Zone Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University

Where NBA power meets EdTech innovation 🏀🚀 Pascal Siakam, PS43 Foundation and DMZ are teaming up to change the game in education technology. The Siakam EdTech Engine is searching for high-impact startups ready to redefine K-12 education. This 12-week accelerator offers: ➡️ Access to Pascal Siakam’s school network for real-world classroom testing ➡️ DMZ’s world-class mentors to help scale impact ➡️ A shot at $50,000 in funding at Demo Day hosted at Google for Startups This isn’t just about tech – it’s about creating meaningful change for students, teachers, and underserved communities. Think you’ve got what it takes? Applications are now open. Apply by March 11: dmz.to/edtechengine

TMU has more than 20 years of experience in delivering education, training and support for anyone wanting to learn how to start, launch and grow their own business or social venture. The Zones at Toronto Metropolitan University have been home to international success stories including Mejuri Jewelry. Founded by business grad Noura Sakkijha in 2015, Mejuri has revolutionized the world of fine jewelry through e-commerce. Another example: Inkbox, a temporary tattoo company founded by TMU graduate Braden Handley and his brother Tyler, was acquired in 2022 by Bic for US $65 million. If you think a Zone is the place for you, connect with a startup advisor for one-on-one guidance to make your idea a reality. We are ready to help. Connect with a startup advisor: https://lnkd.in/gxCWaVNB

BE YOUR OWN BOSS. Have a business idea you’d like to launch? TMU might have the incubation space for you. The public face of the innovation ecosystem at TMU is the Zone Learning system. These are sector-focused launchpads for success where anyone can explore their innovative ideas. There are Zones focusing on clean energy, biomedical, legal innovation, design fabrication, social ventures and more. The Zones have a wealth of resources, and link people with ideas to coaches and advisors, financial resources, training and technical expertise. And perhaps best of all, they provide an environment that brings together the brightest minds in innovation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gM5y2_Fb

💥 I had a great time representing Zone Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University at the Enactus TMU Expo 2025 to engage with students about experiential opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship. Here are a few key takeaways from conversations I had with curious students. 💭 Learning through innovation and entrepreneurship doesn’t mean your outcome must be a successful business. Whether your business succeeds or fails, it is also an avenue to build career skills like problem solving, creative and critical thinking, project management, developing customer-centric solutions, and more. 🏆 Side hustles and small projects are valuable. Just because it did not make a big splash doesn’t mean you did not achieve something. You still added to your professional experiences, built your network, and made an impact. ⭐ There are more opportunities in innovation than being a startup founder. Startups and their founders also need team members to support their growth. It’s another way to explore innovation without needing to be the entrepreneur. Thanks to Enactus TMU for organizing. Thanks to Ashnie Badal and Paul Hacking from the Science Discovery Zone, Sarah Brigel and Jake Hamilton from the Social Ventures Zone, and Jayda Moore . from Zone Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University.

🚀 What a night! The 2025 BVZ Launch Kick-Off was a huge success! 🎉 Last night brought together our newest cohort of women-led health-tech startups, industry leaders, and the BVZ community for a day of networking, inspiration, and collaboration. We gave an exclusive tour of our Zone Learning office, showcasing the space where innovation happens, followed by an amazing night of meaningful conversations and new connections.💡And a very special thank you to Cortex Design for offering their wonderful office space as a venue for our networking session! Thank you to everyone who joined us — this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead! #BramptonInnovation #HealthTech #MedTech #Startups #Entrepreneurship Zone Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University Invest Brampton - Economic Development Office Brampton Entrepreneur Centre Brampton Board of Trade City of Brampton John MacRitchie Fardan Khan Paul Hacking

Toronto Metropolitan University students and grads aren’t just chasing change—they’re creating it through bold innovation. And their secret weapon is the TMU Zone Learning network. Here are success tips for startups from five founders who benefited from TMU’s zone ecosystem, a launchpad for any level of startup in sectors from wearable technology to health care to social ventures. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnE2SNqV

Our work with SFU VentureLabs on Lab2Market goes back to our initial CAIP-funded collaboration (I-INC 2014-19). That experience led to identifying the need for Lab2Market and how we could build a national network to deliver it for Canada.

As President of Enactus TMU, I am beyond grateful for the success of last week's annual Expo event that took place on Wednesday, January 29 at Toronto Metropolitan University. With over 80 attendees coming together to celebrate the innovation and social impact of our start-ups, the event was a night to remember with so many networking opportunities and personal growth. It was fun to help MC alongside my amazing Events Team, Alexander Nicholov, Mustafa Jamaly, Tahreem Patel, and EVP Aleena Azmat. My highlight was meeting so many first and second years coming up to me, eagered to get involved with Enactus TMU, and wanting to learn more as aspiring entrepreneurs. Shoutout to all my Enactus team members in presenting their start-ups, Project BITS, Start Me Up, and Terra-Plast! Thank you also to DMZ, Social Ventures Zone, Innovation Boost Zone, Zone Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University, Science Discovery Zone, Biomedical Zone, and our food sponsor, Salad King!

The Brampton Venture Zone by TMU is hiring for the role of Director. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Brampton, while contributing to TMU's broader mission.

Thank you to our friends at Google for Startups for joining us to host DMZ Masterclass last week. 📚 We learned how to use data to inform strategic decision-making from Google Data and Analytics Lead Jason Yang and crucial fundamentals of Google Ads from International Growth Consultant Sudeep Singh. Join DMZ Masterclass for more expert lectures throughout the winter: dmz.to/masterclass2025