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Innisfil, ON – Based on the success of the DMZ Innisfil program, the Town of Innisfil has extended its partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and will be expanding the program to better serve local businesses.
“We’ve seen first-hand how valuable it’s been to host a business incubator program right here in our community,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin. “The program has allowed us to engage with more than 500 start-ups across Ontario, participate in the growth of 29 businesses to-date and, moving forward, will allow us to accelerate the growth of a further 60 Innisfil-based businesses over the next two years.”
The Town of Innisfil and TMU launched their partnership in 2020 by introducing DMZ Innisfil, a startup incubator and physical hub in Stroud that saw 29 start-ups join the program. The partnership allows local tech startups and entrepreneurs to tap into DMZ resources and specialized mentors, helping them understand how to scale their businesses and navigate growth-related challenges and opportunities. Within the first two years the program has facilitated the growth of participating businesses who have collectively secured more than $10 million in growth capital.
The Innisfil Economic Development team recently evaluated program strengths and identified opportunities to support the accelerated growth of local businesses through an expansion of the DMZ Innisfil program.
Through this expansion, DMZ Innisfil will now support businesses through two streams: a start-up stream supporting entrepreneurs who are in the process of establishing a new business, and an accelerator stream supporting the growth of existing local businesses. Additionally, DMZ Innisfil is introducing a DMZ All Access program which includes a calendar of events to engage local businesses in networking, facilitating partnerships, and learning opportunities and will be accessible to all Innisfil business leaders and entrepreneurs.
“The DMZ is thrilled to be extending its partnership with the Town of Innisfil,” says Sherif El Tawil, Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at the DMZ. “We recognize the essential role local businesses play; they are the backbone of any community and drive local economic growth. Through the new accelerator program, Innisfil-based businesses will be equipped with the resources and tools to level up while staying true to their roots.”
In addition to its headquarters in Toronto, the DMZ has local operations in 10 countries including India, Japan, Egypt, Vietnam, Bermuda and the United States, positioning Innisfil on the global stage of innovation.
As the DMZ Innisfil hub expands programming in Stroud, the Town is also excited to announce that Nottawasaga Futures will be joining the space, hosting regular office hours on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Nottawasaga Futures offers a range of programming including business loans, business coaching and consulting, and access to local mentors and resources.
To learn more about the DMZ program, book a consultation, and stay up to date on DMZ All Access events, visit innisfil.ca/dmz.
About the DMZ
The DMZ is a world-leading startup incubator based at Toronto Metropolitan University that equips the next generation of tech entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build, launch, and scale highly impactful startups. By providing connections to customers, coaching, capital, and a community, the DMZs customized approach helps innovators reach the next milestone in their entrepreneurial journey – whatever that might be. Through its award-winning programming, the DMZ has helped more than 750 startups raise $1.95 billion in capital and create 4,850+ jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada with globally-accessible programming, the DMZ has a widely-recognized international presence with offices in Vietnam, India, and the U.S., and partnerships across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
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