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It's February, and we’re here to keep your momentum strong with inspiring events, valuable resources, and exciting new opportunities.

And because we know every founder needs a good laugh along the way...

What do founders find themselves doing on Valentine’s Day?

Swiping right on funding rounds!

Explore resources, connect with our innovation community, and take your next step forward by visiting our website.

Startup Showcase

AFOMA Marketplace

AFOMA Marketplace is a Brampton based e-commerce platform empowering artisans from marginalized communities worldwide to reach global customers. While they focus primarily on African craftspeople, artists, and small-scale producers, they welcome sellers from across the globe. Positioning themselves as “the Etsy of Africa,” they're building infrastructure that serves underrepresented creators everywhere.

Their mission is to create sustainable economic opportunities for artisans in underserved markets by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in global commerce. They’ve built custom technology including localized payment systems across multiple African countries and AI-powered listing tools that help artisans create professional storefronts regardless of their resources or technical experience.

They serve a dual market: artisans from marginalized regions seeking access to international commerce opportunities, and conscious consumers worldwide looking for unique, ethically-sourced products with meaningful impact behind every purchase.

With nearly 200 registered sellers acquired organically through word-of-mouth, social media, search engines, and AI chatbots, they’re proving strong demand while operating on a sustainable 10% commission model. AFOMA is building the bridge between global creativity and opportunity.

Are you a Brampton-based tech startup with a story to share?

Click here to apply to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Brampton Innovation Newsletter.

District Wins

BVZ Kicks Off 2026 Brampton Innovator Program

Brampton Venture Zone (BVZ) kicked off the 2026 Brampton Innovator Program on January 14, welcoming 40+ founders and aspiring entrepreneurs to a 5-week, industry-agnostic market research and validation journey. The program offers two tracks — Entrecurious for idea-stage founders and MVP Builder for prototype-ready startups — helping participants validate ideas, connect with the local innovation ecosystem, and gain insights from alumni.

The kickoff featured networking with Invest Brampton and alumni founders, fostering early connections and a supportive community for innovation across sectors from healthtech to AI and emerging technologies.

Top Tech Innovators 2025 Spotlight: Enabled Talent

Brampton-based founder Amandipp Singh, founder of Enabled Talent, has been recognized in The CEO Magazine’s inaugural Top Tech Innovators 2025 global spotlight, celebrating leaders shaping the future of technology and innovation worldwide. Amandipp represents Brampton on a global stage, demonstrating how locally rooted leadership can drive globally relevant impact.

By centering accessibility, empathy and equity in technology, Amandipp exemplifies how purpose-driven innovation can emerge from local communities and influence global conversations about the future of work and talent.

Congratulations Amandipp for this incredible achievement!

BHive Highlights Brampton’s Innovation Ecosystem

BHive recently welcomed Evan Solomon, Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, alongside federal and local leaders, including representatives from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Members of Parliament from Brampton Centre and Brampton South.

The visit highlighted BHive’s growing community of founders building across AI, EdTech, enterprise software and corporate travel — demonstrating how Brampton-based innovators are leveraging emerging technologies to solve real-world problems and scale globally from Canada.

Scale Your Startup: Elevate e-Commerce Accelerator

Elevate Innovation is inviting commerce and commerce-tech startup founders to apply to its free 3-month e-Commerce Accelerator. The program is designed to help early-stage companies refine their technology, scale their platforms, and accelerate growth with expert support.

Startup owners will gain access to tailored mentorship, industry insights, and resources to strengthen their product and go-to-market strategy. Applications are open until February 28.

District Updates

2026 BVZ Launch Program

BVZ Launch is a 4-month, non-equity-based incubator program designed for MVP-ready health technology startups to launch in the market. They provide Canadian startups in the health and wellness sector access to Brampton and Peel-based industry partners for early market validation and opportunities to secure potential pilots. 

Through this program, you will be eligible for a non-dilutive grant, go through venture development workshops, receive integrated mentorship, and access TMU’s Zone Learning resources that support your goals.

The hybrid program model also offers networking opportunities with fellow founders and alumni, fostering a strong community to support your journey.

2026 Cyber Integrations for Businesses Program

Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is offering a free, virtual Winter 2026 cohort designed to help Ontario-based organizations working with health data or digital health strengthen cybersecurity, privacy, and AI readiness.

The program includes a senior-leader webinar, a 6-week interactive bootcamp, and access to a cybersecurity self-assessment with optional 1-on-1 expert consultation. Participants gain practical tools, templates, and expert insights to securely scale their operations.

Canada in Space: New Funding and Artemis II Updates

New CSA Space Funding

The Canadian Space Agency has launched CTD Program 10, offering non-repayable funding to support Canadian space innovation:

• Advanced Space Technologies – up to $1M (2–5 year deployment)
• Small Businesses – up to $350K (≤50 employees)
• Next Wave Technologies – up to $500K (5–10 year deployment)

Learn more

Artemis II Launch Watch

NASA’s Artemis II mission will launch from Cape Canaveral, with launch opportunities now published! As with all major space missions, timelines are subject to change, but these updates give the public an early look!

Learn more

Inside Artemis II: Jeremy Hansen’s Vlog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at astronaut life with “Destination Moon,” the Artemis II vlog series by CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The series shares training, mission prep, and personal insights into Canada’s role in the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo.

Learn more

Innovation Scouting Fund — Winter 2026 Call

Applications for the next round of CFIN's Innovation Scouting Fund are now open!

CFIN is seeking late-stage food innovators (TRL 3+) to collaborate with a major Canadian food company on next-gen convenience foods. Selected applicants will receive up to $75,000 and participate in a 12-month commercial testing program.

Priority areas include novel processing & preservation, unique formats & textures, functional flavors, smart packaging, and digital quality solutions. Bring your innovation, and test it in a real-world manufacturing environment!

Upcoming Events

Brampton Tech Talks - From Barriers to Breakthroughs

This Black History Month, join Brampton Venture Zone (BVZ) by TMU and the Brampton Library for an inspiring Tech Talk spotlighting Black founders who are turning lived experience into powerful innovation.

Moderated by Marlene Spence, Founder of Hope Endoors and The CHANCE Centre, this conversation brings together Andre Smith, Founder & CEO of Flip & Floss, and Abdel Ali, Founder & CEO of Kiwi Charge and Director at BLCK VC Canada. Together, they will explore how personal challenges — including financial hardship, lack of access, and systemic barriers — became the catalyst for the companies they built.

Date: February 5th, 2026

Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM

Location: Brampton Library Springdale Branch - 10705 Bramalea Rd, Brampton, ON L6R 0C1

Register Here

Degrees of Success 2026: Hosted at Brampton Innovation District

The Brampton Innovation District is proud to be the venue sponsor for the 2026 Lotus STEMM Degrees of Success Conference, hosted at Brampton City Hall on February 15, 2026.

This free, family-friendly event supports diversity and representation in STEMM, with programming designed for South Asian youth, families, and newcomer communities. Attendees will explore careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine through engaging talks, panels, and hands-on activities.

Join us on February 15 and experience the energy of Brampton’s innovation ecosystem.

Register Here

BVZ Community Night

Join the Brampton Venture Zone for a BVZ Community Evening focused on BVZ Launch, their 4-month, non-equity incubator program designed for MVP-ready health-tech and wellness startups across Canada.

This is your chance to meet the BVZ team, learn about the program, and understand how BVZ Launch supports founders through industry validation, mentorship, and non-dilutive funding.

Date: February 25th, 2026

Time: 5:00PM - 6:30PM

Location: Brampton Entrepreneur Centre - 41 George St S, Brampton, L6Y 2E1

Register Here

Check out the events listing to find events and activities in celebration of Black History Month!

Job Postings/Benefits

Brampton Startups: Founders Helping Founders

Brampton Startups is a founder-led community based in the City of Brampton. It's not an incubator, accelerator, or program; it's founders helping founders build real Canadian technology and impactful companies.

Become a member and join us at the BHive, where members meet every week in the heart of the Brampton Innovation District. Click below for more information to get started.

Learn More

Want to grow your startup? BReady is Here!

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Our Partners

Get Connected with the Team

Tara Hunter



Manager, Innovation & Technology

Suvid Ajmera

Coordinator, Innovation & Technology

Uche Okugo

Coordinator, Innovation & Technology

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