Reminder: City hosting ventureLAB orientation
Vaughan Business Café
to help strengthen professional networks
The City
of Vaughan’s Economic and Cultural Development (ECD) department and ventureLAB
will host a free orientation session on support services for tech companies in
Vaughan this Friday, Feb. 22 at Vaughan City Hall. For more information and to
register, visit vaughan.ca/VBEC.
First
announced during the City’s 17th annual Vaughan Business Expo and Creative
Industries Summit 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 startups 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.
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.
Participants
networked with peers and market leaders throughout the expo. Business owners
were among the 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 provides one-stop services
including access to professional information, resources, training and hands-on
assistance to start or grow a venture.
-30-