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.
The George Brown Research, Innovation & startGBC Entrepreneurship (RISE) Showcase
The George Brown Research, Innovation & startGBC Entrepreneurship (RISE) Showcase returns on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, industry leader, or curious learner, the RISE celebration offers a dynamic space to connect, be inspired, and celebrate the power of ideas in action.
We look forward to welcoming you to this year's event!
Secure your place by registering today.
Announcing our Keynote Speaker
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Lesley Hampton
Fashion designer, creative director and George Brown alumni, Lesley Hampton will speak about representation, body image, and belonging, sharing how she has challenged beauty standards in the fashion industry to create more inclusive spaces.
Through personal storytelling about her journey from a third-culture Indigenous youth to an internationally recognized designer, she encourages audiences to reclaim confidence and define success on their own terms.
Lesley is a Toronto-based Anishinaabe fashion designer focused on mental wellness and body neutrality in fashion through the lens of the Indigenous worldview. Lesley is a member of Temagami First Nation, and she identifies as an adult 'Third Culture Kid' with her formative years spent in Canada's Arctic and Atlantic, Australia, England, Indonesia, and New Caledonia. This combination of her Anishinaabe Indigeneity and her international upbringing shaped her global perspective and creative voice as she uses her work as a catalyst for reflection, conversation, and community building.
Event Schedule
Main Stage
Agenda
Come and join us for insightful and engaging panel discussions from established entrepreneurs, researchers and change-makers.
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| 10:00-10:15 | Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 10:15 a.m. | Keynote Speaker: Lesley Hampton |
| 11:00-11:30 | #WhyNotMe GBP Entrepreneur Discussion |
| 11:30 a.m. | Showcase opens; will remain open until 1:30 p.m. |
| 12:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. | Building Strong Communities Through Technology with Whole Woman Network |
| 1:00 p.m. | Responsible Use of AI in Research & Innovation: Opportunities, Risks and Accountability Trevor Davis - CEO, Digiwell Marketing Merville Mukoko - CEO, Yekola Laily Ajellu - Principal Investigator, MLD Solutions |
| 1:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
Innovation Ecosystem
Collaboration Partners
The following organizations will have a display and personnel on hand to speak about the support they provide innovators.
| Innovation Ecosystem Partners |
|---|
| Black Entrepreneurship Alliance |
| Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce |
| City of Toronto Economic Development and Commerce |
| MaRS |
| NFTEC |
| Passage |
| VentureLab |
| Youth Employment Services (YES) |
Showcase
Entrepreneur Alley
The following George Brown Polytechnic-supported startGBC startups will be on display and keen to engage.
| Startup Showcase |
|---|
| African Culinary Advancement Network |
| AHAway Inc |
| BallotNow |
| Bearie's Bows |
| Connexify AI |
| HELD Agency |
| Kim's Kitchen |
| Life Photo Video |
| Meridian Behavioural Intelligence |
| mrkt X |
| NovElite Products Inc. |
| Pathwai |
| Tiredimere |
| uzmacreation |
| veku |
| Visioom Inc |
| VocabKit |
| VYBE ai |
| Wealthlingo |
Research Projects
The following companies, which completed research projects at George Brown Polytechnic during the past year, will be on display and keen to engage.
| Research Project Showcase |
|---|
| Casale Creative Inc. |
| Choose Life Foods |
| Innovation without Borders |
| MLD Solutions Inc. |
| MS Falcon and AiDeal Technology |
| Sebastian Knox Woodwinds Ltd |
| S-Qubed Entertainment Inc. |
| Stella's Place |
The Finding Their Voices Project:
|
| Think Wireless Solutions |
| Tression |
| University of Saskatchewan |
| Whole Woman Network |
| XPertVR |
| 100km Foods, Green Food Hubs, Laurier University |
Accessibility and Photography/Recording
Accessibility
We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Don't hesitate to contact research@georgebrown.ca to request a reasonable accommodation. Requests must be submitted by June 11, 2026. This event is wheelchair accessible.
Event Photography
This is an event where photography, audio and video recording may occur. By registering for this event and entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, and website inclusion.
Images and audio may be broadcast, reproduced and/or made available in print publications, online or on mobile devices.
How to Get There
By car: Daily parking is available at 51 Dockside Drive, operated by Green P. Visit Parkopedia to explore additional parking options around the Waterfront campus.
By public transit: All our campuses are serviced by the Toronto Transit Commission.
By bike: We offer dedicated bicycle parking at all our campuses.