Entrepreneurs get big boost with opening of ‘innovation hub’ in Mississauga
Published May 2, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Mississauga entrepreneurs got a big boost today (May 2) with the opening of a “one-stop shop” for all their business and networking needs.
The IDEA Square One Entrepreneur and Innovation Hub, created to attract business and entrepreneurship to Mississauga, in addition to supporting existing businesses, held its official public opening on Tuesday afternoon.
Located beside the Rec Room on the upper level of Square One, the 4,300-sq.-ft. “anchor innovation hub” is a place for entrepreneurs to “connect, learn and scale their businesses,” City of Mississauga officials say.
In short, the office will be used to grow and expand services for entrepreneurs through the City’s Economic Development Office.
IDEA Square One offers the following for members:
- co-working areas
- dedicated offices
- bookable boardrooms
- Access to IDEA events and networking
- business advisory services
- mentorship and training
Under the larger concept of IDEA Mississauga, a new identity for the city’s innovation district unveiled last year, the central location will bring together business experts, City economic development personnel, innovators, start-up companies and aspiring entrepreneurs to share expertise and provide access to resources to help grow and start businesses.
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“It houses a team of business experts who support clients in a bright and creative space, providing the opportunity to connect with IDEA partners and mentors who will guide entrepreneurs through their business growth and success,” the City said in a news release.
Mayor Bonnie Crombie and several City councillors were among those in attendance at the grand opening.
“Today, Mississauga marks an exciting milestone as we celebrate the grand opening of IDEA Square One, our anchor innovation location and one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses looking to grow and scale in Mississauga,” said Crombie in the news release. “Mississauga is the second-largest employment hub in the Greater Toronto Area and the second-largest economy in Ontario. IDEA Square One reinforces our position as a major innovation centre that supports the commercialization of products and technologies across our key sectors including Information Technology, Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing.”
Three monthly membership levels are available for the innovation hub, each providing different services and amenities, officials say. Day passes are also available to give members access to flexible co-working space, free Wi-Fi and common-area amenities.
“We are committed to supporting our entrepreneurs and we’re excited to invite them to come and see what we have to offer,” said Christina Kakaflikas, director of the Economic Development Office. “Our valued partnerships have enabled us to provide enhanced collaborative programming for our entrepreneur community in a bright, connected space. The IDEA Square One Innovation Hub will further strengthen Mississauga’s profile as a robust and competitive centre for business and innovation locally, nationally and globally.”
IDEA Mississauga was introduced in 2022 as City officials said they’re looking to advance Mississauga’s position as “a global leader” in innovation.
“With our diverse and growing economy and our location in the heart of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor, Mississauga has built an incredibly strong innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Crombie last year.
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