BRAMPTON, ON (October 14, 2021) – The City of Brampton continues to revitalize and unlock the economic potential of its downtown by building an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem: the Brampton Innovation District. With agreements starting in 2019, the City has committed to investing approximately $20.5 million in its Innovation District, with an additional approximately $55.2 million in investments being drawn in by Innovation District partners.
From 2019 to 2021, six new partners have established their presence in the Innovation District. Partners in the Innovation District include entrepreneurial, business incubation, post-secondary training, and accelerator spaces like the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, BHive Brampton, the Ryerson-led Venture Zone, Altitude Accelerator, the Founder Institute, Algoma University, and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst Headquarters and Accelerator. Sheridan Edge, the Brampton Board of Trade and Downtown Brampton BIA are also key partners in building the Innovation District.
Building on Term of Council Priorities, the transformational initiatives underway will help create complete communities, unlock economic potential and reinforce Brampton’s unique position on the Innovation Corridor.
Throughout COVID-19, the City has continued to spur downtown investment and enhance new developments in Brampton’s core. The continued evolution of the City’s Innovation District is a key piece of its Economic Recovery Strategy, and will help the City move forward from the impacts of the pandemic with a focus on sectors poised for continued growth, like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
To learn more about the Innovation District, visit www.bramptoninnovationdistrict.com or watch the City’s video highlighting the impacts of this innovation ecosystem.
Quick Facts
- The City and Innovation District partners have hosted 3,288 sessions, workshops and events geared towards encouraging and fostering innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in the Innovation District. These sessions included one-on-one business consultations, trainings, startup workshops, & cybersecurity education campaigns and were attended by more than 12,000 participants.
- Innovation District partners continue to provide skilled employment opportunities in downtown Brampton and have hired 49 employees to date. BHive Brampton has engaged with 73 international startups since opening in May 2021, and has accepted 14 international startups into their incubator program.
- In July, the City announced it had selected Diamond Schmitt as the architect for its transformational Centre for Innovation. The CFI will be located centrally in Brampton’s downtown core and support the presence of current and future postsecondary institutions in the city such as Algoma University, Ryerson University and the University of Guelph-Humber. It will be a collaborative space offering a new central library and play an integral role in connecting postsecondary institutions with local businesses and start-ups and help connect Brampton’s workforce with skilled jobs of the future. It will be a gateway and landmark for train passengers entering or departing the city from the Downtown Brampton GO station.
- Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst has been awarded $1.9 million by Employment and Skills Development Canada through the Future Skills Centre Program. The funds will be used to support the expansion of the Accelerated Cybersecurity Training Program to reach more diverse learners and for research into how training programs can reach diverse demographic groups.
Quotes
“Brampton is in the midst of an exciting transformation, and together with our partners, we are putting the necessary building blocks in place to develop our Innovation District into a major education and innovation hub. As we continue to navigate this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are promoting a dynamic startup community, developing local talent and supporting entrepreneurs, and advancing economic recovery for our residents and businesses. Brampton is truly emerging as a global leader in innovation.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“The continued evolution of our Innovation District is a key piece of the City’s Economic Recovery Strategy, and, together with our partners, we continue to generate investment in our downtown core as we move forward from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. By moving forward with our transformational Centre for Innovation and establishing Brampton as an innovation and entrepreneurship hub, we are driving growth in downtown Brampton that will benefit all our residents.”
– Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor, Wards 3&4; Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton– Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1&5; Vice-Chair, Economic Development and Culture, City of Brampton
“We’re revitalizing and unlocking the potential of our downtown, and creating complete communities by furthering key initiatives in our Innovation District that will benefit our residents, students and entrepreneurs. Brampton means business, and together with our valued Innovation District partners, we are building a world-class education and innovation hub, right in the heart of our city.”– David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
“The City of Brampton continues to lead the way in developing our city into an education and innovation hub to benefit our entire community. With our prime location on Canada’s Innovation Corridor, valued partnerships, and skilled and diverse talent pool, we are unlocking the potential of our downtown and building an Innovation District for residents, students and businesses to thrive.”Be in-the-know about Brampton’s business community
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About the City of Brampton
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 700,000 people and 100,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Visit brampton.ca to learn more.
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