Helping local business reach higher

Feb. 15, 2019 4:00 p.m.
City hosts ventureLAB orientation, launches Vaughan Business Café
 
As part of Vaughan’s steadfast commitment to help aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses innovate, compete and create well-paying jobs, the City’s Economic and Cultural Development (ECD) department and ventureLAB will host a free orientation session on support services for tech companies in Vaughan on Friday, Feb. 22.
 
First announced during the City’s 17th annual Vaughan Business Expo on Tuesday Feb. 5, the ECD department has partnered with ventureLAB – an organization that actively helps grow technology businesses in York Region and the Greater Toronto Area –on a three-month pilot to provide startup and commercialization services specifically in the technology space in Vaughan. ventureLAB advisors mentor individuals in the areas of capital, talent and technology.
 
The City’s ventureLAB orientation is suitable for businesses at all stages of growth. The agenda will include more about the mandate and services of ventureLAB; insights on important business and stakeholder partners in the growing and competitive tech ecosystem; and information on different programs and opportunities to support start-ups and established businesses compete. Attendees will be asked to prepare a 30-second introduction on their company. Pitches should be formulated around the following criteria: identifying the company’s customer; articulating problems; offering solutions; and discussing the stage of business. ventureLAB advisors will also be available onsite for individual meetings. For more information and to register, visit vaughan.ca/business.
 
During the expo, the ECD department also launched the new Vaughan Business Café, an online platform for businesses to connect with collaborators, mentors and advisors. Members can register for free for the café. Once online, they can search for public profiles and make introductions based on their stated areas of expertise and needs. Connecting with peers is a signature service offered by the ECD department. 
 
More than 500 participants networked with peers and market leaders throughout the expo. Local business owners were among the more than 100 different exhibitors who showcased their cutting-edge products and services during the tradeshow. The expo was held in conjunction with the inaugural Creative Industries Summit, which brought together industry leaders, artists and citizens to brainstorm new and innovative ideas. These insights will formulate the City’s first-ever creative industries strategy and unleash the potential of this important job-creation sector.
 
Within the ECD department, the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC) provides one-stop services including access to professional information, resources, training and hands-on assistance to start or grow a venture.
 
QUOTE
 
“Much of the success and economic prosperity our city has experienced over the past eight years may be attributed to our hard-working, driven and inspiring entrepreneurs who choose Vaughan to build their thriving businesses. Small business remains the backbone of our globally competitive economy, representing more than 80 per cent of all Vaughan job creators. As Mayor, I take immense pride in knowing that the City remains a trusted, sought after and important partner for local professionals to realize and pursue their aspirations and to reach higher. I invite and encourage the professional community to take part in the ventureLAB orientation.”
-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • Small business is a major contributor to the local economy. Two-thirds of all Vaughan business establishments employed fewer than 10 people in 2018.
  • In 2018, the VBEC responded to more than 4,000 public inquiries regarding startups or expansions, delivered more than 1,000 consultations and helped more than 230 businesses start or grow.
  • Vaughan leads with an employment growth rate of four per cent­­ – far outpacing Ontario and Canada.
  • Since 2010, more than 60,000 new jobs have been created in Vaughan.
  • The city has the highest employment in York Region.
  • Vaughan is home to over 12,000 businesses that employ more than 222,000 people.
 
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