Just wanted to start things off with applications to startup accelerators and incubators. For those who are willing to trek to the south of the border, TechStars NYC’s application deadline is coming up on May the 26. Also, be sure to check out Young Entrepreneurs Club’s 10-week launchpad program which hit our radar recently. Applications are due May 25.
On to notable Canadian startup news! Congrats to Sarah Prevette, nominated to the prestigious “Wired Women of Canada” list on The Globe and Mail. It didn’t occur to me until recently that serial entrepreneur and prominent angel angel investor, Dan Martell’s aptly named Canadian startup blog, Maple Butter has launched. Lots of articles are coming out of there that are packed full of insight and value and another great addition to the Canadian startup ecosystem.
As for this week’s events be sure to check out 2020 Media Futures at OCAD, OCE Discovery, DemoCamp, and The Foundery’s Mixer – a new hacker and startup space that recently popped up. If you haven’t yet registered for OCE Discovery 2011, Mesh Conference or StartupWeekend Toronto, make sure to do so as they are quickly approaching.
As always, please let us know if we’re missing any key events and we’ll be glad to include them in future digests through our submission form. We are also open to partnerships with other members of the Toronto tech and entrepreneur community. If you or anyone you know would be interested in partnering with StartupDigest to offer discounts on events, memberships and more, please have them contact us at josh@thestartupdigest.com and will@thestartupdigest.com.
– Josh
Toronto StartupDigest is curated by:
Will Lam – Founder of Date Ideas and keeps a blog on Entrepreneurship
Josh Sookman – CEO, Guardly
What’s Going on in the Toronto Startup Community
2020 Media Futures: Implications for Action
When: Monday, May 16, 2011. 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Where: OCAD University, Auditorium, 100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON2020
Media Futures and the Mobile Experience Innovation Centre (MEIC) invite you to the first public presentation of 2020 Media Futures scenarios and the launch of MEIC’s Mobile Accelerator Program.
Minimum Viable Everything Part 2 – Go to Market Strategy
When: Monday, May 16, 2011. 8-10 PM
Where: Yorkville Media Centre, 46 Hayden St, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON
How do you actually take your product/service to market? Workshop takeaway: short term action plan to get the product to market a.s.a.p.
#LeanCoffeeTO – Episode 34 Tuesday & Thursday Sessions
When: Tuesday, May 17, 2011. 8-9 AM. May 19, 2011. 8-9 AM
Where: The Working Group, 639 Queen St W, Toronto, ON & Jar Creative, 116 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON
You would enjoy Lean Coffee TO if you:
-Have recently started or are about to start a business
-Want to participate in discussions and activities about lean startups
-Are looking to learn more about lean thinking Like good coffee and conversation
Time permitting, we will discuss any topics, trends, or case-study type items that emerge. Any suggestions, comments and/or refinements to the proposed topic are welcome as always.
InPlay 2011
When: Tuesday, May 17-18, 2011.
Where: Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Road, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
INplay is a unique, international event that connects kids creative industries with insights and opportunities in the interactive space. From the video game business to the broadcast industry, from toys to toons, the INplay conference brings together leaders in the kids space to learn, network and be inspired by the future of kids interactive digital media.
OCE Discovery 2011
When: Wednesday, May 18-19, 2011.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON
Discovery brings together key players from industry, academia, government, the investment community as well as entrepreneurs and students to pursue collaboration opportunities. Garnering close to 2,500 attendees and more than 325 exhibitors, Discovery is a showcase of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research from sectors such as health, manufacturing, digital media and cleantech, including energy, environment and water.
DemoCamp @ OCE Discovery 2011
When: Thursday, May 19, 2011. 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON
Inspired by Toronto’s tech community, see showcase technologies presented in five minute demos by some of the community’s hottest inspiring web, mobile and social media startups.
HTML 5 Meet & Learn – Web Sockets
When: Thursday, May 19, 2011. 7 PM
Where: Liberty Noodle, 171 East Liberty St, #100, Toronto, ON
Come out and meet other HTML5ers, have fun, and learn a few things! Topic: Web Sockets.
#NerdLearn – The Future of Rails
When: Thursday, May 19, 2011. 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Where: TWG Headquarters – Burroughes Building, 639 Queen Street West, Unit 501, Toronto, ON
Hot off the heels of RailsConf in Baltimore The Working Group (TWG) be hosting a 3-person panel on the “Future of Rails” featuring Toronto tech leaders: Pete Forde (Unspace); Scott Tadman (TWG); and Kevin Faustino (Nulayer).
Foundery Mixer
When: Thursday, May 19, 2011. 6:30 – 9 PM
Where: 376 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON
Foundery mixer + pitchfest. We’re due for another networking event where we introduce the variety of ways our space and community can benefit your needs.
Ruby Job Fair / Rails Pub Nite
When: Friday, May 20, 2011. 5:30 – 7 PM followed by Rails Pub Nite
Where: 342 Queen St. West, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON
The Ruby Job Fair will be starting at 5:30pm sharp. We mean sharp. So sharp. Drinks and an open, unhindered forum for finding your next rails gig or hiring your next ninja will be provided.
The Special Rooftop Edition of Rails Pub Night starts at 7, and is open to all denizens of planet earth (so long as you’ve registered – we’ll be checking).
Top Upcoming Toronto Startup Events
May 23 – Minimum Viable Everything Part 3 – Business Infrastructure
May 24 – MaRS Best Practices – SaaS Math
May 25 - Mesh Conference
May 25 – MaRS Entrepreneurship 101 – UpStart! Competition
May 26 – Girls in Tech Mesh Afterparty
May 26 – Ruby HackNight
May 27 – Gamification Workshop Toronto
May 30 – Beer and JavaScript
May 30 – Hacks/Hackers Meetup
June 2 – TechnologicTO
June 3-5 – StartupWeekend Toronto
June 4-5 – Random Hacks of Kindness Toronto
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How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.
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