Upcoming Events
Fall Breakfast Meetup: Transforming Operations Through People, Process, and Technology
Are you a small business owner overwhelmed by the growing demand for your products or services? Are you spending more time managing the day-to-day operations than focusing on the passions that inspired your business in the first place? Are you finding it challenging to navigate the myriad of technology options available to streamline your operations? Join us for an insightful discussion on how to optimize your business processes, strategically leverage technology to enhance efficiency, and reclaim your time!
Learn more and signup here:
Business Development Centre Open House
You’re invited to Kick-Off Small Business Week with the Collingwood Business Development Centre!
Crafting Your Value Proposition: Small Business Workshop
Elevate your business strategy with SBEC’s Value Proposition Workshop! This dynamic session is tailored to help you clearly define and articulate the unique value your product or service brings to the market. Through interactive exercises and expert-led discussions, you'll learn to pinpoint what sets you apart from competitors and how to communicate this effectively to your target audience.
Location: Wasaga Beach Public Library - Learning Lab - 544 River Rd W, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2P1
When: Thursday August 22 - 1pm - 3:30pm
Investment: Free
Customer Discovery: Small Business Workshop
Unlock your business potential with SBEC’s Customer Discovery Workshop! Designed for forward-thinking entrepreneurs and businesses, this in-person intensive session delves deep into understanding your target market and identifying your key customer needs. Through hands-on activities and expert guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights that drive product market fit. Transform your ideas into actionable strategies and achieve sustained growth.
Location: Wasaga Beach Public Library - Learning Lab
When: Thursday July 25 - 1pm - 3:30pm
Investment: Free
Ask an Expert: Understanding Intellectual Property
Join Jarrod Hicks, Director of Intellectual Property for Intellecutal Property Ontario, to learn about the importance of Intellectual Property, how to budget properly, and learn more about IPON services and resources. This session will leave you with a better understanding of how to safeguard your intellectual property with an opportunity for you to ask the expert your questions.
This session is part of the “Ask an Expert” series presented in partnership with the County of Simcoe, the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia, South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre, Orillia Area Community Development Corporation, Nottawasaga Futures, North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation, Community Futures South Georgian Bay, Sandbox Centre, Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre – Georgian College, and Lakehead University.
Advanced AI Workshop & Networking BBQ
Missed getting tickets to our Advanced AI Workshop on June 27?
Join us after the workshop for a networking BBQ! This will be an opportunity to connect with other local entrepreneurs with the same dedication to innovating in their business.
Why Attend?
Enjoy a delicious BBQ meal provided by Living Water Resort (gluten free and veggie options available)
Connect with the GB Accelerator team to learn more about our programs
Ask workshop participants what they learned and connect with our AI Mentors.
📅 Thursday, June 27
🕛 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
📍 Atoka House, Collingwood ON
Workforce Connect Conference
Join Simcoe County at the Workforce Connect Conference!
Learn from industry leaders about creating workplaces that enhance the employee’ experience, developing inclusive hiring strategies, recruiting international talent via the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, and much more!
Hosted at the Snow Valley Ski Resort.
AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs (Virtual)
The AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs is hosted by the Town of Innisfil, in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures and the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund.
Event Details:
Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13 (weekly sessions on Thursdays )
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online (Zoom Meeting)
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024
Visit the link for information on what will be covered in all three sessions.
AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs (Virtual)
The AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs is hosted by the Town of Innisfil, in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures and the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund.
Event Details:
Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13 (weekly sessions on Thursdays )
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online (Zoom Meeting)
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024
Visit the link for information on what will be covered in all three sessions.
Georgian Bay Accelerator Community Meetup
On May 30th, we’re hosting the first GB Accelerator Community Meetup.
This event will bring together our community of mentors, alumni, current companies and startup ecosystem players to connect and spark magic.
This meetup will be a casual way for you to connect with high-growth South Georgian Bay companies, meet our pool of incredible mentors, and ultimately, nurture collaboration in our local entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Hosted in partnership with the Small Business Development Centre and The Collingwood Foundry, this event will be a great mix of networking, fun and mutual support!
The details
One drink ticket per guest
Light appetizers will be provided
Refreshements and food available for purchase
Limited space available so grab your ticket asap
AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs (Virtual)
The AI Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs is hosted by the Town of Innisfil, in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures and the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund.
Event Details:
Dates: May 30, June 6, June 13 (weekly sessions on Thursdays )
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online (Zoom Meeting)
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024
Visit the link for information on what will be covered in all three sessions.
Impossible Metals Open House - Collingwood
Visit the Impossible Metals lab to see their latest prototype - Eureka II - and learn about the environmental problems they are solving.
Rising Tides: A Pitch Night
Rising Tides is an opportunity for 4 local entrepreneurs to share what they’ve been working on and ask an audience of community supporters for whatever they need to get their business to the next level! After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.
You Should Attend If You Are:
an entrepreneur with experience to share
a lover of the South Georgian Bay and your fellow SGBers
an investor looking for unique opportunities
a consumer of local goods and services
Get you tickets starting April 23rd
Rising Tides: A Pitch Night (Application Deadline)
It is time to make a BIG step for your business growth. Whether you have an established business with big plans to grow or you have been working to launch a new business, we want to give you the spotlight.
That is why the Collingwood Foundry is hosting the Rising Tides Pitch Night. This event will be a chance for 4 local entrepreneurs to share what they’ve been working on and ask an audience of community supporters for whatever they need to get their business to the next level!
This event will provide a comfortable space for you to gain practical experience and valuable feedback on your 5-minute pitch and presentation, and tangible solutions to barriers you are currently facing.
Eligible entrepreneurs have:
- Been working on their business for at least one year (starting from when you had the idea)
- Have growth goals for the business
- Are looking for support and new perspective to reach those goals
Selected pitchers will have 5 minutes to pitch and up to 15 minutes for feedback, questions, and gives from the audience.
The pitches will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00pm
Innovation Unleashed: Turbocharge Your Business with AI
If you attened this event in February, this will be an exact repeat for those who were on the waitlist. Tickets will open to the waitlist first, and then to the public on March 18th.
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Join us for a morning of inspiration and networking at the "Entrepreneur Breakfast Meet-up", hosted by Georgian Bay Accelerator and the South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Center!
Whether you've never used AI or have been exploring it since it exploded into the business world last year - this event will be an opportunity to learn how to leverage AI as a growth tool for your business.
Our speaker, Jon Gillham from Collingwood-based Originality.AI will answer questions like:
Which AI tools should you be exploring?
What should you use AI for? What shouldn't you?
Where is the best place to start?
Fuel your entrepreneurial spirit with coffee and pastries while mingling with like-minded individuals.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 18th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at the Collingwood Library (room TBA). Don't miss this opportunity to network, learn, and take your business to the next level!
Admission to this event is $10 and includes coffee and pastries.
Common Ground
A weekly entrepreneur meetup that takes place on the main floor of The Foundry every Wednesday from 9-10am.
Entrepreneurs from around South Georgian Bay gather at the long table to share wins, discussion challenges, and support each other. You don't have to be a Foundry member to attend.
The heart of it is what they call "netgiving over networking", and thats the value that establishes the foundation of the conversations that take place.
TARA TALKS: WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Unlock your potential at the Sandbox Centre’s vibrant event for women in business!
Experience electrifying keynotes, business upskilling, and dive into the latest social media and marketing trends. Network with inspiring women, enjoy a delicious lunch, and embrace mental wellness techniques for success. Step into a day of growth and connection!
Hype or opportunity? What AI means for your business
Join BDC for this virtual event.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize your business. But between media noise and misinformation, how do you identify real business opportunities?
Answer these questions by attending BDC’s free webinar and learn how to separate fact from fiction.
The event will be hosted by Chrystal Healy, Assistant Vice-President of Corporate Sustainability, who will be joined by Samuel Easto-Lefebvre and Ki Young Son, two colleagues specializing in technology and digital strategies.
Small Biz Professional Panel
Join the Small Business Enterprise Centre on March 20 for an educational quickfire panel covering small business topics pertaining to law, human resources and accounting.
Meet the panel:
Vanessa Locicero – Business Lawyer at Locicero Legal Professional Corporation
Lil Rourke – CEO and Chartered Professional Accountant at The Rourke Group
Maha Zaki – Human Resources Management Consultant at Consulcoach
The panel will cover things like:
Common queries and hurdles in your business
Setting yourself up for success
How to be a better client when hiring industry professionals like HR, lawyers and accountants
Small business tips + tricks
There will also a Q+A period to give you a chance to dig deeper and ask questions related to your business.
Marketing Your Business with AI Tools
As businesses continue to explore new and innovative ways to improve efficiency and stay ahead of the competition, AI is becoming an increasingly important tool. In particular, Chat GPT, an advanced form of natural language processing, has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses communicate with customers and drive marketing efforts. If you're looking to enhance the effectiveness of your marketing strategies or create efficiencies in your marketing and business tasks, then you won't want to miss our upcoming webinar. We will provide valuable insights into the benefits of Chat GPT as well as other AI tools and explain how this technology can help your business achieve its goals. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge that can take your marketing efforts to the next level.
Common Ground
A weekly entrepreneur meetup that takes place on the main floor of The Foundry every Wednesday from 9-10am.
Entrepreneurs from around South Georgian Bay gather at the long table to share wins, discussion challenges, and support each other. You don't have to be a Foundry member to attend.
The heart of it is what they call "netgiving over networking", and thats the value that establishes the foundation of the conversations that take place.
Common Ground
A weekly entrepreneur meetup that takes place on the main floor of The Foundry every Wednesday from 9-10am.
Entrepreneurs from around South Georgian Bay gather at the long table to share wins, discussion challenges, and support each other. You don't have to be a Foundry member to attend.
The heart of it is what they call "netgiving over networking", and thats the value that establishes the foundation of the conversations that take place.
Making Connections: A Celebration of International Women's Day
Join the Small Business Enterprise Centre, Onward Consulting & Community Futures for an inspiring, interactive evening of honouring and celebrating entrepreneurs as we mark International Women’s Day together with a beautiful dinner at downtown Collingwood gem, Sol Kitchen.
Meet growth-minded entrepreneurs and business owners in a fun, friendly environment
Mingle and share in dynamic, lightly-facilitated breakouts
Celebrate your successes, get help with struggles, and gather new ideas and inspirations
Hosted by local facilitator, Sandra Kahale, this popular annual event is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, enjoy engaging, authentic conversations, and share a great meal with like-minded business owners.
Industry Panel: Optimize Your Business Using AI
Join Lakehead University for an insightful industry panel on harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support your business. Discover innovative strategies and practical applications as industry leaders share their expertise on leveraging AI for growth and efficiency.
Location:
OA 1022, Simcoe Hall
4 to 6 p.m.
The details:
Free parking
Refreshments will be provided
Opportunity to network prior to the panel discussion
Get The Most Out Of Google Analytics
Presented by your Local Digital Service Squad.
Unlock the full potential of your online presence with our Google Analytics webinar. Whether you're a seasoned user or new to the platform, join us as we delve into essential topics such as upgrading to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), exploring new features, interpreting data effectively, and gaining valuable insights through live Q&A sessions. Elevate your data-driven decision-making—register now and stay ahead in the world of digital analytics
Common Ground
A weekly entrepreneur meetup that takes place on the main floor of The Foundry every Wednesday from 9-10am.
Entrepreneurs from around South Georgian Bay gather at the long table to share wins, discussion challenges, and support each other. You don't have to be a Foundry member to attend.
The heart of it is what they call "netgiving over networking", and thats the value that establishes the foundation of the conversations that take place.
Video & Photography on a Budget
Join your local Digital Service Squad for their next free webinar.
Quality photo and video content is vital to businesses living online today. Want to learn how to bring your A-game without needing to invest thousands? We will be sharing tips and budget friendly gear suggestions to take your photos and videos to the next level.
Entrepreneurs Open Jam
Part business growth, part philathropy, and part networking, these morning coffee sessions are designed for collaborative conversations, and to explore new ideas and spark curiosity.
Join SaltWater Creative Space for discussion around themes posed by participants, problem solving for current business challenges you might be facing, and to help others with your own expertise.
You'll enjoy coffee and baked goods from one of the finest cafes and bakeries in Collingwood.
These events are curated by the participants, and hosted and faciliated by the team at Saltwater Creative Space. Further details, questions, and conversation prompts are shared with participants via email prior to the session.
Common Ground
A weekly entrepreneur meetup that takes place on the main floor of The Foundry every Wednesday from 9-10am.
Entrepreneurs from around South Georgian Bay gather at the long table to share wins, discussion challenges, and support each other. You don't have to be a Foundry member to attend.
The heart of it is what they call "netgiving over networking", and thats the value that establishes the foundation of the conversations that take place.
Canva for Small Business
Canva is a free design tool that is being continually upgraded with new easy-to-use features. Save time and money as you learn how to use what this amazing design app has to offer. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of using Canva to create designs that represent your brand and communicate your message effectively. Beginners are welcome.