Invest Durham Enews

Funding Opportunity

Starter Company Plus program

This program is for existing business owners operating between one to three years (market ready/ready to sell), to expand (hiring employees, contractors or getting a location) or buying a business in Durham Region.

The next cohort for this program is in October.

The program provides:

• Three mandatory training days over two weeks (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) covering Business Concept, Organization, Operations and Customer Relations.
• The chance to receive up to $5,000 in seed funding to kick off a new business or expand your current business.
• The experience of running a successful business that may help you obtain more traditional financing such as a bank loan if you so require in the future.

This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and delivered by the Business Advisory Centre of Durham.

Events and Partnerships

Startup Grind presents Somayeh Akbarshahi,

Co-Founder of CommoBuy - June 22, 6 to 8 p.m.

Held at the Spark Centre, 2 Simcoe Street South, Suite 300, Oshawa

From a professional Procurement and Purchasing Manager in Iran to a co-founder of CommoBuy in Canada, Somayeh Akbarshahi understands the international entrepreneur journey.

Listen in as Somayeh discusses the challenges and successes of launching a start-up in a new country, her growth as an entrepreneur, and how CommoBuy is revolutionizing the procurement industry through innovation. This up-close-and-personal look at the startup experience in Canada is one you won’t want to miss!

Get your local business on Google Search and Maps -

July 6, 1 to 2 p.m.

Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter what device they use.

Attend this virtual workshop presented by Business Advisory Centre of Durham to learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.

In this session we will show you how to:

• Create or claim your Google Business Profile
• Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
• Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers

Advanced Control Systems (ACS) of Uxbridge wins Ontario Made Award for “Manufacturer Spotlight”

The Ontario Made Award is an annual award that recognizes manufacturers in Ontario who have made a significant contribution to the economy and created jobs. This award will help ACS to continue to grow and create jobs in the province. It is also a great way to promote the company and its products.

Learn more about the hard work and dedication of the team.

Durham Region is home to the Apple Capital of Canada

Durham produces 13 per cent of Ontario’s apples, has nearly 3,500 soccer fields worth of orchards, and a unique microclimate that makes it an optimal location for growing apples. Both Durham’s southeast and norther communities are thriving when it comes to producing some of the most flavourful apples and apple products.

Read about how Durham’s unique microclimate makes it an optimal location for growing apples.

Ontario is helping more women in Durham Region build skills and get jobs

Durham Region is one of the ten new Investing in Women’s Futures program locations, as the Ontario government expands across the province and includes the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham. This will help more women who are experiencing social and economic barriers connect to supports, and develop the skills they need to gain financial security and independence.

Learn about how this program will create more economic opportunities for women.

Entrepreneurs get crafty and creative in Durham’s downtowns

Over the past few years, businesses have had to be open to change, and open to trying new things to find new avenues for success. Leveraging new opportunities—especially for businesses in the hospitality space—required a spirited approach to entrepreneurship, which Chris Aucoin (Brewers Pantry, Bowmanville) and Steve Lovisa (Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Port Perry) know all about.

Read more in the story “Getting Crafty and Creative as Entrepreneurs in the Downtowns of Durham”.

Two Ontario Tech University professors recognized for their significant contributions to engineering in Canada

Two Ontario Tech Engineering researchers, Dr. Hossam Kishawy and Dr. Igor Pioro, are among 55 new Fellows recently elected to the prestigious Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), in recognition of their distinguished contributions to engineering in Canada and their career-long service to the engineering profession.

Learn about their distinguished contributions to engineering in Canada.

New culinary scholarships at Durham College help Black students lead the way in the food industry

Durham College (DC) is proud to partner with DoorDash to launch the DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarship. Two scholarships—valued at $20,000 each, divided between two years—will support domestic and international Black students in DC’s Culinary Management diploma program to gain the skills and experience needed to pursue a career in the culinary field.

Learn more about the DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarship and how to apply.

Largest graduating class in Trent University Durham GTA history honoured at 2023 Convocation

Trent University Durham GTA is growing! During the morning and afternoon ceremonies on June 16, 425 graduates were celebrated, including 364 undergraduates and 61 graduates from the Master of Management program. Additional highlights of this year’s Trent Durham convocation ceremonies include the first cohort of graduates from the Policing and Community Well-Being program and the first graduates from Durham’s Computer Science B.Sc. program.

Read more about how Trent University Durham GTA is growing.

Contact Us

Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857

www.investdurham.ca 

As a contact of the Region of Durham's Planning and Economic Development Department, you have been added to our mailing list. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please use the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of this e-newsletter.

If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Planning and Economic Development Department at 905-668-4113 ext. 2619 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).