Technology Startups

VRTO returns to the heart of Toronto this summer, with amazing events including Video Games Month, FIFA, and many other incredible opportunities to meet folks and level up. What VRTO does best is bring you face-to-face with the doers, designers, makers, outside-the-box thinkers, and opportunities. With a third day added to the 2026 schedule, you can pick up a full conference pass or a 1-day pass for any of the three days. Or if you are more interested in the exhibits, a casual roam, and socializing, consider the economical wristband pass, which also gives you access to the second stage, where you will find interesting and actionable presentations on a variety of topics. Whatever the case may be, we love to see the whole community come together from near and far to exchange the latest on all things related to the new spatial media. This includes virtual production, avatars and virtual embodiment, generative AI and pair programming discussions from all sides, pedagogy and enterprise training, game and experience development, virtual and augmented reality, volumetric capture, and much more. There are few shows as dedicated to these specialized disciplines as VRTO, and you can enjoy it at an easy-to-reach central location. This event is presented here for community interest and meetup purposes. A ticket to the event must be purchased to gain [admission at Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vrto-2026-spatial-media-world-conference-expo-tickets-1981067584474?aff=ebdsoporgprofile) All the info you need will be posted at https://conference.virtualreality.to, and we can't wait to see you at this very special event.

✈️ **Build a Location-Free Income – Remote Ready Bootcamp** Land remote income streams that work from any city, timezone, or country. ⚠️ Complete registration to hold your spot — RSVP alone won't save it. ### [🔗 GET STARTED](https://aiventurelab.org/product/RemoteReadyBootcamp?city=Toronto&groupurlname=the-bookish-social-club-for-readers&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-24T22:00:00Z) --- What's included: - A global community of location-independent professionals - Proven remote work frameworks used by digital nomads worldwide - Step-by-step systems to replace your office income remotely *Work from anywhere. Earn from everywhere.* 🌍

RSVP on https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/google-cloud-labs-ai-toolkit-toronto . Join Google Cloud Labs for an immersive, hands-on workshop designed to provide you with the practical skills and architectural patterns needed to deploy secure and scalable AI on GKE  and integrate applied AI solutions across Google’s Data Cloud. Please fill out the registration form on Google's event page to express interest in joining the event! Capacity is limited and registration is required.  Welcome to The Cloud Engineer's AI Toolkit workshop!  This hands-on workshop will provide you with the practical skills and architectural patterns needed to deploy secure and scalable AI on GKE  and integrate applied AI solutions across Google’s Data Cloud. This is an interactive session, not a lecture. Get ready for a series of live labs where you will use GKE OneMCP and the Gemini CLI to accelerate operations, and implement the GKE Agent Sandbox for secure code execution. In our data lab, we’ll guide you through building multimodal pipelines to power BigQuery Graph analytics and agentic workflows in ADK. You will leave with the practical expertise to deploy, secure, and scale production-grade AI workloads. Note: To participate, you must bring your own laptop and power cable. The activities require a laptop and cannot be completed on a tablet or phone.    Who Should Attend? This program is designed for Platform and Security Engineers, as well as Data Practitioners.  Whether your focus is implementing defense-in-depth strategies, such as securing inference endpoints and enforcing security policies via Workload Identity and Policy Controller, or building multimodal data platforms that power agentic workflows, this session is for you. To get the most out of the labs, you should have foundational knowledge of GKE, and containerization, and basic SQL, alongside a commitment to maintaining auditable, scalable security for AI workloads. What You Will Learn: Master AI-Augmented Operations: Dive into the next generation of infrastructure management by utilizing the GKE MCP server, Gemini CLI, and kubectl-ai to replace manual slogging with seamless, natural-language-driven cluster operations. Architect Secure Agentic Ecosystems: Build and deploy AI agents using the GKE Agent Sandbox, implementing hardware-isolated environments that safely execute untrusted, AI-generated code without compromising your cluster's security posture. Engineer Autonomous Remediation: Transition from reactive troubleshooting to proactive platform skills, creating custom AI agents that autonomously detect, diagnose, and resolve complex configuration drifts and cascading failures in real-time. Unify & Govern AI Data Pipelines: Learn to establish governed pathways for ingesting, cleaning, and managing multi-format data across structured and unstructured sources, ensuring your AI is always grounded in accurate, secure information. Unlock Multimodal Insights: Discover how to leverage built-in AI across your data ecosystem to analyze complex datasets, compare vector embeddings, and integrate your agents with data  to uncover patterns that human eyes might miss. Agenda --- Hosted By Solomon Hsu, GDG Organizer I believe in one mandate in the digital space: Crafting Authentic Digital Experiences for All People. With that vision, I value digital accessibility and user centric design as the core foundation for all my projects. It is within the users' insights and needs that allow us to build great apps. Hiral Thaker, Co-organizer Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-toronto-presents-google-cloud-labs-ai-toolkit/.

✍️ **Launch Your AI Ebook Business – Workshop** Use AI to write and publish ebooks that sell while you sleep. ⚠️ Complete registration to claim your place. RSVP is not enough. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR PLACE](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEbookBusiness?city=Toronto&groupurlname=the-bookish-social-club-for-readers&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-24T22:00:00Z) --- What's covered: - Scale to multiple titles without burning out - Build a publishing pipeline that runs on autopilot - Format and list ebooks so they actually sell *Write once. Earn forever.* 📚

💰 **Build a Self-Running Store with AI – eCommerce Blueprint** Discover how to launch and automate an e-commerce store with AI tools. ⚠️ Register below to secure your place — RSVP alone is not enough. ### [🔗 REGISTER NOW](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEcommerce?city=Toronto&groupurlname=the-bookish-social-club-for-readers&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-24T22:00:00Z) --- What you'll build: - AI-powered product research and ad creation workflows - An automated AI-driven store system - A marketing funnel that runs on autopilot *Build it once. Scale it forever.* 🚀

## **Import & Export — Learn the Model, Remove the Risk, Build the Business** **Casual Learning & Support Session \| LeaderSHIFT Community** There is growing interest in import/export as a business — but most people get stuck on the same questions: * Where do I start? * How do I avoid getting burned? * How do I finance deals safely? * How do I find real clients (not tire-kickers)? This session is designed to answer those questions clearly and practically. ### **📌 Format (Two-Part Session)** **First Hour – Foundations (Beginner Friendly)** This is a structured walkthrough for anyone who wants to understand the business from the ground up. We will cover: * How the import/export business actually works * How to structure deals using government programs and banks to reduce or eliminate risk * How financing can be used properly (without putting yourself in danger) * How to find clients and generate deal flow * Common mistakes and traps to avoid All attendees will receive a **free booklet and resource package** with the information needed to begin setting up their own import/export business. **Second Hour – Open Support & Deal Discussion (Optional)** This portion is for: * People already working on deals * Those who understand the model and want deeper discussion * Anyone seeking feedback on a specific roadblock * Individuals who want to offer insight, support, or collaboration It becomes a collaborative, peer-supported environment rather than a formal presentation. ### **☕ Setting** This is a **casual, low-pressure meetup** held at Second Cup (Sheppard Centre, Yonge & Sheppard). Grab a coffee, bring your questions, and engage at your own pace. No pitches. No hype. Just real knowledge, real structure, and real conversation. **This event is free to attend, but your RSVP is a commitment. To keep things fair for everyone, repeated no-shows may lose priority for future events.**

Solo parents unite! Time for a coffee break for the solo/divorced/other parents. Come swap stories, chit chat, make friends, meet new people. Free event.

Whether you're a seasoned tech veteran or just starting out, let's create the ideal afterwork place to meet and chill with other workers in tech - find that new job, expand your network, share ideas, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. Let's inspire, innovate, and shape the future of technology in Toronto! Tech, AI, Data, IT, and more \~ ​ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Event Details 💰 Cost: $5 (Online only, no tickets at door) 🍺🥃 Afterwork drinks and social 📍 Madison Avenue Pub (Inside, or ask for Tech Social) - 14 Madison Ave 🕕 6:00pm onwards every Friday ​ **Or RSVP on the website for our Discord / WhatsApp communities, and to see who else is going and what their backgrounds/seniority/interests are:** 🔗 [Link to Website](https://techsocialtoronto.com/event/meetup) ​ If you cannot find us, ask staff about Social Meetup, or find a table, snap a photo and ask in the WhatsApp community above. ​ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Who Should Attend? Perfect for **Toronto tech professionals** including: * **Software Developers & Engineers** (Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, React, Node.js) * **Data Scientists & Analysts** (Machine Learning, AI, Data Visualization, SQL) * **Cybersecurity Professionals** (InfoSec, Ethical Hacking, Cloud Security) * **Product Managers & Tech Entrepreneurs** * **Students & Tech Graduates** looking to break into tech * **Career Changers** entering tech industry * **Remote Workers & Digital Nomads** in Toronto * **Startup Employees & Entrepreneurs** * **Digital Marketing & Product Professionals** * **Senior Engineers** looking to mentor and network \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### What You'll Experience * 🤝 **Network with Toronto tech community** * 💼 **Job opportunities** and referrals from peers * 🚀 **Career acceleration** through peer networking * 🎯 **Skill sharing** and tech discussions * 🧠 **Knowledge sharing** on latest tech trends * 🎉 **Social activities** and games * 🧠 **Learn from peers** about real-world challenges * 🚀 **Collaborate** on projects and ideas * 🎯 **Mentorship connections** (both ways!) * 🍻 **Fun, casual atmosphere** \- no matter your seniority level \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Event Guidelines * Support the venue by purchasing drinks/food (no outside items allowed) * Maintain appropriate behavior and respect for all attendees * Bring physical ID if required by venue (call ahead to confirm) * Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with the venue, we just use the space. So don't call the venue asking about our events. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ​ ​ *Toronto Canada tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup software development machine learning python javascript professional networking career development it professionals developers mentorship ai sql analytics data engineering business intelligence deep learning tensorflow pytorch data visualization data analysts ml engineers Toronto Canada tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup software development machine learning python javascript professional networking career development it professionals developers mentorship ai sql analytics data engineering business intelligence deep learning tensorflow pytorch data visualization data analysts ml engineers* **📱 Follow us:**[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tech.social.event) \| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tech.social.event/) \| [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-social-event)

Most of us are already using agentic coding in some form: Claude, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, or whatever new thing shipped this week. This talk is about the next layer: where the industry is heading as agents take on larger chunks of software work, and what Java developers need to learn to stay ahead. We’ll focus on context management, token strategy, orchestration, Codex-style workflows, cost optimization, and the practical judgment required to use these systems without losing the plot. The goal is to move beyond intro demos and into the real skill stack: knowing what to delegate, how to frame goals, how to keep agents grounded in larger codebases, how to get more value from fewer tokens, how to catch drift before it becomes damage, and how to verify output in a way that actually protects quality. This is also a career talk, because the tools are improving too quickly for casual awareness to be enough. The developers who stay valuable will not just be the ones who “use AI”; they’ll be the ones who can direct, constrain, evaluate, and compound with agentic systems. P.S. Due to popular demand, the slick Keynote animations are coming back. **About the venue** Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk. **Speaker Bio** Victor Szoltysek is a seasoned consultant and technologist, currently at RAVL, where he helps clients eliminate the inefficiencies of undifferentiated heavy lifting and focus on building solutions that drive real business value for their customers. With a career spanning notable organizations like Accenture, Pivotal, and ThoughtWorks, as well as numerous startups, Victor brings a wealth of experience in cloud transformations, DevOps enablement, and Agile software development. A dedicated Java enthusiast with a sharp eye for cutting-edge technologies, Victor’s work frequently intersects with AWS, where he strives to streamline workflows and help teams leverage the cloud without unnecessary complexity. Recently, he’s also ventured into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, exploring ways to make programming more engaging, efficient, and rewarding. Victor is known for his humorous and sometimes controversial presentation style, ensuring lively discussions and thought-provoking takeaways. His disdain for overly complex tech solutions drives his mission to simplify the way we build and deploy software. Whether he’s sharing insights about Java, AWS, or AI, Victor’s talks are as energizing and satisfying as your favorite cup of coffee. Don’t miss his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and deep technical expertise at our meetup!

***Tickets must be purchased in advance - 1 drink included:*** https://luma.com/ecomTO2606?utm_source=meetup ***(limited early bird & discounted tickets available)*** \-\-\- ​Surround yourself with top ecommerce founders and operators at one of the city’s trendiest venues. 🚀 Hosted by the Ecom Network, this high-energy night brings together people actively building and scaling real businesses. ​Enjoy meaningful conversations on growth strategies and AI-powered workflows, alongside great drinks 🍸, curated music 🎶, and a room full of ambitious people looking to grow faster and smarter. 💡🤝 ​ [Follow us on Instagram @Ecomnetworking](https://instagram.com/ecomnetworking) \-\-\- 🍹 **Enjoy a Complimentary Highball Cocktail or Beer**, courtesy of our sponsor MADHUB**🔥**Grab a drink, meet new people, and enjoy a great night of networking! 🚀 About MADHUB We encourage crazy. MADHUB is a full-stack creative performance agency that turns e-commerce and DTC brands into creative-led growth machines. As a Shopify and Klaviyo partner, our paid media, creative, and retention engineered systems compound, not just spend. 9x+ ROAS. Millions in revenue. Zero boring ads. Catch us at the event or at [madhub.com](https://madhub.com/?utm_source=luma). Ask us how we drove $1M in revenue within 36hrs. \-\-\- **​​Who is this event for?** This event is suitable for all online sellers - whether you run a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand on Shopify, sell on Amazon (FBA), Etsy, eBay, Walmart, or manage a store on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.​ — **Event Highlights** **✨ Network in a Vibrant Setting** We’ve secured a dedicated section at at the venue just for our group. Enjoy meaningful conversations and great vibes while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. We kindly ask that you support the venue by purchasing at least one drink or food item. **Share Your Story** Building a brand, product, or project? Looking for partners, feedback, or fresh ideas? This is your chance to introduce yourself and spark valuable connections in the ecommerce community. **Learn and Grow** Exchange insights on scaling, marketing, operations, and sales with fellow ecommerce founders. Many past attendees have walked away with partnerships, new clients, and fresh ideas - one conversation could be the start of something big. — **Dress code: Smart/Business casual** — Have questions or suggestions? ​Feel free to reach out to the organizers! ​We can’t wait to see you (again)! — *Notice of Photography* *​During the event, photos and videos may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed. If you prefer not to appear in any media, please let one of the event organizers know.*

Join us for a relaxed and creative watercolour meetup at a local café. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced painter, all skill levels are welcome. Each session will begin with brief introductions, followed by a short overview of watercolour techniques and optional theme ideas to spark inspiration. From there, you’re free to settle in and paint—either alongside the group or in your own corner of the café, depending on seating. We’ll wrap up the meetup by coming back together for a casual show-and-tell, where anyone who’d like can share their work. The meetup is free if you bring your own supplies. If you need materials, a $5 fee will cover basic watercolour supplies. Come unwind, experiment, and connect with others through art.

A meetup for talking about the frontier of ai, or just vibe coding if you’re into that. Also industry gossip, hiring trends, effective altruism + predictions for the future

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** https://bit.ly/frc-toronto-chat **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

🤖 **Create a Working AI Agent – OpenClaw Workshop** Create a working AI agent from your browser in one session. No prior coding needed. ⚠️ Register via the link below to secure your place — RSVP won't do it. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR PLACE](https://aiventurelab.org/product/OpenClawMasterclass?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What you get: - A real, working AI agent by the end of the session - A browser-based setup you can use immediately - Hands-on experience building AI workflows from scratch *Don't just use AI. Build it.* 🤖

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

* Who Can Attend \* The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meetings are free and open to the public! All developers; professional, student, and hobbyist are welcome and encouraged to attend. * When we meet \* The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meets on the 4th Thursday of every month. * Where we meet \* Please check our Meetup group link below for the latest location details! * Join our Meetup Group \* https://www.meetup.com/Central-Ohio-NET-Developers-Group-CONDG/

📊 **Profit from Predictions – Polymarket Strategy** Stop guessing on Polymarket. Learn the analytical system that generates real profit. ⚠️ Complete registration below — RSVP alone doesn't reserve your spot. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR SPOT](https://aiventurelab.org/product/Polymarket?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What you'll learn: - A systematic approach to forecasting outcomes - How to identify high-value markets before the crowd - Polymarket strategies that generate consistent daily profit *The forecasters who win have a system. Get yours.* 🎯

💰 **Build Passive Income with AI Ebooks – Masterclass** Build a passive publishing business with AI — from idea to income. ⚠️ Your spot is only held once you complete registration below. ### [🔗 SAVE YOUR SEAT](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEbookBusiness?city=Columbus&groupurlname=network-of-book-lovers-and-discussion-meetups&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-30T22:00:00Z) --- What's covered: - Publish across platforms for passive income - Format and list ebooks so they actually sell - Find profitable niches using AI research tools *One system. Recurring income.* ✍️

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our 2nd Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 2nd event at this location so bare with us as we grow into this space. There's paid street parking on Saturdays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)