An Innovation Hub by the BEA
Building inclusive entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in Toronto’s northwest corner.
With the support of key partners, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) conducted a 2023 study to look at the gaps of innovation infrastructure in Jane-Finch/Northwest Toronto, and determine the feasibility of a new, state-of-the-art, mixed-use innovation hub to support the development and growth of underrepresented founders and professionals.
The BEA was first launched as a collaboration between the Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) and York University. Together, we’re backed by over 30 years of community-building experience, with more than 70 partners across community, academia, and research.
Through the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), we’ve received $2.99 million dollars in investments to support Black-led businesses and to make innovation accessible to all.
There’s an uneven geography of innovation in Toronto.
Despite the wealth of talent and potential in the city’s northwest corner, the majority of innovation infrastructure is still only available in the downtown core. Marginalized communities across northwest Toronto are underserved, preventing the inclusive growth of Toronto’s innovation ecosystem. The Element Centre is changing that.
Located at the heart of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor, the Element Centre will close the gap between local economies and the broader innovation ecosystem.
The BEA is gathering feedback about the programming and development of the Element Centre. We invite members of the northwestern Toronto community to share their thoughts via this anonymous survey.
The BEA was first launched as a collaboration between the Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) and York University. Together, we’re backed by over 30 years of community-building experience, with more than 70 partners across community, academia, and research.
Through the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), we’ve received $2.99 million dollars in investments to support Black-led businesses and to make innovation accessible to all.
Built with insights from emerging professionals and founders, stakeholders, and the Jane Finch Initiative, the Element Centre is a space dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and professionals in northwest Toronto.
Inner suburb communities in Toronto are excluded from the innovation economy, especially in the northwestern corner—one of the city’s most economically depressed and demographically diverse areas. An Innovation Hub in Jane and Finch will give local entrepreneurs direct access to the tools and resources that, until now, were only available to those in the downtown core.
Industries that commonly employed Jane and Finch/Northwest Toronto residents were hit the hardest with job loss. The BEA Innovation Hub will give local entrepreneurs & startups the network, education, and resources needed to contribute to Toronto’s innovation sector.
Coinciding with the city’s Jane Finch Initiative, the Innovation Hub will help export local innovation by being a connector between the local community, academia, and the broader innovation network. It’ll also provide an early entry point to innovation for youth, women, and racialized groups located in the inner suburban community of northwest Toronto.
With all-angle objectives, the Element Centre is dedicated to making lasting change for diverse entrepreneurs and professionals in northwest Toronto.
Beyond just entrepreneurship, our inclusive programming and partnerships are designed to drive further social cohesion, meaningful education, and lasting workforce development. With holistic growth at the heart of our mission, the Element Centre aims to be a hub where individuals of all backgrounds can live, work, play, and thrive as part of a new entrepreneurial community.
Aligning with the goals of the BEA, the Element Centre is dedicated to economically empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the workforce and entrepreneurial endeavours.
The hub will act as an early entry point to innovation for youth, women, and racialized groups, breaking down barriers to entry.
We see the Element Centre as an anchor institution for local economic development that also formalizes and supports structured pathways for both workforce development and entrepreneurial endeavours, thereby fostering an inclusive innovation ecosystem.
The Element Centre will be a key access point for underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and BIPOC individuals, ensuring their active participation in entrepreneurship, innovation, and talent development.
By directly connecting the local community with academia and the broader innovation network, the hub will facilitate the export of local innovation (i.e. goods, services, and/or talent), amplifying its impact and providing high-calibre talent to fill workforce needs, and incubating new businesses to fill gaps in quality employment opportunities.
The BEA Innovation Hub is supported by our longtime community and education partners throughout the GTA.
Support the Innovation Hub
as a Partner:
The BEA and our key partners are currently conducting a feasibility study on the potential of establishing the Element Centre at the northwestern corner of Toronto.
The BEA and our key partners are currently conducting a feasibility study on the potential of establishing the Element Centre at the northwestern corner of Toronto.
A symposium hosted by the BEA to share findings from the study with communities and stakeholders.
Entrepreneurs from marginalized backgrounds are held back by the state of affordable housing. Our research compiles the experiences of affected individuals and what is needed to attract the diversity in talent needed for a future-proof innovation ecosystem.
Start work on developing a business plan, including infrastructure, programming, and recommendations of study.
“I believe this will provide access to underserved communities to be able to break the gap that exists for marginalized folks and also tap into the wealth of resources and knowledge that is available in these communities.”
– ANONYMOUS Survey Respondent
Read the findings of our 2023 Feasibility Study on the Element Centre.
See the architectural and design concepts behind BEA’s innovation hub.
Led by award-winning architecture firm AKAFLDWRK, the Element Centre will be a centre of local innovation and entrepreneurship, with purpose-built spaces designed for every stage of the journey.
Interested in becoming a donor, partner, sponsor, or funder of the Element Centre? We’d love to hear from you.
Innovation Hub Feasibility Study
Make Innovation Accessible for All. Fill out the survey to provide your insights, perspectives, and recommendations to inform a proposed Innovation Hub that will support underrepresented entrepreneurs and professionals.
The survey closes on August 18, 2023.
