Space Closure: Monday, May 18th | |
BEC will be closed
Monday, May 18th
BEC will re-open
Tuesday, May 19th from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, see you then!
| | Courtside Capital: Where Tech Meets Sports | |
A night you wont want to miss!
Innovation meets game night at the CAA Centre.
Join founders, investors, and industry leaders for a high-energy experience powered by the Brampton Honey Badgers—featuring live startup demos, investor reverse pitches, and premium networking, all leading into a pro basketball showdown (Honey Badgers vs Winnipeg Sea Bears, tip off at 7pm).
Part of Toronto Tech Week, this is where sport, capital, and innovation collide.
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Entrepreneurs Connect — Spring Series
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Entrepreneurs Connect is back this spring! In this session, you’ll learn how to craft a detailed and persuasive business plan that effectively showcases your business vision, financial projections and growth strategy.
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your business’s financial foundation and increase your chances of securing the funding you need to succeed.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Proudly Sponsored by TD.
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Story Boarding: A Five-line Narrative Formula
Wed, May 6th
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
41 George Street S (BEC)
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Marketing AI 1-2-3
Wed, May 20th
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
41 George Street S (BEC)
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BEC Talks Podcast – Your Go-To for Entrepreneurial Insights
Have you tuned in to BEC Talks yet?
Our podcast is packed with inspiring stories, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Each episode features industry leaders, local business owners, and startup experts sharing their experiences and strategies for success.
In this episode of BEC Talks, Naren Balakrishnan breaks down what the SR&ED program has to offer and different funding opportunities for Canadian small businesses
| | Apply to be featured in "The Picture That Made Us" | | |
Apply to be featured in "The Picture That Made Us"—a storytelling series that highlights the moments behind the journey. Share a meaningful photo and the story of how it shaped your path into entrepreneurship, from early influences to defining turning points.
Featured in our newsletter, this is your chance to showcase not just your business, but the story behind it—your values, your vision, and what drives you forward.
Got a photo with a story?
You could be our next “A Picture That Made Us” feature!
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Where The Game Grows:
Calling All Brampton Businesses
| | Looking for creative ideas to get involved? | | |
As part of the Where the Game Grows campaign, we are partnering with local businesses and organizations to bring soccer-inspired experiences to life across the city.
Planning a soccer-themed promotion, a watch party, a special menu or a community activation? We want to hear how you’re getting involved.
Share how you’ll tap into the excitement and help shape a city-wide celebration of a sport connecting cultures and communities worldwide.
Submission Deadline: May 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
| | Calling Young Entrepreneurs: Help Shape Brampton’s Future | |
Do you know a young business owner or are you one looking to make a bigger impact in the community? The City of Brampton is launching its first-ever Youth Cabinet, creating space for youth ages 14 to 29 to contribute ideas, share perspectives and help drive positive change across the city.
For young entrepreneurs and emerging leaders, this is an opportunity to:
- Highlight issues that matter to youth and small businesses
- Build leadership skills and expand your network
- Share real-world business insights with the City
- Support youth-led projects, initiatives and events
- Receive an honorarium and transit pass
From September 2026 to June 2027, members will meet monthly at rotating community centres and serve as ambassadors for youth in Brampton.
If you’re a young founder or know someone who is, this is a valuable way to get involved, grow your leadership profile and help shape the future business community of Brampton.
| | 2026 Seasonal Patio Program Applications Are Open | | |
Applications for the City of Brampton’s 2026 Seasonal Patio Program is now open.
Local businesses can apply for permits to set up temporary seasonal patios through the City’s updated and streamlined application process.
The Seasonal Patio Program supports local businesses, promotes economic growth and creates more opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy Brampton’s dining scene.
| | Brampton Commercial Kitchen: NOW OPEN | | |
Brampton’s first shared commercial kitchen has officially opened its doors, creating new opportunities for local food entrepreneurs to learn, create and grow!
As Brampton’s first municipally supported, public health-certified shared commercial kitchen, and one of only a few of its kind in Ontario, it was created to help close a gap in infrastructure for local food entrepreneurs.
Here’s what local food entrepreneurs can do in the space:
- Explore food training opportunities
- Access professional-grade equipment
- Book kitchen cooking spaces
Learn more
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this exciting milestone for Brampton’s food scene!
| | Foodpreneur Advantage:
Everything You Need to Start & Grow a Food Business | | |
Foodpreneur Advantage is a collaboration of Small Business Enterprise Centres. Whether you are starting your food venture, or ready to expand and scale your operation, this is the place to start.
- Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
- How to Sell Your Food Product
- Costing & Pricing to Make Profits
- Marketing & Branding your Food Product
- Food Safety Fundamentals for Startups
- Labelling & Packaging your Food Product
Clients can register for FREE Foodpreneur Advantage seminars on the Foodpreneur Advantage website.
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Upcoming Webinars, In-person Seminars & Networking Events
Sign up for exciting upcoming sessions and networking events through the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre. Don’t miss your chance to connect and grow!
Please note that some sessions are hybrid, in-person and some are online.
*Register accordingly
| | Future-Proof Your Career: AI & Cybersecurity | | |
Join us for Future-Proof Your Career: AI & Cybersecurity, a Youth Week panel organized by Brampton Venture Zone. This engaging session brings together industry experts from Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Sheridan College, & Upskailed: AI Upskilling to share insights on tech careers, in-demand skills, and how youth can get started in AI and cybersecurity.
The event includes a panel discussion, Q&A, and networking opportunities.
Date: Thursday, May 7th
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Brampton Library – Springdale Branch
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Join us for The Investable Founder — a hands-on session designed to help early-stage founders understand what investors really look for.
Kick things off with a candid fireside chat featuring angel investors Nick Kuryluk and Dr. Holly Gardner from Altitude Accelerator, as they share how founders should approach investor relationships—and why mindset matters long before capital is raised.
Then, dive into a practical workshop led by Miryam Lazarte, Founder & CEO of Global Startups Accelerator and General Partner at GSA Ventures, focused on how to position your startup to become truly investable. Spots are limited, secure your place today!
Date: Tuesday, May 12th
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: BHive - 8 Nelson St W, Brampton, ON L6X 1B7
| | Capital & Community in HealthTech | | |
Canada's health-tech funding market is rebounding but capital is flowing to fewer companies. So how do early-stage founders actually break through?
Brampton Venture Zone is proud to present Capital & Community In HealthTech, a Live Showcase & Industry Mixer, hosted in partnership with Vertex Health and Canada Startup Association (CSA) at Toronto Tech Week 2026.
This event brings together founders, investors, and community builders to share first-hand experience on raising early-stage venture capital for health technology startups in Canada.
Date: Wednesday, May 27th
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST
Location: Vantage Venues, 27th Floor, 150 King St W, Toronto, ON.
| | This Bike to Work Week, the City of Brampton's Active Transportation Team is preparing a free resource/merchandise package for participating Brampton businesses to celebrate and support cycling this June.
To stay updated on when the package is released! | | Competition Bureau Warns Businesses | | |
The Competition Bureau is reminding businesses that illegal practices like bid-rigging and price-fixing in public contracts can lead to serious consequences—including criminal charges, heavy fines, and reputational damage.
As public procurement opportunities grow, so does the risk of collusion between competitors. Under the Competition Act, agreements such as bid-rigging, market allocation, and wage-fixing are criminal offences, with penalties that can include fines, lawsuits, debarment from future contracts, and even prison sentences of up to 14 years.
Businesses are encouraged to compete independently, follow compliance best practices, and ensure employees understand how to avoid collusion risks when bidding.
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Free Health and Safety Resources & Content
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is offering free online safety training for Ontario workplaces.
Courses include:
OHSA Awareness
WHMIS Awareness
Violence & Harassment Awareness
Workplace Mental Health Awareness
MSD Prevention Awareness
Landscape Safety Awareness
Build skills, stay compliant, and learn at your own pace — all at no cost.
Start learning today!
| | Resources for Your Business | | Participate in an Event with the City | |
The City's Festival and Events Office work with local talent to make our City events great. They're committed to building and promoting Brampton and offer many ways to get involved in our events.
Throughout the year, they offer various opportunities for vendors and artists to participate in festivals and events across the city.
Celebrate Eid 2026: Food Vendor
Application Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Apply here
Canada Day 2026: Cupcake Vendor
Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Apply here
Canada Day 2026: Food Vendor
Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Apply here
Mount Pleasant Night Market 2026: Vendor
Application Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Apply here
| | THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS | | |
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