York Link - York Region Economic Development

York Link - York Region Economic Development York Region: Where Talent And Opportunity Intersect York Link is the Investment & Marketing team for York Region’s Economic Strategy division.

Sharing York Region’s story with the world helps attract new business & jobs to the region, improving the quality of life for all who live and work here. In partnership with the Region’s nine local cities and towns the York Link team provides strategic “one-stop shop” support services for Canadian and international companies looking to establish operations in York Region, part of the Greater Toron

to Area, as well as established local businesses in the Region seeking to expand. We offer advisory support services, research, partnership development and marketing to help retain, grow and attract businesses in York Region. Located in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), York Region is home to 1.2 million residents, over 54,000 businesses, 650,000 jobs, four urban growth centres, and Canada’s highest concentration of technology companies. As Ontario’s fastest growing large municipality and third largest business hub, York Region is a top destination in the Toronto area and Canada for business, talent, and investment.

STARTER COMPANY PLUS APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOONIf you’re looking to launch or grow a small business in northern York Regi...
06/23/2026

STARTER COMPANY PLUS APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON
If you’re looking to launch or grow a small business in northern York Region, the Starter Company Plus program can give you the momentum you need.

Through the program, you can gain access to grant funding of up to $5,000, mentorship from experienced local entrepreneurs, personalized training and advisory support, and opportunities to join exclusive workshops and networking events.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and eligible applicants will be invited to a one‑on‑one consultation to discuss their business plan and next steps. Early applications are encouraged, as consultation spots with our Small Business Advisors fill quickly.

Submit your application before 4:30 p.m. on June 26, 2026, to be considered.

🔗 Learn more and apply at yorklink.ca/StarterCompanyPlus

PARTNERS AND DELEGATES CELEBRATE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE OVIN REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SITE IN YORK REGION; ACCELE...
06/22/2026

PARTNERS AND DELEGATES CELEBRATE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE OVIN REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SITE IN YORK REGION; ACCELERATING SMART MOBILITY INNOVATION

On June 19, 2026, York Region was named a Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) within the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), during an announcement at Megalab Group Inc. in Aurora.

York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe highlighted the importance of the RTDS in York Region, strengthening the Region's position as a leader in Ontario’s innovation and smart mobility ecosystem.

Supported by an investment of up to $2.5 million from the Government of Ontario through OVIN, the York Region RTDS will include a $4.4 million contribution from York Region and other public sector partners and more than $8 million from private sector partners for a total investment of nearly $15 million.

The York Region RTDS is one of nine OVIN RTDS locations in Ontario announced by Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Victor Fedeli earlier this year.

Small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to access YSpace, ventureLAB, and real‑world testing environments, connecting them with the partners and resources needed to accelerate their path to market. York Region will complement the strong resources from strategic partners with critical infrastructure and real-world testing environments.

The York Region RTDS is supported by the Region’s nine municipalities in addition to a network of private-sector partners. These include Siemens, The MathWorks, Google Cloud, DVLR Electric, FyeLabs, Megalab Group, Würth Elektronik, Innovance Solutions, Bhole IP Law, Mantle, ZerotoOne Strategic, Ramudden Digital, Synopsys, SolidWorks, OVHcloud and Microart Services.

Thank you to Garry Lee and the Megalab team for hosting the announcement.

We look forward to the continued collaboration with the province, OVIN, Ontario Centre of Innovation, program partners, and the innovative companies that will shape the future of mobility.
Learn more: york.ca/newsroom/media-release/york-region-announced-ovin-regional-technology-development-site

Augmented Reality(AR) isn’t just for big brands anymore, it’s becoming a game‑changer for small businesses and service p...
06/18/2026

Augmented Reality(AR) isn’t just for big brands anymore, it’s becoming a game‑changer for small businesses and service providers too.

If you’re a landscaper, interior designer, boutique owner, or any business that relies on visuals to sell, AR‑driven Visual Discovery can boost customer confidence and increase conversions.

At our upcoming free webinar, we'll break down:
🔹 What is AR-driven visual discovery
🔹How small businesses can use Google’s Product Studio to turn simple 2D photos into 3D‑like visuals
🔹Practical ways to help customers “try before they buy” without expensive tech

📅 Visual Search & Augmented Reality: “Try Before You Buy” for Small Biz
🗓️ Monday, June 22, 10–11 a.m.

🔗 Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4S-DiNnRQruVYx1s7bFBQw #/registration

Can’t attend? Explore more events for businesses at yorklink.ca/events

Looking to start or expand your small business in northern York Region? The Starter Company Plus program could be the bo...
06/16/2026

Looking to start or expand your small business in northern York Region? The Starter Company Plus program could be the boost you are looking for!

What you can access?
✔️ A chance to receive a grant of up to $5,000!
✔️ Mentorship from experienced local entrepreneurs
✔️ Tailored training and business advisory services
✔️ Access to exclusive workshops and networking opportunities

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants will be invited to a one‑on‑one consultation to review their application and discuss next steps.

Early applications are encouraged, as consultation spots with our Small Business Advisors fill quickly.

Apply before 4:30 p.m. on June 26, 2026 to secure your chance to move forward.

Learn more and apply: yorklink.ca/startercompanyplus

YORK REGION AND EDC SUPPORTING AGRI-FOOD COMPANIES TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW GLOBAL MARKETSOn June 10, York Link -...
06/11/2026

YORK REGION AND EDC SUPPORTING AGRI-FOOD COMPANIES TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW GLOBAL MARKETS
On June 10, York Link - York Region Economic Development and Export Development Canada - Exportation et développement Canada (EDC) hosted a Food and Beverage Roundtable at Yspace Markham focusing on market diversification and access to financing.

With a strong food and beverage sector in the Region, many businesses are looking to expand their market reach. Exporting remains a proven pathway to growth. Exporters earn, on average, 121% more revenue than non-exporters. That’s why we partnered with EDC to share insights and strategies for companies looking to diversify.

EDC shared practical pathways for entering international markets and provided tools to help companies move from ideas to action. Attendees also heard from sector experts who shared real-world insights on entering global markets.

Key insights from the panelists included:
🔹Derrick DiVatta, Coveted Cakes: Be consistent in your message, delivery, and relationships. De-risk where you can and hedge through diversification. Compliance matters—double check everything.
🔹Paul Do, Toute Sweets Bakery: The lessons are in your bottom line. Keep learning, no matter how long you’ve been in business. Maximize your distribution channels at home first, then partner with organizations like EDC to expand and refine your export strategy.
🔹Tom Liu, Farm Credit Canada: Compliance, regulation, and the right certifications are foundational to sustainable export growth.
🔹Debbi Conzelmann, King Cole Ducks: Diversification should always be on the table in strategic planning. Canadian food is highly respected worldwide for safety and quality—having accredited certifications gives you an extra edge.
🔹Jacqueline Dawes, CRS Packaging: People and partnerships are key. Plan everything down to the last detail and bring your partners, including financial institutions and organizations like EDC, into the conversation early. It costs nothing but time to start.

Attendees had the opportunity to showcase their products and participate in one-on-one consultations with EDC.

Thank you to all attendees and our speakers for their contributions and to EDC for the great collaboration on this event.
If you’re interested in future events like this, subscribe to our agri-food newsletter: yorklink.ca/agrifoodnewsletter

This past weekend, student entrepreneurs from the York Small Business Enterprise Centre’s 2026 Summer Company program ki...
06/09/2026

This past weekend, student entrepreneurs from the York Small Business Enterprise Centre’s 2026 Summer Company program kicked off the season at the Aurora Street Festival, connecting with hundreds of community members.

This year’s cohort brings an exciting mix of businesses from fitness programs, home security installations to wedding and evening gown rentals, deck restoration and more.

Thank you to everyone who came out to meet these talented young entrepreneurs and support local small business development.

The students will continue showcasing their businesses throughout the summer. Follow along on our socials to see where they’ll be next!

SITE VISIT: CPG AEROSPACE | WORLD-CLASS PARTS MANUFACTURER FOR 40+ AIRCRAFT PLATFORMSThank you to CPG Aerospace for we...
06/05/2026

SITE VISIT: CPG AEROSPACE | WORLD-CLASS PARTS MANUFACTURER FOR 40+ AIRCRAFT PLATFORMS
Thank you to CPG Aerospace for welcoming the York Region Economic Development team and Chris Emanuel from Newmarket Economic Development to their advanced manufacturing facility.

CPG Aerospace, located in the Town of Newmarket, is a leader in non-metallic component manufacturing, specializing in aerospace structural plastics and advanced composites, with products in more than 40 aircraft production platforms worldwide.

Highly informative discussion and facility tour with CPG's Matthew Waddington, Michael Waddington, and Peter Ferraro on the company's operations and growth opportunities.

The sector is the third largest in Ontario, with more than 2,600 manufacturers across York Region’s nine cities and towns. It is a key contributor to supply chains in automotive, aerospace, technology, and other critical sectors, with products sold across Canada and around the world.

Thanks again to the team at CPG Aerospace and our partners on the Town of Newmarket Economic Development team.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE TODAY! If you’re an equity‑deserving or Indigenous entrepreneur with a food product idea, this free 2...
06/05/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE TODAY!

If you’re an equity‑deserving or Indigenous entrepreneur with a food product idea, this free 26‑week program can help you build or grow your business in 2026.

What you’ll get:
✅ Weekly mentorship & business entrepreneurship training
✅ $2,000 in commercial kitchen credits with guided in-kitchen sessions
✅ Indigenous‑led support and mentorship
✅ A final showcase to debut your product and network with industry peers

If you’re ready to commit 4–8 hours a week and launch within 6 months, we want to hear from you.

Apply by 5 p.m. on June 5, 2026.

Visit yorklink.ca/FoodStartup to apply.

This project is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

SITE VISIT: MIS ELECTRONICS | DRIVING INNOVATION IN ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURINGOur team, alongside our partners at Richm...
06/04/2026

SITE VISIT: MIS ELECTRONICS | DRIVING INNOVATION IN ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING
Our team, alongside our partners at Richmond Hill Economic Development had the opportunity to visit MIS Electronics. Impressive to see firsthand the advanced work they’re doing in electronics manufacturing, from precision assembly to quality assurance.

MIS Electronics is a homegrown Canadian success story and a recognized leader in electronics contract manufacturing and printed circuit board production. Their facility in Richmond Hill is one example of the strength of the local sector.

The company has a strong commitment to doing R&D locally and this is driving forward a portfolio of dual-use applications and made-in-Canada IP. As MIS looks to expand further into the aerospace and defence sector, part of our discussion focused on our Canadian Defence Market Entry Roadmap (https://yorklink.ca/defence); plus other key takeaways from our time at the CANSEC Conference in May.

Thank you to MIS Electronics President Saeid Mohmedi, Vice President John Tryhub, and colleagues for the discussion and tour, and to Brenda Osler for the collaborative visit.

06/03/2026

June 1 to 7 is Local Food Week, shining a spotlight on the farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants who bring fresh, local food to our tables and nourish our communities. 🥕🍓🥖

Looking to explore what’s grown and made close to home? The York Farm Fresh Guide makes it easy to find farm‑fresh products, markets and unique local experiences across the Region.

Learn more: https://www.york.ca/newsroom/news/celebrate-local-food-week-2026-york-farm-fresh-guide

Address

17250 Yonge Street
Newmarket, ON
L3Y6Z1

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18774649675

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