Vaughan is a talent-driven city that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit. Building on that commitment, the City of Vaughan held a special event on July 7 to celebrate the relaunch of the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) and kick off the Summer Company program. With the spotlight on entrepreneurs, the event provided an opportunity for students to pitch their business ideas and receive feedback from industry professionals.
At the event at Niagara University, guests were welcomed virtually by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. Remarks were delivered in-person by Dr. Michael Salvatori, Niagara University's vice-president, who supported the university-level business training that Summer Company participants receive. Lauren Barnes, a Summer Company program alum and founder of Last20 - a social enterprise that upcycles plastic waste into pavement - also spoke to share her experience in the program and provide this year's participants with advice as a former student entrepreneur. Up-and-coming student entrepreneurs then pitched their business ideas to an audience of friends, family and other entrepreneurs, and received inspiring advice and valuable input from industry leaders.
Learn more about Summer Company and the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre below:
Summer Company
The City offers the Summer Company program each year in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, which equips young entrepreneurs with a pipeline of tools, skills, connections and resources required to succeed in their business ventures. For the second year, training and mentorship for the program will be provided through Niagara University. This program contributes to Vaughan's Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital priority by providing students aged 15 to 29 years old with mentorship from Vaughan's business community and access to business advisory services and workshops to help them develop the skills needed to become Vaughan's future leaders. Through this program, participants also have the opportunity to receive up to $3,000 in provincial grant funding to start their businesses.
Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre
Formerly known as Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre, the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) will increase awareness of Vaughan's region-leading small business services and accelerate its small business advisory services.
The VBEC offers a robust list of services, including:
- FREE business advisory consultations (virtual or in-person).
- business planning, budgeting, sales, marketing, strategy and research support.
- information on regulations, zoning, licensing, permits, business registration and legal structure.
- connection to funding sources, financing and grants.
- business workshops, seminars, events and networking opportunities.
QUOTE
"The City of Vaughan is committed to supporting small and large businesses. The Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre and the Summer Company program are excellent resources that provide advisory consultations, workshops, networking opportunities and more for entrepreneurs and business owners who have and continue to play a meaningful role in Vaughan's transformational city-building journey. Together, we've welcomed two subway connections, Canada's first smart hospital, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, and Vaughan's first-ever university, Niagara University. Our city is home to remarkable companies that create jobs for more than 225,000 people. Vaughan remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs because we understand that our strength lies in their success. By continuing to work together, I remain confident that for Vaughan, the best is yet to come."
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- The Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre and Summer Company kickoff event took place on Thursday, July 7 at Niagara University (2904 Highway 7).
- Up-and-coming student entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas at the event to an audience of friends, family and other entrepreneurs and received feedback from industry professionals.
- The Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre was reintroduced to the business community during the event.
- Niagara University is located in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - the City's emerging downtown. Niagara University is a milestone development for both the City and the community as Vaughan's first-ever university. The City continues to partner with Niagara University as it grows as an academic institution and community hub, including for entrepreneurial events such as this one.
LEARN MORE
- City of Vaughan's business support webpage
- Summer Company webpage
- Vaughan Metropolitan Centre webpage
- Public service announcement: Celebrating Vaughan's Student Entrepreneurs
