Startup Funding

Welcome to the Toronto Young Professional & Startup Enthusiast Meetup Group! Navigating work/personal life in this mega city can be challenging ! We welcome all the Toronto young professionals & startup lovers to join this community that provides you an inclusive and casual platform to share, discuss, and grow! No matter what career stage you are at, what industry you work for, or what startup idea you are brainstorming, this inclusive & vibrant community aims to help you embark on your new personal/work journey! If work sounds annoying to you or you are new to the city, you can just come have a coffee and meet new people! Let's exchange ideas and create new memories together! We welcome you to join us at Sweetway Cafe. We plan to meet weekly or biweekly at various locations in Toronto. If you have any suggestions for meeting locations or activities, feel free to let me know!

Navigating work/personal life in this mega city can be challenging ! We welcome all the Toronto young professionals & startup lovers to join this community that provides you an inclusive and casual platform to share, discuss, and grow! No matter what career stage you are at, what industry you work for, or what startup idea you are brainstorming, this inclusive & vibrant community aims to help you embark on your new personal/work journey! If work sounds annoying to you or you are new to the city, you can just come have a coffee and meet new people! No WFG members, Let's exchange ideas and create new memories together! We welcome you to join us at a new location; Sweetway Cafe **THE COFFEE SHOP IS EXCLUSIVLY OPEN FOR THIS EVENT AT THAT TIME, AND MAY NOT SERVE FOOD OR DRINKS** We plan to meet weekly or biweekly at various locations in Toronto.

🎟 **This is a paid event. Tickets must be purchased on Luma.** **Get yours: [https://luma.com/tiequest-2026](https://luma.com/tiequest-2026)** #### TiEQuest Summit 2026 - Building in Canada for the World A morning of big ideas, honest conversations, and real momentum, right in the heart of Toronto Tech Week. **🧠 What to Expect** Sharp talks and practical insights from founders, operators, and investors who are actually doing the work. No fluff, just the real story of what it takes to scale ambitious companies from Toronto to the world. **🤝 Who's in the Room** Founders at every stage. Operators building something meaningful. Investors looking for what's next. If you're shaping the future of Canadian tech, you belong here. **📍 Where** U of T Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, one of Canada's most exciting hubs for tech and entrepreneurship. **📅 Monday, May 25, 2026** **⏰ 8:30AM – 12:30PM** **📍 108 College St, Toronto, ON**

Dig your roots deeper and create the safety, security and trust you need before the fiery season of summer begins. **Join for the full 6 week series or 1 journey at a time.** *Each week Chris Dub will offer a beautiful combination of Kundalini & Yin Yoga plus Healing Soundscapes for each of you to be immersed in. You will also get to choose what Toro "Qi" Meditation Cushion you would like to use, to build your qi throughout your practice with the incredible "Toro" Qi building technology.* Join us each week for a Kundalini Yin Yoga Journey themed around the Root Chakra, as we find more stability, security, trust, safety and strength in ourselves. Create positive change for yourself one yoga posture at a time. Each class we aim to spur on the type of grace that leads to unconditional loving acceptance of yourself. You will be given the safe space to open up your mind, process your current life experiences, rejuvenate your spirit, access your creativity, grow your faith and become immersed in source awareness. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **This series will focus on reseting your nervous system through specific Kundalini Kriya's and a Guided slowing down of the fast paced, anxious energies we can get caught up in through our day-to-day. We will bring in radical acceptance of, and a surrender to, what 'is'.** **This surrendering to reality as it actually 'is' supports you to see the road to living in presence. It will become more and more apparent that there is nowhere else you want to be, and you'll be able to more easily remain here.** **Each journey you will calm your nervous system, ground, centre and open up your heart in real time. Allow yourself to move through stagnant energies in a conscious and loving way, to get your vital life force energy flowing with grace.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We will engage in particular kriya's, asana's, pranayama's, bhanda's (body locks), mantras and meditative techniques to support in awakening your kundalini in a graceful way & mastering your nervous system, mind, breath and your inner world. This is an integrative experience first and foremost, so we take our time to move forward with a gentle potency. You are encouraged and celebrated to move at your own pace. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- .:: 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗮 ::. Every class will have a deep, rejuvenating and integrative shivasana experience with soundbath, which will be different each week including gong, shruti box, steel tongue drum, crystal harp, crystal bowls, shamanic drumming, water stick, medicine songs and more. **.:: 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 ::.** **𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢 Yin 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚** (per class journey) $30 ($33.90 w/ tax) for 1 in-person journey (7:00 – 8:30 PM) $50 ($56.50 w/ tax) for a 2-journey pass (2 classes to be used in this 4 week series) $15 ($16.95 w/ tax) per zoom journey ***NEW 4 Class Pass*** $88 ($99.44 w/ tax) for 4 classes to be used anytime within 1 year of purchasing (In-Person or Online) $40 ($45.20 w/ tax) for 4 classes to be used anytime within 1 year of purchasing (Online Only) **𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 6 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬** Early Bird: $120 ($135.60 w/ tax)) in-person (includes the online zoom link) ends Feb 13th Regular Exchange: $130 ($146.90 w/ tax) in-person (includes the online zoom link) Zoom Classes: $50 ($56.50 w/tax) for all 6 E-Transfer to [chris@chrisdubkundalini.com](mailto:chris@chrisdubkundalini.com) the amount w/ taxes or pay via eventbrite **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **.:: 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 ::.** **6 Journey 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬** **\~ Begins: Monday, May 11th** **\~ Ends: Monday, June 15th** Each class is 7:00-8:30 PM Arrive between 6:35 - 6:55 PM to get settled (Doors close at 7:05 PM) **Located @ The Soul Sanctuary (303 Pape Ave)** **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** ***Come as you are and bring a water bottle, yoga mat (mats available) and wear comfortable clothing (optional: cushion, blanket).*** **.:: 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐛 ::.** **Intuitive Healer, Certified Kundalini & Hatha Yoga Teacher, Transformational Teacher & Guide, Quan Yin Energy Healer & Plant Medicine Ceremony Facilitator** Chris is devoted to cultivating and holding space for you to become more aware of your mental blocks and repressed emotions, which allows this energy to transform into a higher understanding of one’s self and your interconnectedness to all of nature. The result is a high degree of self love which leads to a letting go of past pain, hurt and trauma. Experience increased energy flow and creativity, zest for life, calmed nervous system, amplified self worth and deeper, more meaningful relationships. Chris is Yoga Alliance, KRI Certified, 3rd Lvl Babaji Kriya Yoga Initiate & holds a Diploma in Social Work. He teaches Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Self-Awareness Practices, Sound-Healing and Breath-Work classes and events. Chris facilitates transformational retreats and deep healing ceremonies, he also hosts the Sacred Brotherhood Men’s Group and Women’s & Men’s Love Circles. Chris has undergone intensive breath work, bodily cleansing, meditation and self-inquiry to move through chronic pain and find deeper depths of self-love since 2009. Chris is passionate about supporting you to bring self-awareness and energy flow practices to your daily life so you’re internal GPS can always be online, guiding you to the most heart nourishing and fulfilling experiences.

At our last April Meetup ([https://www.meetup.com/volition/events/313622208](https://www.meetup.com/volition/events/313622208)), we broke down what we called: **👉 “The best deal we’ve seen in Toronto in 20 years”** \~6% cap \~$11,000/month rent \~$2,500/month cashflow We didn’t finish. We stopped the presentation short. And, in fact… This is where the deal started to fall apart. **👉 We didn’t even get to the part where the real decisions had to be made.** Instead of people immediately leaving after the presentation was done: 👉 they stayed 👉 they kept asking questions 👉 and the #1 question was: **“When’s Part 2?”** **So here it is – Dead Reckoning: Part 2** (In true Mission Impossible style…) **No clean path forward. Just decisions under pressure.** If Part 1 was identifying the problem… **Part 2 is where we had to execute.** Where we left off: * Power of Sale (seller = lender, not owner) * No protections (Schedule C overrides) * Open permits with real risk * Legally a duplex… not a 5plex * Potential $250K HST exposure **Most investors would walk away here. But we didn’t.** In Part 2, we go into what happened next: * Financing starts to break down * The deal has to be restructured under pressure * Assignment is used to keep control * Appraisal isn’t ready… but a decision still has to be made * The buyer is forced to consider going firm without full certainty At multiple points, this could have: * collapsed entirely * failed financing at the last minute * or left the buyer exposed to problems they couldn’t unwind **This wasn’t a clean process.** It was a series of decisions made under pressure – where getting it wrong could have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. **And most of what mattered… wasn’t obvious.** **This is the part most people never see.** We aren’t talking about the numbers. We’re talking about: 👉 The decisions 👉 The pressure 👉 The execution when things aren’t clean We had to figure out how to move forward – without exposing the buyer to unnecessary risk. **Why this matters:** Most people don’t lose money on obvious bad deals. They lose money when: **“Something feels off… and they don’t know how to navigate it”** The biggest risks aren’t always the ones that look scary – they’re the ones people assume are fine. If you’re actively investing – or planning to – this is the part you need to understand. **You’ll leave with a very different lens on how to evaluate – and execute – deals like this.** Part 1 was about: 👉 Identifying risk Part 2 is about: 👉 What to do when everything starts breaking **Bottom line:** Anyone can analyze a deal. **Very few know how to execute when it gets messy.** We didn’t get through this last time – and we’re picking up exactly where the real execution began. **👉 Come see how this actually played out – and how deals like this get done in the real world.** **Note:** If you came to Part 1 – this is the continuation. If you didn’t – you can still attend… we will be doing a short recap of Part 1. **👉 Just know: this is where the real execution begins.** *** **Schedule:** **Monday, May 25, 2026, 6:00-9:00 pm** * 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Check-in and Networking (remember that your network is your net worth!) * 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Presentations from the Volition team **Location:** Suite#803, 105 Gordon Baker Road, North York, ON, M2H 3P8. (On the 8th floor of building 105, free underground parking available) \*\*\* **About the Speaker:** * **Matthew Lee,** Founder of Volition Properties, is a thought leader and advocate. Matt is passionate about the transformative change that real estate investing offers when done correctly. Working with investors for over 15 years, Matt has helped clients build over $100M in wealth through strategic Toronto real estate investments, all the while building this Meetup Group into the largest in Toronto with over 5000+ members. Matt brings practical, tested approaches – not theory – to help you structure better deals and maximize upside. * **Ming Lim,** Managing Partner of Volition Properties, is a passionate educator and brings 25 years of real estate investment experience in Toronto, the GTA, and Southwestern Ontario. He loves nothing more than to teach, mentor, and advise. Ming’s background in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and construction experience give him a unique analytical lens on investing and a practical approach to implementing investing strategies. *** **Volition Properties:** *Make smarter real estate moves — buy, sell, or invest with confidence. Volition Properties offers tailored advice, education, and community — grounded in strategy, built on trust.* Contact us today for any questions about real estate in Toronto! 📧 info@volitionprop.com 🌐 [www.volitionprop.com](https://www.volitionprop.com "https://www.volitionprop.com") 📞 1-877-416-BRRR

🤝Looking to connect with other creatives and professionals in the events and service space—without the pressure of traditional networking? Join us for a relaxed, casual evening at Chatime 🧋 bringing together creative professionals, event vendors, and small business owners in one room. **Date:** Tuesday, May 25, 2026 **Time:** 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM **Venue:** Chatime Liberty Village **You must [buy your ticket here on Eventbrite to secure your spot](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/may-networking-mixer-for-toronto-creatives-event-professionals-tickets-1988533051888?aff=meetup)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/may-networking-mixer-for-toronto-creatives-event-professionals-tickets-1988533051888?aff=meetup)\- an RSVP on Meetup does not count\. ✨ **Come see why [Toronto Event Hub](https://torontoeventhub.com/) networking events are rated one of the best in Toronto!** Celebrate Asian Heritage Month by supporting two local Asian-owned businesses (Chatime & Toronto Event Hub), while meeting like-minded professionals across the GTA. 🤝 Check our events at [Toronto Event Hub](https://www.torontoeventhub.com/).

## *About the Event* ## 🎟️[Secure the tickets here](https://www.womeninleadership.ca/events-1/women-in-leadership-wil-day-event-2026). **Event Overview** The Women in Leadership (WIL) Toronto Chapter is proud to host a special event in celebration of WIL Day 2026. This gathering will bring together professionals for an inspiring evening centered on leadership, wellbeing, and meaningful connection. The program will feature an engaging workshop, a dynamic panel discussion, and curated networking opportunities - each designed to empower leaders to explore how wellbeing can be harnessed as a strategic advantage to drive both personal effectiveness and organizational success. **Workshop overview:** **Unlocking the Power of the Female Nervous System: Lead with Clarity & Presence** Most corporate environments were not designed with women’s biology in mind. The result? High-performing women are 1.5x more likely than men to experience burnout. This experiential workshop offers a different path. You’ll learn how your nervous system shapes your leadership, decision-making, and resilience - and how to work with it, not against it. Through practical tools and guided practices, you’ll build the capacity to regulate in real time, access grounded presence, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and influence. **Panel abstract:** **Sustainable Leadership: Wellness as a Strategic Advantage** Wellness is no longer a personal luxury - it is a leadership imperative. The Women in Leadership Foundation and CIBC invites you to an insightful panel discussion exploring how wellness directly influences decision-making, team performance, innovation, and long-term career growth. Featuring three distinguished female leaders from diverse industries, this moderated session will explore: * Wellness as a competitive leadership advantage * Designing work rhythms that protect energy and performance * Modeling healthy leadership for teams and organizations * Integrating personal values into professional success Participants will gain practical tools and frameworks they can immediately apply to elevate both their well-being, leadership effectiveness and visibility. **Speakers:** **Panelists:** Natasha Bruyea, Vice President, Organization Design & Effectiveness, HR, CIBC , CIBC Rachel Barbaro, ICF-Certified Executive Leadership Coach, Organizational Consultant Darcy MacNeil, Senior Director, Social, Loblaw Agency **Moderator:** Caroline Galdamez, Events Director, Women in Leadership (WIL) Foundation, Toronto Chapter **Event Agenda** 5:15pm - 5:30PM - Registration 5:30 – 5:35 PM - Welcome & Opening Remarks 5:35 – 6:05 PM - Interactive Workshop (30 mins) Facilitated by Rachel Barbaro 6:05 – 6:20 PM - Break (15 minutes) 6:20 – 7:00 PM - Panel Discussion (40 minutes) 7:00 – 7:15 PM - Audience Q&A 7:15 – 8:00 PM - Networking 🎟️[Spots are limited, secure your tickets here](https://www.womeninleadership.ca/events-1/women-in-leadership-wil-day-event-2026). Everyone is welcome - Leadership is a skill, not a position! Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wiltoronto

Startup networking event in Toronto for founders, builders and investors. Meet the right people, share ideas and turn conversations into real opportunities. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-toronto-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987710363204?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **👥 Who This Event Is For** • Founders building startups or validating ideas • Aspiring founders looking to start or join a startup • Builders, engineers and operators open to collaboration • Investors and angels looking to discover early-stage opportunities • People new to the startup ecosystem and looking to connect **🎯 What You Can Get From This Event** • Meet founders, builders and people actively working on startups • Share your ideas and get direct feedback from the community • Discover collaborators, team members or potential co-founders • Connect with investors and people involved in the startup ecosystem • Access real conversations that can lead to opportunities Ascent Valley is a global startup ecosystem connecting founders, builders and investors through events, community and platform. We focus on building structured environments where people don’t just network, but collaborate, share ideas and create real outcomes. Our approach: **[Idea → Process → Result](https://ascentvalley.com/)**

**Looking for a co-founder or startup collaborators in Toronto?** Join founders, engineers, product builders and entrepreneurs for a curated evening designed to help people connect and build startups together. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-your-co-founder-in-toronto-startup-networking-event-tickets-1988215265380?aff=oddtdtcreator) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **💡 What Makes This Event Different** * Many people have ideas. * But building a startup alone is difficult. * The best startups are built by strong teams. * This event is designed to help ambitious founders, engineers and builders meet potential co-founders and collaboratorsin a structured networking environment. Instead of random conversations, we create opportunities for participants to share ideas, discuss projects and discover people they might build something meaningful with. **🤝 What You’ll Experience** * ***Interactive Co-Founder Networking*** Before the session begins, participants vote on the topic or challenge they want to explore together. The most popular topic becomes the focus of the networking session. Participants are then divided into small groups to work around that shared challenge. This format helps people quickly connect, understand each other’s thinking, and discover potential collaboration opportunities. It’s networking with a purpose — not just introductions. * ***Startup Pitches*** Selected founders present their startups to the audience and investors. Each pitcher shares their idea, product, or progress and receives visibility, feedback, and potential connections with investors and collaborators. This is an opportunity to showcase what you’re building and spark meaningful conversations after the session. * ***Chill Networking*** After the structured part, participants can continue conversations in a relaxed environment. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Entrepreneurs with startup ideas • Engineers and technical builders • Product managers and designers • Growth and marketing specialists • People looking for a co-founder • Early-stage founders building their first startup • Anyone interested in joining a startup team **🌍 About the Community** This event is part of the **Ascent Valley ecosystem** — a global community where founders, builders and investors meet to share ideas, collaborate and build meaningful projects. *Our mission is to create environments where ambitious people connect, collaborate and grow together.*

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Toronto.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-toronto-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987710363204?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. **🤝 What to Expect** * **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. * **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. * **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the Toronto tech ecosystem

What does fundraising look like in 2026? The capital landscape has shifted. The "growth at all costs" era is over, replaced by a focus on sustainable unit economics, AI-driven efficiency, and strategic resilience. Whether you are raising a pre-seed or gearing up for a Series A, the rules of the game have changed. Join Startup Grind Toronto on May 28th at Startuptive for a tactical deep dive into the current state of venture capital. We’ve assembled a powerhouse panel to give you a 360-degree view of the fundraising journey: Swish Goswami (CEO and Founder, Stealth Startup, formerly Head of Growth @ Boardy, CEO of Surf) breaks down how to leverage modern growth tactics and AI to build the traction that investors can't ignore. Kayli Smith (Co-Founder & CEO of Friendlier) shares the raw, "boots-on-the-ground" experience of successfully raising capital and scaling a circular economy startup in today’s evolving economy. Miryam Lazarte (Founder & CEO of Global Startups Accelerator; General Partner, GSA Ventures): Offers a unique dual perspective as both an accelerator leader and a venture capitalist focused on global scale. Wael Jabir (Moderator | Chief of Staff at Hustle Fund): Represents an early-stage venture firm investing in "hilariously early" startups. Wael brings insights from Hustle Fund’s massive 600k+ media ecosystem and their 2,600-member global angel community. This isn't just a panel; it’s a masterclass in modern storytelling and financial strategy. Come for the insights, stay for the high-energy mixer with fellow founders, beer, and pizza. The Agenda: 6:00 PM: Doors Open & Pre-Event Networking 7:00 PM: Fundraising in 2026: Panel Discussion & Q&A 7:45 PM: Founder & Investor Mixer (Pizza & Beer provided) Stop pitching like it's 2021. Come learn how to win in 2026. About Our Venue Partner Startuptive is a collaborative coworking community designed for ambitious founders, remote teams, and independent professionals. We offer flexible workspace options, high-speed internet, curated events, and a supportive environment that helps you focus, connect, and grow your business. Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next big idea, Startuptive is where productivity meets community. Sponsor Highlight Deel is the all-in-one global HR platform helping companies hire, pay, and scale international teams from day one — no local entities required. From onboarding contractors and employees in 150+ countries to running compliant payroll in 100+ currencies, Deel simplifies global hiring, HR, equity, and equipment management through one centralized platform — so founders can focus on building, not paperwork. As part of the Startup Grind community partnership, eligible new clients can access up to $5,000 in Deel credits through Startup Grind Toronto. Learn more: Startup Grind x Deel Credits Agenda --- Hosted By Ankur Sethi, Director Ankur Sethi is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with over 17 years of experience building and scaling consumer businesses across technology, finance, and healthcare. He has led ventures from inception to over $350 million in annual revenue and $2 billion in valuation, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of evolving consumer behavior. Daria Tilikanova, Co-Director Daria Tilikanova is a business and startup coach who helps founders and service-based entrepreneurs build scalable businesses with clear strategy, strong positioning, and predictable revenue systems. Originally from Russia, she founded and sold two education companies before moving to Canada, where she shifted into full-time mentoring for early-stage and growing founders. Daria has worked with 200+ entrepreneurs across tech, education, wellness, and agency-based businesses, guiding them from first clients to stable growth and team building. Alongside her private practice, she is a Venture Fellow at Winner Capital, supporting startup evaluation and founder readiness for investment. Her coaching combines business structure, mindset work, and execution clarity - helping entrepreneurs grow without burnout or chaos. Lydia Emanuel, I run a consultancy that focuses on Talent Strategy and Operations for fast-moving companies. Instead of just hiring people, I build the systems that help businesses scale without the chaos. I also lead Events and Sponsorships for Startup Grind Toronto, connecting the best brands to our local tech community. Diana Subbotkina, I help grow the Toronto startup ecosystem through Startup Grind Toronto, connecting founders, investors, and operators through curated events, partnerships, and community initiatives. My work focuses on bringing the right people into the room and creating opportunities for meaningful connections and growth. Shabs Badsha, Sukanta Goswami, Inquisitive entrepreneur connecting and collaborating with earlystage ventures by investing time and energy in bringing new ideas and concepts to the market. --- Global Partner Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind) Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com. Partners Startuptive (https://startuptive.com/) Startuptive is a collaborative coworking community designed for ambitious founders, remote teams, and independent professionals. We offer flexible workspace options, high-speed internet, curated events, and a supportive environment that helps you focus, connect, and grow your business. Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next big idea, Startuptive is where productivity meets community. Winner Capital (https://winner.capital) Winner Capital is an early stage to growth stage syndicate fund investing across North America --- Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-toronto-presents-fundraising-in-2026-panel-amp-mixer/.

Hear from Kathleen Chan (Founder and CEO at Calico), Jonah Midanik (Managing Partner at Forum Ventures) and Goodmans Partner, Danielle Levesque, as they share their experience of venture financing as a founder, investor, and lawyer to growing technology companies. This session is curated specifically for Seed+ founders and active venture investors looking to navigate their next funding round. The Agenda: 8:30 AM: Arrival & Networking 9:00 AM: Keynote Masterclass 10:00 AM: Refreshments & Networking The Perks Spend the morning with a founder, investor and lawyer who have extensive experience with venture financing. Network with a select group of growth-stage peers and institutional investors - high-level conversation without the noise is guaranteed! Enjoy refreshments provided by our hosts at Goodmans. Secure your seat to master your venture capital strategy. Agenda --- Hosted By Ankur Sethi, Director Ankur Sethi is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with over 17 years of experience building and scaling consumer businesses across technology, finance, and healthcare. He has led ventures from inception to over $350 million in annual revenue and $2 billion in valuation, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of evolving consumer behavior. Daria Tilikanova, Co-Director Daria Tilikanova is a business and startup coach who helps founders and service-based entrepreneurs build scalable businesses with clear strategy, strong positioning, and predictable revenue systems. Originally from Russia, she founded and sold two education companies before moving to Canada, where she shifted into full-time mentoring for early-stage and growing founders. Daria has worked with 200+ entrepreneurs across tech, education, wellness, and agency-based businesses, guiding them from first clients to stable growth and team building. Alongside her private practice, she is a Venture Fellow at Winner Capital, supporting startup evaluation and founder readiness for investment. Her coaching combines business structure, mindset work, and execution clarity - helping entrepreneurs grow without burnout or chaos. Lydia Emanuel, I run a consultancy that focuses on Talent Strategy and Operations for fast-moving companies. Instead of just hiring people, I build the systems that help businesses scale without the chaos. I also lead Events and Sponsorships for Startup Grind Toronto, connecting the best brands to our local tech community. Diana Subbotkina, I help grow the Toronto startup ecosystem through Startup Grind Toronto, connecting founders, investors, and operators through curated events, partnerships, and community initiatives. My work focuses on bringing the right people into the room and creating opportunities for meaningful connections and growth. Shabs Badsha, Sukanta Goswami, Inquisitive entrepreneur connecting and collaborating with earlystage ventures by investing time and energy in bringing new ideas and concepts to the market. --- Global Partner Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind) Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com. Strategic Goodmans LLP (https://Www.goodmans.cq) Canadian Corporate Law Firm Partner Winner Capital (https://winner.capital) Winner Capital is an early stage to growth stage syndicate fund investing across North America --- Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-toronto-presents-breakfast-masterclass-goodmans-llp-venture-financing-and-term-sheets/.

Tired of being the one in the hot seat? We’re flipping the script. On May 26th, Startup Grind Toronto is heading to the Smart & Biggar offices for a Reverse Pitch Night. We’ve invited a panel of active investors to step up to the mic and pitch you. Who should be in the room? Venture-scale Founders: Especially those in the "build and scale" phase looking for the right capital partners. Founders Navigating a Raise: If you’re preparing a term sheet or refining your pitch, come see how the other side thinks. Deep Tech & Product Innovators: Founders building IP-heavy products who need to bridge the gap between innovation and legal defensibility. The Tech Ecosystem: Investors and builders looking to connect during the height of Toronto Tech Week. What you’ll take away: Watch top-tier VCs reveal their 2026 thesis—what industries and stages they are actually betting on right now. Gain insights into the legal foundations of a successful scale-up, from corporate structure to navigating venture deals. Learn how to treat your intellectual property as a strategic asset that drives your valuation. Direct access to the partners at LaBarge Weinstein and Smart & Biggar alongside Toronto’s leading founders and investors. Agenda 5:00 PM: Drinks, Pizza & Networking 5:45 PM: Reverse Pitches & Q&A 6:30 PM: More Networking About Our Partners Smart & Biggar: Canada’s leading intellectual property firm, dedicated to helping innovative companies protect and maximize the value of their IP assets on a global scale. LaBarge Weinstein: A premier boutique law firm specializing in the startup lifecycle, from venture capital financing to high-profile M&A and IPOs. Stop guessing what investors want. Come hear them pitch it to you. Agenda --- Hosted By Ankur Sethi, Director Ankur Sethi is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with over 17 years of experience building and scaling consumer businesses across technology, finance, and healthcare. He has led ventures from inception to over $350 million in annual revenue and $2 billion in valuation, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of evolving consumer behavior. Daria Tilikanova, Co-Director Daria Tilikanova is a business and startup coach who helps founders and service-based entrepreneurs build scalable businesses with clear strategy, strong positioning, and predictable revenue systems. Originally from Russia, she founded and sold two education companies before moving to Canada, where she shifted into full-time mentoring for early-stage and growing founders. Daria has worked with 200+ entrepreneurs across tech, education, wellness, and agency-based businesses, guiding them from first clients to stable growth and team building. Alongside her private practice, she is a Venture Fellow at Winner Capital, supporting startup evaluation and founder readiness for investment. Her coaching combines business structure, mindset work, and execution clarity - helping entrepreneurs grow without burnout or chaos. Lydia Emanuel, I run a consultancy that focuses on Talent Strategy and Operations for fast-moving companies. Instead of just hiring people, I build the systems that help businesses scale without the chaos. I also lead Events and Sponsorships for Startup Grind Toronto, connecting the best brands to our local tech community. Diana Subbotkina, I help grow the Toronto startup ecosystem through Startup Grind Toronto, connecting founders, investors, and operators through curated events, partnerships, and community initiatives. My work focuses on bringing the right people into the room and creating opportunities for meaningful connections and growth. Shabs Badsha, Sukanta Goswami, Inquisitive entrepreneur connecting and collaborating with earlystage ventures by investing time and energy in bringing new ideas and concepts to the market. --- Global Partner Carta (http://www.carta.com/launch?utm_campaign=20240423-nam-general-smb-startup_grind_partnership&utm_medium=social&utm_source=startup_grind) Carta helps people manage equity, build businesses, and invest in the companies of tomorrow. Carta Launch is the only free cap table product, helping new founders get started. The company is trusted by more than 40,000 companies, over 7,000 funds and SPVs, and over two million equity holders to manage cap tables, compensation, valuations, liquidity, and more. For more information, visit carta.com. Partners Smart and Biggar (https://www.smartbiggar.ca/) Winner Capital (https://winner.capital) Winner Capital is an early stage to growth stage syndicate fund investing across North America LaBerge Weinstein (https://www.lwlaw.com/) --- Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-toronto-presents-reverse-pitch-night-smart-amp-biggar/.

(Note: RSVPing here on meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To do that, you’ll need to register at our website, **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)**.) Tuesday, June 2nd, 5:00–8:30 PM Eastern Central Ohio Chapter Meeting IN PERSON IN COLUMBUS How I Get Private Lenders and Partners to Fund My Deals If you can’t fund it, you don’t have a deal. And right now, funding is where more investors are getting stuck. Private lenders are more cautious. Partners are asking better questions. And deals that look good on paper still fall apart when the money doesn’t show up. That’s why we’re bringing in a panel of investors who are actually getting their deals funded right now. You’ll hear how they’re finding money, structuring deals, and building relationships that lead to repeat funding. Here’s what you’ll learn: * Where they’re finding private lenders today * How they start conversations that lead to funding * What makes lenders and partners say YES * How they structure deals to be fundable * The biggest mistakes investors make when raising money * How to build repeat funding relationships **Early Session (6:00–7:00 PM Eastern):** **Having Trouble Finding Tenants? How Community Shelter Board Can Help** Nicholas Brenner will walk you through programs designed to help rapidly rehouse tenants, including financial support that can stabilize your rentals. **The Deal Room (7:00–7:30 PM Eastern)** Bring deals, funding needs, buyers, and problems. This is where connections turn into action. This meeting is for serious real estate investors nationwide, and we’re known for our high-content, real-life education and our nationwide community of dealmakers. Members and non-members at all levels are welcome. Register below to reserve your seat. Remember, to actually reserve your seat, you have to go **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)** and register on our website!

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

**Let’s kick off our very first CBUS Maker Meetup!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Karl Road Branch** in **Meeting Room 1**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** Space for this first meetup is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. We ask that you try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

[ECDI Pop-Up Market Official Registration Site --> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecdi-pop-up-market-tickets-1986071755083) Celebrate Small Business Month by shopping local for food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts! Join us for the ECDI Pop‑Up Market, a celebration of local entrepreneurs during Small Business Month. Explore delicious food and drinks, discover handcrafted goods, and shop unique items from small businesses in your community. Whether you’re looking to support local makers, discover new favorites, or pick up a thoughtful gift, this market has something for everyone. **What you’ll find at the market:** * Local food and beverage vendors * Handcrafted goods and unique gifts * A chance to meet and support small business owners in your community * An easy, fun way to discover new local favorites [SCORE Central Ohio](https://www.score.org/ "https://www.score.org/") will also be on site to talk about their small business mentorship program. **Market Vendors:** Baked Goods * Shante Makes Body Care * [Bellas Natural Beauty Products](https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/ "https://www.facebook.com/Bellasnaturalbeautyprod/") Clothing & Accessories * [The Krafted Kollection](https://www.thekraftedkollection.com/ "https://www.thekraftedkollection.com") * [Loayza Elegant Jewelry](https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/ "https://www.loayzaelegantjewelry.com/") * [Swahili House 254](https://www.swahilihouse254.com/ "https://www.swahilihouse254.com") Food/Beverage * [Aqua Pure Central Ohio](https://aquapurecentralohio.com/ "https://aquapurecentralohio.com") * [Better Beverage](https://betterbevshop.com/ "https://betterbevshop.com") * [Cherays Banana Pudding](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952 "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567527322952") * [Dr. May's Thai Kitchen](https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu "https://www.drmaysthaikitchen.com/menu") * [Kronchy LLC](https://www.kronchys.com/ "https://www.kronchys.com") * [Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill](https://terra%20mezcal%20mexican%20grill/ "https://Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill") Packaged Food * [Grow to Eat, Eat to Live](https://growtoeattolive.com/ "https://growtoeattolive.com/") * [Underworld Feast](https://underworldfeast.com/ "https://underworldfeast.com/")  Since 2004, ECDI has assisted Ohio’s entrepreneurs through their one-stop-shop business services model, suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, regardless of what business stage they’re in. From providing capital to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, to providing focused, business-specific educational opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial skill sets, ECDI works with their clients to meet their specific needs. Whether you merely have a business idea or are opening up your fifth location, we have helped more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to take advantage of the services we provide.