About us

A joint partnership between the City of Brampton and Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, Brampton Venture Zone is a purpose-driven, non-equity incubator that is dedicated to building and growing early stage technology startups in Brampton. We enable connections between aspiring entrepreneurs, current founders, industry experts, funders, and customers to build solutions that address hyperlocal issues in the community.

Our virtual programming teaches first-time founders the foundations of market development, enables industry partner collaborations and helps technology startups develop a playbook for market launch and growth beyond BVZ.

Our cohorts are comprised of entrepreneurs from all walks of life, from first time founders to serial entrepreneurs looking for a new challenge, or mid career professionals looking to pivot in their careers, we believe that entrepreneurship should be accessible to and inclusive of all. 

Discover why we're in Brampton and our significant contributions to the community in Brampton Venture Zone's Impact Report (2020-2023). Brampton Venture Zone has graduated 39 startups with $2.2 million in revenue, securing $9.7 million in dilutive funding, and $6.9 million in non-dilutive funding. Learn about our diverse target demographics of founders, spotlighted founders making impactful strides, media features highlighting our startups, and our robust community engagement through events and partnerships. Meet our esteemed Board of Advisors and the dedicated team propelling us forward in creating lasting impact in Brampton. Access the full report here.

On January 7, 2020, Toronto Metropolitan University, Formerly Ryerson University, and the City of Brampton issued a joint media release (opens in new window)  announcing the establishment of Brampton Venture Zone. Located within the burgeoning Brampton Innovation District, (external link, opens in new window)  BVZ aims to enhance the city’s social and economic vitality by supporting the growth of new business, creating high-skilled jobs, and solidifying Brampton’s standing as a global hub of innovation. The presence of BVZ will build a future talent pipeline in the City of Brampton and serve as a model economic growth engine for emerging cities of the future. BVZ works alongside community partners and organizations such as the RIC Centre (external link, opens in new window) , Brampton Entrepreneur Centre (external link, opens in new window) , BHive, (external link, opens in new window)  and Sheridan’s EDGE (external link, opens in new window)  centre as part of the City of Brampton’s overall 2040 vision and commitment to innovation.

Sector Focuses in Brampton

Community Health and Wellness- William Osler Health System, (external link)  is a hospital system that serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke, and surrounding communities within the Central West Local Health Integration Network. It consists of Peel memorial centre, Brampton civic hospital, Reactivation care centre and Etobicoke general hospital. The health system is dedicated to evaluating and implementing more patient inspired technologies to enable efficient, effective and innovative care for this diverse community.

Smart City, Mobility and Logistics- Located near Pearson airport and home to many logistics companies, the following are some of the largest goods movement employers in the region: Chrysler, Maple Lodge farms, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Canadian Tire and Maritime Ontario to name a few. CN Rail’s Brampton Intermodal Terminal (BIT) is the largest terminal in North America and is CN’s intermodal hub for the GTA and Southwestern Ontario, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week and nearly 60 percent of the railway’s system-wide intermodal business passes through the terminal.

Food Sustainability - Brampton’s food and beverage sector is a one-stop-shop, complete with food testing, processing and packaging facilities as well as transportation, packaging design, equipment and refrigeration storage all located within the city. It contributes $1.3 B to Canada’s GDP and 8,500 people are employed in 300 companies. Top employers include Loblaws, Maple Lodge, Coca-Cola, Give & Go prepared foods, Italpasta to name a few.

Advanced Manufacturing - It is the largest employment sector in Brampton; contributes $4B to the Canadian GDP, 1,500 companies employ 30,000 people. Top employers include FCA, ABB robotics, Magna, Almag aluminum, BMP metals to name a few. Home to the key post-secondary training through Sheridan College’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technology (CAMDT (external link) ) and Skilled Trades Centre (STC), Brampton is strategically positioned to support the diverse talent needs of the advanced manufacturing sector.