specialized equipment for product developers.
Agri-Food
Foodpreneur Lab
Foodpreneur Lab is dedicated to helping early-start up food companies, particularly women of colour entrepreneurs.
YSpace
YSpace created Ontario’s first Food & Beverage Accelerator in 2019 to help scale high growth consumer packaged goods ventures in the food and beverage space.
York Region Food Network
Community cooks training, community gardens, food food box, and food access.
BioEnterprise
Provides customized business advisory services, industry and technical expertise, and global connections to advance innovative agri-businesses.
Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre
Small-batch food-processing facility with a commercial kitchen, food testing equipment and business consulting services.
The Food Development Group
Product development, shelf life testing, nutritional labelling, and project management.
Venturepark Labs
This food incubator offers shared commercial kitchens and private production spaces to meet the needs of early stage food companies.
Clearwater Farm
One of our primary goals is to educate the next generation of children and youth about farming and sustainable farming practices.
The Link
The Link is a collaborative, community, learning space that brings together people and organizations under one roof.
Networking
Aurora Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Central York Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Georgina Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
King Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Markham Board of Trade
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Richmond Hill Board of Trade
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Vaughan Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
Greater Stouffville Chamber
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the business community.
TechConnex
Member-driven community offering opportunities for peer education, networking and knowledge sharing.
Business Women’s Network of York Region
Member-driven association that promotes, develops and fosters interests of the women-led business community.
Small Business Enterprise Centres
Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre
One-stop service for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Markham. The SBEC provides business consultations and information on management, marketing and sales, technology, and finance. Plus they offer seminars, webinars, and business development workshops.
Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre
One-stop service for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Richmond Hill. The SBEC provides business consultations and information on management, marketing and sales, technology, and finance. Plus they offer seminars, webinars, and business development workshops.
Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre
One-stop service for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Richmond Hill. The VBEC provides business consultations and information on management, marketing and sales, technology, and finance. Plus they offer seminars, webinars, and business development workshops.
York Small Business Enterprise Centre
One-stop service for entrepreneurs and small business owners in York Region’s northern six towns. The YSBEC provides business consultations and information on management, marketing and sales, technology, and finance. Plus they offer seminars, webinars, and business development workshops.
Public Libraries
Aurora Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
East Gwillimbury Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Georgina Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
King Township Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Markham Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Newmarket Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Stouffville Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Richmond Hill Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Vaughan Public Library
Public libraries offer a variety of business supports including research, 3D printing, and other small business learning opportunities. Multiple branches may exist within each city or town.
Explore Shared Workspaces
Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket, & Stouffville
NewMakeIT
Markham
The Markham Centre
Richmond Hill
Vaughan
Keele Rutherford Centre
Career & Workforce Development Tools
We’ve partnered with the Workforce Planning Board of York Region to bring you exciting new interactive tools. These tools will assist companies in learning more about talent present in York Region. Job seekers can leverage the general and tech-focused job board to find new career opportunities in the place where talent and opportunity intersect!
Innovation Events
Innovation Ecosystem Partners
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