George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Global Entrepreneurship Week returns to George Brown Polytechnic!
From November 16-20, 2026, we will be bringing together students, alumni, entrepreneurs, mentors, industry leaders and the broader community for a week dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation and connection.
Hosted by startGBC, this year’s program will feature a dynamic lineup of entrepreneurship workshops, expert panels, fireside chats, networking opportunities and special events designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Some highlights of the week will be our Entrepreneurship Summit Day, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry experts and members of the innovation community for a full day of conversations, learning, connection and speed mentoring.
The week will also feature Pitch It GBP! 2026, giving George Brown Polytechnic students and recent graduates the opportunity to showcase their business and social innovation ideas for a prize pot of $15,000, and a Pop-Up Market, where student and alumni entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their products and services free of charge to the George Brown and Greater Toronto community.
Whether you are already building a business, exploring an idea, looking to expand your network or simply interested in entrepreneurship, Global Entrepreneurship Week offers plenty of opportunities to learn, connect, create and get involved.
Check out the amazing line up from GEW 2026!
The Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026 agenda at George Brown Polytechnic is now live and waiting for you to sign up!
Events
TDSB Mackenzie Cup Design Challenge
9:00 a.m., Monday, November 17, 2026 - Open to TDSB Registered Students Only
An exciting day of design challenges for students looking to build products. If you are a student at any Toronto District School Board school and would like to know more, then please check out the following link.
Holiday Season Pop-Up Marketplace at George Brown St. James Campus
10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - In-Person - Everybody Welcome - Free
Come to find the perfect gifts from George Brown Polytechnic student and alumni businesses. Operating from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the welcome lobby, 200 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 3W8. Free admission and open to anyone in the GTA.
startGBC Entrepreneurship Summit
Join us for a day of inspiration and learning. Open to all George Brown Polytechnic students, alumni and GTA community members interested in starting or scaling a business. An amazing agenda full of members from the entrepreneur ecosystem sharing valuable resources to help you take your thoughts from ideation to commercialization. Free of cost.
Agenda
12:00 - Land Acknowledgement/Opening Remarks
12:10 - Keynote Speaker – Theleepan Marcandu, CEO, Prestar
12:45 – GBP Resources to Support Businesses
startGBC, MKT X, Product Development Labs, IPON, MITACS and FIRSt
13:15 – The Funding Journey - Preparing Your Business to Scale
Funding your business is complex and usually takes time. Over two-thirds of Canadian startups start by bootstrapping, but then what? Come and listen to our panel of grant providers, debt and equity lenders, and learn the logical pathway of when each stage kicks in.
13:45 - #WhyNotMe GBP Alumni Women Entrepreneurs
Come and hear, engage and learn about the incredible journeys of 4 amazing alumni entrepreneurs and how they set up and continue to develop their businesses. Presented as part of startGBC's commitment to supporting and celebratingWomen's Entrepreneurship Day 2026.
14:30 – Networking Break
15:00 – How Can AI Help My Business
Trevor Davis, CEO, Digiwell Marketing, will highlight some tools businesses can use ethically to help scale their business.
15:30 – Legal Implications of Using AI In Canada if I Want to Keep IP
Learn from a licensed Ontario lawyer, who specializes in AI and the impact it can have on businesses in Canada. AI is changing the way business operates, but it also has legal implications.
16:00 – Speed Mentoring
Come and engage with 6 amazing GTA entrepreneur ecosystem providers and increase your knowledge in a rapid-fire, 10-minute session with each advisor as they rotate the room.
Generating Public Relations - Anne Marie Aikins, Curious Public
Validating Your Business Idea Through Research - Christa Lochead, GBP Library Learning Commons
Marketing Basics - Nicole Gallucci, MRKT X Agency
Five Questions to Ask Before AI Adoption - Anisha Singla, Teeny Tech Trek
Top Tips for Creating a High-Performing Website - Chelsea Armstrong, Digital Main Street
GTA Business Supports - Vikas Jain, City of Toronto
17:15 – Closing Remarks for Summit
17:30 to 20:00 – GEN Huddle Toronto Chapter
Separate registration for this event is required. Meet other like-minded budding entrepreneurs and help each other grow and develop.
GEW GEN Entrepreneur Huddle - Toronto Chapter
November 18, 2026 - In-Person, Open to All GTA Community
Join the Global Entrepreneur Week, Global Entrepreneur Network Huddle, Toronto Chapter. Come out and network with other budding entrepreneurs, learn from each other, and learn together.
startGBC Pitch It GBP! 2026 Finals
November 19, 2026 - Private Event
16 amazing entrepreneurs will compete for a share of $15,000 prize pot. This is the concluding round of the Pitch It GBP! 2026 pitch competition for current George Brown Polytechnic students. 8 students will compete in each stream: Stream 1 - ideation and Stream 2 - operating. Good Luck to all participants.
#WhyNotMe Entrepreneur Panel Discussion:
12:00 p.m., Friday, November 20, 2026 - Virtual
Join us for a panel discussion with 5 George Brown Polytechnic entrepreneurs as they share their personal entrepreneurial journeys and how they overcame barriers and obstacles to launch their businesses.