Small Business Week Returns to Vaughan
Join the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre for free programming from Oct. 19 to Oct. 23!
Small businesses are the backbone of Vaughan’s economy, representing more than 87 per cent of all businesses in the city. To celebrate their contributions, the City of Vaughan’s Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) is hosting FREE Small Business Week programming from Monday, Oct. 19 to Friday, Oct. 23 for entrepreneurs, business owners and aspiring founders.
This year’s theme is It’s a two-speed world now—fast or finished. The City’s programming will explore how businesses can adapt and succeed amid tariff pressures, trade uncertainty, rising costs, workforce challenges and rapid technological change.
The week begins with a Kickoff Networking Event on Monday, Oct. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The HUB (290 Caldari Rd.). Hosted by VBEC in partnership with TechConnex, the event features networking, a keynote presentation by Monifa Brooks, co-founder of Garabyte, and a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs on leadership, resilience and growth.
Throughout the week, participants can take part in four in-person events and a series of virtual sessions exploring practical strategies to build resilience, improve productivity and drive growth. Programming also includes an Economic Outlook Session on Thursday, Oct. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.) featuring Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux, presented jointly with Food and Beverage Ontario.
Highlights include:
- Create Inclusive Workplaces: Queer Inclusion and Allyship – Virtually via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Leveling the Playing Field with Tech – Virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Hustle, Hobby or Hard No? – Virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Financing for Black Entrepreneurs – In person at Bathurst Clark Resource Library (900 Clark Ave.) and virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Networking with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce – In person at Costco Wholesale (55 New Huntington Rd.) on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Small Business Week is a nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small businesses make to our economy. The City’s programming for 2026 is being delivered in partnership with local business support organizations, including TechConnex, BDC, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, Futurpreneur, Food and Beverage Ontario, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and Vaughan Public Libraries.
For more information and to register for Small Business Week events, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/SBW.
VBEC
Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBAC) deliver provincially funded programs and services that help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed. With more than 50 centres across Ontario, OSBACs foster local business growth and strengthen communities across the province.
OSBAC programs and services are delivered by the VBEC and are funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.
VBEC provides information, referrals, advisory services, mentoring, workshops, networking opportunities and business resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages of development.
To learn more about starting or growing your business, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
Connect with Vaughan Economic Development
Connect with the team to discuss your business needs and explore available resources and opportunities at vaughanbusiness.ca/connect or ed@vaughan.ca.
Stay connected
Sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletters at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters and follow Vaughan Economic Development on LinkedIn.
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