Learn more about the partners that can help you start, grow or run your business.
Below, you'll find information about entrepreneurial, finance, technical, college, legal and marketing support from many of startGBC collaboration partners.
Collaboration Partners
Entrepreneurial Support
Enterprise Toronto
Enterprise Toronto works with the City of Toronto to provide business planning assistance, sales and marketing support, and links to financing and other small business support programs.
Resources:
Summer Company Program
This program provides students with the opportunity to start their own businesses. Students from the ages of 15 to 29 will receive hands-on training from successful business people, financial support with awards up to $3,000, and the opportunity to find out if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Starter Company Plus
The Starter Company Plus program provides an opportunity for eligible participants to get training, advice and mentoring to help them build a business.
Seminars
Enterprise Toronto and its partners offer year-round learning opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners, from regularly scheduled seminars to large networking events.
StartUp HERE Toronto
StartUp HERE Toronto celebrates Toronto’s innovation community by sharing local success with the world.
Resources:
StartUp Cafe
The StartUp HERE Toronto Café is focused on helping to easily build relationships between entrepreneurs and drive Toronto’s startup community. It is a place to connect with peers, funders and investors, subject matter experts and just generally great people who have an interest in growing Toronto’s startup community.
Parkdale Innovation Centre
The Parkdale Centre for Innovation is a Canadian non-profit committed to making entrepreneurial & professional skills accessible through inclusive programs and pathways, with a focus on equity & innovation.
The mandate for the Parkdale Centre for Innovation is to create opportunities that elevate the economic status of families in Parkdale through accessible pathways to decent work. Together we can create windows of opportunity to directly lift the economic status of entire families. The Parkdale Centre’s program curriculums are mixed between in-house programs that provide foundational skills, bridge opportunities, and the acceleration of advanced professional development.
Email: contact@parkdaleinnovates.org
Parkdale Centre for Innovation
Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs
Ontario’s portal to support the development of startups and to maximize the collaboration opportunities within the Ontario innovation ecosystem.
Mars Discovery District
MaRS works with an extensive network of partners to help entrepreneurs launch and grow the innovative companies that are building our future. Our vision is bold; our mission is more important than ever before. Early-stage capital can be critical to your venture’s success. MaRS offers a range of products and services to help you find the funding you need to grow your business.
Resources:
Entrepreneurship 101
Entrepreneurship 101 is a five-week online course that offers a mix of materials for every style of learning, weekly mentorship from expert practitioners, and the tools you need to create your startup all in one place.
Business in the Streets
The young people in BITS programs come from diverse backgrounds, all with different stories and hardships, our aim is to help them by introducing them to the idea that failure is not the endpoint, but an opportunity to push past the challenges and use failure as a stepping-stone to success. We also help them practically, by providing funding opportunities, mentors and a community that supports them.
Artscape Daniels LAUNCHPAD
At launchpad, the stage is set for your creativity to unfold. Fashionistas, jewellers, furniture makers and multi-disciplinary artists can create using our five creative studios. Musicians, filmmakers, and multi-media artists can produce in our fully equipped digital media lab. Use our coworking spaces to collaborate and hatch ideas. Sign up for our creative entrepreneurship learning programs, workshops, and events. Whatever your vision is, the launchpad can help make it happen.
Remix Project
The Remix Project was created in order to help level the playing field for young people from marginalized and underserved communities. Our programs and services serve youth who are trying to enter into the creative industries or further their formal education. The Remix Project provides a top-notch alternative, creative, educational programs, facilitators and facilities. Our mission is to help refine the raw talents of young people in order to help them find success as participants define it and on their own terms.
Hxouse
A dedicated entrepreneur program for anybody interested in developing a creative arts business.
Best 3 Minutes
Help for entrepreneurs to learn how to make the best pitches. Creators of the Open 3 Close process and Pitch Canvas.
Google’s mission is to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Since their founding in 1998, Google has grown by leaps and bounds.
Google has a dedicated site for startups looking for resources to support learning.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite was created to help people connect on social media and do amazing things together. Hootsuite connects people with the communities they live in. The teams they work with. The brands they love. The customers who believe in them. And the leaders and visionaries who show them the way forward.
Whether you’re a solopreneur, managing a small team or making a bold leap forward to completely transform your social enterprise, Hootsuite is here to help you unlock the power of human connection and make great things happen.
Elevate Black Business
The Canadian Black Chamber Commerce Business Advisory will serve to elevate entrepreneurs through our Elevate Black Business Project through programming, mentorship, advocacy, promotion, and investment in their training and development. The Black entrepreneurial community has long been disenfranchised by the effects of systemic racism. The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce endeavours through this program and funded by the Government of Canada to “level the playing field” and provide Start-up and established Black entrepreneurs with the supports needed to help their businesses succeed.
This program is for all members of the Black, African & Caribbean Communities. The Elevate Black Business Ecosystem Project will enhance the Black business ecosystem through services, supports, technical assistance, and directions to access capital and needed resources.
Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce
The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) is committed to connecting Black Businesses in Canada to the Global Black diaspora and the mainstream global markets. We promote local and bilateral trade, resources, information and cultural exchange for business.
The CBCC provides business opportunities for entrepreneurs in the way of;
- Promote your business and increase your market share.
- Attend events and build your network.
- Save you money with free and discounted programs.
- Develop your business skills through learning opportunities.
- A practical and focused voice for your business to assist with growth and unforeseen challenges.
Finance
City of Toronto Entrepreneurial Funding
City of Toronto funding suggestions that could be available to you to become an entrepreneur or to support the growth of your start-up.
ACCESS Community Capital Fund
ACCESS Community Capital Fund is a Canadian Registered Charity formed in 1999 to help individuals facing barriers to traditional financing from banks obtain microloans to improve their income through sustainable self-employment and employment.
Resources:
Loan Calculator
Use this loan calculator to estimate what your monthly loan payments may be with an ACCESS loan. Payments begin one month following the disbursement of your loan.
Rise Asset Development
Rise Asset Development, with the support of the Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), provides microfinancing and mentorship to entrepreneurs living with mental illness and addictions.
Resources:
Small Business Lending
The Rise Individual Lending Program provides access to low-interest business loans to launch or grow your small business.
Youth Small Business Program
The Youth Small Business Program is designed for individuals aged 16 to 29 who self-identify as having experienced a mental health or addiction challenge (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, anorexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, addiction, or similar challenges).
Event Lending
Event Lending provides loans up to $2,500 to be used by an entrepreneur to pay vendor admissions, purchase inventory, and cover marketing costs in order to sell/showcase their product or service at an event.
Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing our economy one entrepreneur at a time. They are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39.
Resources:
Entrepreneurship Pathway content
From developing your idea through to launching your business, you’ll find resources for every step in your journey – organized into four key stages in a start-up’s life cycle.
BDC
BDC helps create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Resources:
Marketing plan template
From establishing a strong brand to understanding your ideal customer and creating a compelling buying experience, this marketing plan template will give your company the best chance of success in today’s competitive marketplace.
Onboarding Template
Follow this comprehensive checklist to quickly get your new employee up to speed and ready to make their best contribution.
QuickBooks
George Brown College students can access Quickbooks free of charge. A user of startGBC can obtain a 70% discount on QuickBooks cloud software for three months.
Sapling Financial
Sapling Financial Consultants is a boutique consultancy specializing in financial modelling services for small and mid-sized businesses. Whether you’re a business owner or a public company executive, we empower you to make financial decisions with clarity and confidence through the use of professional financial models tailored to your business.
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada provides access to services and information for Canadian citizens. This is a dedicated funding portal for startups to check Government of Canada funding opportunities.
Ontario Centres of Excellence
OCE focuses on ensuring the people of Ontario reap the personal and economic benefits of leading-edge research underway at our publicly funded universities, colleges and research hospitals – research that can be transformed into technologies and services that enhance the quality of life and help build a globally competitive, job-creating economy in Ontario.
Solutions Canada
Innovative Solutions Canada helps Canadian innovators by funding R&D and testing prototypes in real-life settings. Funding of over $140 million is dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start, grow, and get to market.
Benji
Benji is an online tax solution for self-employed Canadians. It finds tax write-offs by sifting through your bank transactions. On average, people find $9,387.53 in tax savings per year. No bookkeeper or accountant required!
Vertical CPA
Vertical CPA is an accounting and advisory firm.
Our professionals are former auditors and tax consultants from Big 4 and mid-sized accounting firms with experience assisting clients such as large public corporations, SMEs, Start-Ups, and Not-For-Profits.
Our professionals have worked in financial advisory and capital markets. We have experience in valuations, due diligence, equity raising, debt raising, and financial modelling for large publicly traded companies, owner-managed companies, and start-ups.
Our professionals have worked at large technology companies and startups in finance, sales planning, and analytics. Our team is uniquely positioned to help you with budgeting, forecasting, and business modelling. Whether you’re just getting started, thinking of expanding, or would like to make an acquisition, our professionals can help you with your decision.
Wave Apps
Wave wants to encourage small business owners to manage their finances and have the confidence to live their dreams. They offer a simple, all-in-one money management solution for small businesses.
Tech Support
Amazon Web Services
AWS – Amazon Web Services provides startups with the low-cost, easy-to-use infrastructure needed to scale and grow. With the AWS Activate program, startups get access to the resources they need to quickly get started on AWS – including credits, training, and support.
By joining the AWS Activate program through startGBC, you will be eligible for:
- $10,000 in AWS Promotional Credit valid for two years
- One year of Business Support (up to $1,500)
- Opportunities to Qualify for Additional Credits
Email the startGBC Team to activate your AWS program at startgbc@georgebrown.ca
Shopify
Shopify simplifies setting up an online storefront and dealing with the logistics.
TechTO
Meet and learn from Toronto Tech Founders. TechToronto is the best way to expand your knowledge and network within Toronto’s technology community.
Benji
Benji is an online tax solution for self-employed Canadians. It finds tax write-offs by sifting through your bank transactions. On average, people find $9,387.53 in tax savings per year. No bookkeeper or accountant required!
College Support
Library Learning Commons (LLC)
Many library resources can assist you in all stages of entrepreneurship – from developing ideas to marketing to maintaining a thriving business. This guide offers key resources for entrepreneurship. For more information, contact the library.
GBC Research & Innovation
George Brown College Research & Innovation helps startups develop product and secure match funding for successful research projects across all academic centres in the college.
Enactus George Brown
Enactus George Brown is opening to any George Brown College Students interested in developing an entrepreneurial mindset.
Entrepreneurship Club
Entrepreneurship Club is open to George Brown College students looking to collaborate with like-minded students interested in entrepreneurship.
Legal
Pro Bono Ontario
Pro Bono Ontario develops and manages high-quality programs that connect volunteer lawyers with Ontarians who can’t afford a lawyer. Pro Bono Ontario also helps build communities by supporting start-ups, artists, social service organizations and social entrepreneurs with the legal issues that come with running a small business in Ontario.
Resources:
Free Legal Advice Hotline
No matter what kind of creator you are – business person, artist, social entrepreneur, you name it — there are many legal issues you’ll need to consider. Pro Bono Ontario operates a free advice service and legal clinic that may be able to help.
Bereskin & Parr
Bereskin & Parr is a “stand-out IP boutique” firm that conducts “much of the highest-quality work that is generated in Canada.”
Oziel Law
A law firm dedicated to helping support startups and entrepreneurs navigate every aspect of their successful formation.
Green and Spiegel
Green and Spiegel is Canada’s largest and oldest immigration law practice, with over 50 years of experience assisting a diverse global clientele. We are headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with U.S. offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Providence, Rhode Island and Vail, Colorado. Green and Spiegel offer a full range of Canadian and American immigration services for employers, temporary workers, individuals and their families. Whether you are coming to Canada or the United States to work, join your family, or seek new opportunities, Green and Spiegel can help. If you are an employer who needs an expert to manage your global mobility needs, Green and Spiegel have the depth and breadth of expertise to provide your business with immigration support to ensure a global mobility program that operates smoothly and efficiently.
DealPrep/Clausehound
Learning how to draft legal documents is complicated. DealPrep has been supporting individuals and organizations for half a decade with its libraries that capture and share legal expertise, their deal training programs, and their tools that automate negotiations. Speak to startGBC for free access.
Marketing
Press Pillay
Press Pillay is founded and led by journalist-turned-marketing-pro Nesh, the “Robin Hood” of PR. A former journalist who covered international advertising and marketing as a founding reporter of The Drum’s New York team, she later joined Toronto-based EQ Works as their VP of Marketing, where she honed the art of “marketing for the marketer.”
