Creating a business network at home and abroad
City introduces the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre Pilot Program
Vaughan is expanding its services for companies doing business in the City by building an innovation support network focused on increasing export activity, promoting foreign investment and creating jobs. The Vaughan International Commercialization Centre (VICC) is a pilot program launched during a Small Business Week event at City Hall today. It will assist small- and medium-sized companies grow their market share locally and internationally.
Through the VICC, organizations will benefit from a series of pilot programs and educational seminars. These programs include:
- Soft Landing Program – this is a network that will allow businesses within the VICC to collaborate and share resources. The program includes soft landing sites such as office space, boardrooms, workshops, and meeting spaces within companies, not-for-profits, institutions, and business associations in Vaughan and international markets, including Israel, China and Italy.
- Matchmaking Program – this draws from an established network of local and international resources to create meaningful connections to the private sector, not-for-profit organizations and public-sector institutions to facilitate access to innovative technologies, market channels, funding opportunities and mentorship.
- Test City Program – this is designed to attract foreign investment. When a company is looking to expand into Canada, clients will have the opportunity to test technology through the powerful VICC network. PowerStream, Canada’s Wonderland, CN Rail and Kortright Centre are some of Vaughan’s leading companies that have agreed to be a part of this program to provide investors with an opportunity to test and showcase their products with the goal of doing business in the City.
With the support of ambassadors who are subject matter experts – including accountants, auditors, lawyers, communications firms, marketers, professors and consultants – businesses will get personal support navigating new markets and growing within a network of established organizations.
QUOTE
“The Vaughan International Commercialization Centre is another example of the Vaughan advantage and our goal to become a world-class city. This pilot project is an opportunity for our business community to embrace the many programs available to them and increase their reach both locally and internationally. As a city that promotes innovation and opportunity at every level, it will help our businesses reach beyond our borders and embrace the global marketplace.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- The VICC already has 105 businesses signed up to participate.
- Keiretsu Forum – a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. – the company responsible for Israel’s Iron Dome – are two major companies part of the VICC.
- Small Business Week takes place in Vaughan from Oct. 19-23.
- Vaughan is home to more than 10,900 businesses, employing 194,900 people, and is the largest employment centre in York Region.
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