Driving Canada’s Tech Future: BVZ and TMU Renew Partnership with City of Brampton
The renewed five-year commitment strengthens Brampton’s role as a hub for early-stage ventures, healthtech innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Brampton, ON – September 2025 — Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Brampton Venture Zone by TMU (BVZ) are proud to announce the renewal of their five-year partnership with the City of Brampton, strengthening their joint commitment to early-stage startup development, economic growth, and healthtech innovation in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.
From left to right: Fardan Khan, John MacRitchie, Martin Bohl, Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, Paul Aldunate, Provost Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, & Tara Hunter
The announcement was made by Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh of the City of Brampton and Provost & VP, Academic at TMU, Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano at BVX 2025, the largest tech and entrepreneurship event in Brampton, organized annually by BVZ.
Launched in 2020, BVZ was established as a founder-first incubator to address a critical gap in Canada’s innovation ecosystem: the need for place-based support that accelerates ventures while driving local economic development. Over the past five years, BVZ has supported more than 50 startups across health and wellness, mobility, smart cities, and food sustainability — sectors that are defining Brampton’s future.
“Brampton is one of Canada’s most dynamic cities—full of energy and people who will shape the nation’s future,” said John MacRitchie, Assistant Vice President, Zone Learning & Strategic Initiatives, TMU. “When BVZ was launched, we saw an opportunity to build a founder-first ecosystem rooted in Brampton’s strengths. The renewal of this partnership signals confidence in the momentum created over the past five years and the joint commitment to long-term economic development.”
What sets BVZ apart is its deep integration into Brampton’s economic and social fabric. From day one, BVZ was designed through a unique partnership with the City of Brampton to serve local industries and entrepreneurs, while ensuring businesses have access to talent and residents have access to meaningful jobs.
BVZ’s evolution has mirrored Brampton’s own growth, particularly as the city advances its health innovation agenda with the addition of the new TMU School of Medicine. This creates a powerful opportunity for BVZ to connect researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to bring bold healthtech solutions to market.
The renewal underscores BVZ’s role as a trusted partner for Brampton and its commitment to pushing innovation forward. Together, TMU, BVZ, and the City of Brampton are ensuring that the city remains a hub where startups thrive, industries transform, and the future of Canadian healthtech and entrepreneurship is built.
About Brampton Venture Zone by TMU
Brampton Venture Zone by TMU (BVZ) is a non-profit early-stage incubator powered by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Learning and supported by the City of Brampton. BVZ empowers early-stage startups across diverse industries with mentorship, resources, and community connections, with a focus on healthtech, smart cities, mobility, and food innovation.