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.
Discover a collection of tools, guides, and supports designed to help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. From planning and funding to marketing and mentorship, these curated resources empower George Brown Polytechnic students, alumni, and community members to build, launch, and grow their ventures. Explore the sections below to find the support you need.
City of Toronto Resources
In response to the recent challenges faced by businesses, the City of Toronto has established the BusinessTO Support Centre. This center offers valuable information on various resources available to businesses. It provides one-on-one virtual assistance for completing government program applications and offers general business guidance. Additionally, the City has expanded its Digital Main Street program to aid small businesses in website development, e-commerce platform setup, and more.
Funding Resources
For information on potential funding opportunities, check the City of Toronto dedicated funding page for information - Funding for small businesses
Also check the federal government resource that helps create innovation for small businesses. Business benefit's finder
Other places to start
Get in touch with your neighborhood financial institution. We understand that many small businesses already have established relationships with local banks. The financial sector has enhanced their lending capacity, making them an excellent initial point of contact to assist you.
Business Resources
- Responding to United States Economic Policy (City of Toronto)
- Take the Tariff Impact Survey
(City of Toronto) - Business Resources (Canadian Chamber of Commerce)
- Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs (BDC)
- Discover import and export tariffs (Canada Tariff Finder)
- Trade Commissioner Service supports Canadian businesses (Trade Commissioner Service - TCS)
- Apply for the Canadian International Innovation Program (The Canadian International Innovation Program - CIIP)
- Pro Bono Ontario (Free legal advice)
- Work-Sharing (Employment and Social Development Canada)
- Support for Canadian businesses impacted by uncertainty around U.S. tariffs (Business Development Bank of Canada)
- Prepare your business for U.S. export tariff changes with this essential checklist (Export Development Canada)
- Export Development Canada's Trade Impact Program (Export Development Canada)
- Explore and promote Ontario-made products
(Ontario-made products)
Coworking Spaces
Looking for space to launch your business? Consider starting within a co-working space.
startGBC provides free hot desking space to current George Brown Polytechnic students and recent graduates. Contact the startGBC team for full information at startGBC@georgebrown.ca
Check out the following resources that startGBC knows of within Toronto.
East Room (3 locations)
Lauft (3 locations)
Workhaus (10 locations)
Shecosytem
Centre for Social Innovation