York Link | York Region EcDev

On May 11, 2026, our team visited Megalab Group Inc., a partner of the York Region Regional Technology Development Site. Based in Aurora, Megalab delivers independent testing services for the automotive, military, aerospace, medical and industrial and consumer electronics industries, meeting the IEC, NEMA, ASTM and MIL standards. Their work enables innovation across Ontario and Canada by providing the guidance, data, and testing companies need to navigate complex global regulations and launch successful products.  As part of the RTDS, Megalab supports businesses through @yspaceyu SmartTO and @venturelabca , helping founders validate and test their mobility solutions. Interested in learning more about the York Region RTDS? Visit yorklink.ca/RTDS #YRtech #YRmanufacturing

CONNECTING YORK REGION TO ONTARIO'S DEFENCE INDUSTRY FUTURE On May 7, 2026, York Region’s Senior Business Development Advisors joined industry and association leaders at the Royal Canadian Military Institute for the launch of the Ontario Defence Association led by Chair of the ODA, Ted Kirkpatrick, and Executive Director and co-founder of the ODA, Heather Pilot. The afternoon reinforced the importance of collaboration in delivering Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities. York Region is proud to be home to a growing defence ecosystem spanning advanced manufacturing, aerospace, AI, cybersecurity, and skilled talent. By staying closely connected to key organizations, we’re ensuring our local companies are positioned to support national priorities and seize new opportunities. Looking to scale-in or enter the defence market? Check out the free Canadian Defence Market Entry Roadmap we released last month full of information on key considerations like certifications, market access, and industry organizations like the ODA, here: yorklink.ca/defence. Great seeing so many partners at the event working to ensure we move as one unit, united, to drive Canada forward in defence. #YorkRegion #DefenceSector #EconomicDevelopment #CanadaDefence

Last week, Cohort 1 of the York Region Agri‑Food Program rolled up their sleeves with @syzl.io for in‑kitchen training at the @yorkregionfoodnetwork 🍽️ Chef Maxine Knight guided entrepreneurs through the commercial kitchen, sharing expert insights on equipment use, production efficiency, and best practices for preparing food products at scale. This program empowers equity‑deserving and Indigenous founders with business training, commercial kitchen access and the support needed to grow thriving food‑based ventures. The program has already helped Cohort 1 move their ideas forward, and now we’re excited to open the doors for the next group of entrepreneurs with Cohort 2. Interested in learning more about the program? Tap the link in our bio to sign up for the info session on May 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Applications for Cohort 2 close on May 25 at 5 p.m. Learn more about the program: yorklink.ca/FoodStartup #FoodEntrepreneur #YorkRegion #AgriFoodStartup #IndigenousBusiness #EquityDeserving #FoodInnovation #SmallBusinessSupport #YRfood #SustainableCdnAg

Find current opportunities from employers across the region using our easy‑to‑navigate job board: ✅ Roles across multiple industries 🏢 Opportunities with local companies 📈 New job postings added regularly Start your search now: yorklink.ca/jobs Know someone who’s job searching? Share this with them. The job board is presented in partnership with the @workforceplanningboardyr . #WhosHiring #NowHiring #YorkRegion#JobSearch #Careers

Are you a food entrepreneur from an equity-deserving or Indigenous community and ready to launch or grow your food product business? Cohort 2 of the York Region Agri‑Food Start‑Up Program is now accepting applications!  This free program provides entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, access to commercial kitchens and support. Want to learn more about the program? Join our virtual info session. 📅 Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 📍 Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m. We’ll walk through the program overview, eligibility, key benefits, and what makes a strong application.  🔗 Tap the link in the bio to register now. This project is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. #FoodEntrepreneur #YorkRegion #AgriFoodStartup #IndigenousBusiness #EquityDeserving #FoodInnovation #SmallBusinessSupport #YRfood #SustainableCdnAg

Small business owners — want a clear picture of who your customers truly are? The York Small Business Enterprise Centre gives York Region entrepreneurs free access to ENVISION, a powerful market research platform that reveals demographics, spending habits, lifestyle segments, neighborhood profiles, and more. If you want to understand your customers, target more effectively, and grow with confidence, this is the tool you should be using. Book your free market research consultation today: yorklink.ca/marketresearch #smallbusiness #YorkRegion #YSBEC

Looking to take your food and beverage business into new global markets? @yorklinkca and @exportdevcanada (EDC) are bringing together industry leaders for an in‑person Food and Beverage Roundtable focused on market diversification and access to financing. This session is built for agri‑food companies ready to scale beyond Canada and understand the pathways and funding needed to get there. 📅 June 10 at 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 📍 YSpace Markham, 169 Enterprise Boulevard, Markham The discussion will explore how food and beverage companies can enter global markets, including opportunities in the Indo-Pacific, Mexico and Europe, to unlock new revenue streams and scale with purpose. Participants will also have the chance to showcase their products and receive valuable feedback on entering international markets. Spots are limited. Tap the link in bio to register. #YRfood #YorkRegion

Cohort 2 of the Agri‑Food Start‑Up Program is accepting applications! If you’re an equity‑deserving or Indigenous entrepreneur with a food product idea, this free 26‑week program can help you build or grow your business in 2026. What you’ll get: ✔️ Weekly mentorship & business entrepreneurship training ✔️ $2,000 in commercial kitchen credits with guided in-kitchen sessions Indigenous‑led support and mentorship ✔️ A final showcase to debut your product and network with industry peers If you’re ready to commit 4–8 hours a week and launch within 6 months, we want to hear from you. Apply by 5 p.m. on May 25, 2026. Visit yorklink.ca/FoodStartup to apply. This project is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MOBILITY INNOVATION DOMINATE THE CONVERSATION ON DAY 2 OF #DISCOVERYX! The morning began with remarks from the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, setting the stage for a full day of innovation discussions. Attendees also heard from Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, a global pioneer in artificial intelligence, who delivered a thought‑provoking keynote titled “Are They Like Us and Will They Like Us?” On the show floor, York Region Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) partners SmartTO at YSpace, York University, ventureLAB and Vaughan Economic Development showcased the value and benefits of the York Region RTDS and Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone (DZ) in Vaughan to startups and other conference attendees. The York Region RTDS and OVIN DZ in Vaughan provide practical and hands-on support to companies at every development stage, from early ideation and research to real‑world product testing. RTDS‑supported SMEs with technologies shaping the future of mobility were also at the booth showcasing their tech including: RadioWires • AWOS Technologies • Moon Trades Technologies • SCOOTY • Wireless PNC • GeoMate • Kevares Autonomous Services Learn more about the York Region RTDS’s offerings and how they can support your company: yorklink.ca/rtds #DX2026 #OCI

A LOOK INSIDE CGI'S 5G AND ROBOTICS MARKHAM INNOVATION LAB Thank you CGI and Markham Economic Development for the opportunity to tour CGI's new 5G and Robotics innovation lab in Markham. CGI is a Canadian technology success story with a global footprint including thousands of employees in the Greater Toronto Area alone. Through its innovation centres worldwide, including in the City of Markham, CGI co-creates and integrates solutions with clients, explores future industry trends, and accelerates experimentation in emerging technologies. The Markham innovation centre and lab will focus on 5G, AI, IoT, and robotics, driving innovation across multiple industries. York Region is one of Canada’s largest tech hubs, with Markham at the centre of network technologies, advanced hardware and software development. Alongside our Markham Economic Development colleagues, York Region Economic Development is pleased to support CGI's continued local innovation and business growth in Markham and the wider region. #YRtech #Markham #YorkRegion

It’s the first day of DiscoveryX and we’re on the show floor with @venturelabca , @yspaceyu and @cityofvaughan to showcase how the York Region Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) and Vaughan’s Demonstration Zone help companies from early ideation and research all the way to real‑world product testing. Today, several York Region RTDS‑supported companies are on the floor at booth #833 demonstrating innovative mobility and smart‑city technologies, including: 🔹 RadioWires – creating next generation data network for intelligent machines 🔹 AWOS Technologies – specializing in life-saving vehicle escape systems. They showcased AWOS, their patented, sensor-based solution that detects emergencies such as submersions and car fires 🔹 Moon Trades Technologies – helping mining companies de-risk projects by analyzing geo-spatial data to identify high-probability drilling targets 🔹 SCOOTY – a mobility-as-a-service tech platform working with cities, transit agencies and property developers to deploying e-bikes and e-scooters. There are also demoing their new product Ride Guide, an AI powered transit planning playground 🔹 Wireless PNC – a clean-tech company developing universal wireless charging stations to support the standardization of low-GHG emission EV charging units 🔹 GeoMate – delivering AI-powered 3D mapping solutions by transforming high-resolution geospatial imagery into high-definiton maps and simulation-ready environments 🔹 Kevares – providing inspections, lawn mowing, litter collection, snow removal and other services using autonomous mobile robots The York Region RTDS offers 12 integrated supports, from business advisory and prototyping to testing environments and commercialization pathways, to help companies accelerate development. Stop by booth #833 today and tomorrow to learn how your company can benefit from the York Region RTDS! #DX2026 #OCI

Only 1 day to go until the @ocinnovation 's #DiscoveryX Conference! Visit booth #833 to discover how the York Region RTDS and @cityofvaughan ’s Demonstration Zone support companies at every stage, from early ideation and research to testing viable products in real‑world environments. 🎤 Featured presentations and SME pitches (April 29 and 30): 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. — SmartTO at YSpace, York University 12 – 12:30 p.m. — ventureLAB 12:30 – 1 p.m. — Vaughan Economic Development Demonstration Zone 🚀 Tech demos all day from: RadioWires • AWOS Technologies • Moon Trades Technologies • SCOOTY • Wireless PNC • GeoMate • Kevares Autonomous Services We look forward to connecting with innovators, partners, and industry leaders advancing York Region’s mobility ecosystem. #DX2026 #OCI