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.
startGBC is Celebrating a Year of Impact and Looking Ahead to an Exciting 2026
2025 was a landmark year for startGBC at George Brown Polytechnic.
As George Browns hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, startGBC continued to empower students, alumni, and community founders to turn ideas into action. Through hands-on programming, mentorship, and community-driven events, we strengthened Toronto’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while advancing George Brown’s commitment to innovation with impact.
Throughout 2025, startGBC expanded its reach and deepened its impact by delivering high-value programs that supported entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Our workshops, mentoring sessions, pitch events, and experiential learning opportunities helped founders validate ideas, build confidence, and connect with industry leaders.
Looking to what's ahead in 2026
Building on the momentum of 2025, startGBC is launching an ambitious and exciting slate of initiatives in 2026 designed to reach more learners, spark creativity, and showcase entrepreneurial excellence across the college.
Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase (RIES)
A cornerstone event for 2026, the annual Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase (RIES) will bring together students, faculty, researchers, and founders for a day dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and impact. RIES will spotlight innovative projects, startup ventures, and applied research emerging from George Brown, creating opportunities for connection, feedback, and celebration.
Launch of an Online Entrepreneurship Course
To make entrepreneurship education more accessible than ever, startGBC will be launching a new online entrepreneurship course in 2026. Designed for flexibility and real-world relevance, the course will equip learners with foundational tools in ideation, validation, business modeling, and pitching, empowering students to develop entrepreneurial skills they can apply across industries.
Global Design Jam
The Global Design Jam will invite participants to collaborate intensively over a short period to solve real-world challenges using design thinking and creativity. This immersive experience will bring together interdisciplinary teams to ideate, prototype, and present innovative solutions in a fast-paced, global-inspired format.
startGBC Pop Up Markets
Returning with renewed energy, the startGBC Pop-Up Market will give student and alumni entrepreneurs the chance to showcase and sell their products, test customer demand, and build brand awareness in a live marketplace setting. This experiential opportunity reinforces learning through action while celebrating creativity and entrepreneurship.
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) & Pitch It GBC
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, startGBC will once again host a series of events that inspire, educate, and connect founders across the college. A highlight of GEW, Pitch It GBC, will challenge entrepreneurs to present their ventures to a panel of judges, sharpening their pitch skills while competing for recognition and support.
Continuing the Journey
As startGBC looks ahead to 2026, our mission remains clear: to inspire entrepreneurial thinking, support venture creation, and provide inclusive, hands-on opportunities that prepare learners for the future.
Whether you are a student with an idea, an alumnus building a business, or a partner looking to collaborate, startGBC invites you to be part of another exciting year of innovation at George Brown.