Invest in Hamilton

Small businesses are the driving force behind Hamilton’s economic momentum, fuelling local innovation, creating jobs, and building vibrant neighbourhoods across every corner of our city.

From October 19–23, 2026, Hamilton Small Business Week returns with a dynamic lineup of events focused on helping small business leaders grow, connect, and succeed. Presented in collaboration by Invest in Hamilton, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University, the Mohawk College Centre for Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Factory, along with key ecosystem partners McMaster Innovation Park and the Hamilton Business Centre, this year’s programming offers something for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

Whether you are looking to expand your professional network, explore international markets, harness artificial intelligence for sales, or learn from industry and government leaders, use this guide to plan your week and secure your spot.

Monday, October 19

International Entrepreneur Meetup: Global Startup Exchange

Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Innovation Factory
Presented by: Invest in Hamilton & Innovation Factory
Register: luma.com/v8uzm2k5

Connect with international entrepreneurs and local founders building and scaling successful businesses in Ontario. Discover firsthand insights, resources, and opportunities to support business growth in Canada, while building meaningful connections through founder showcases and facilitated networking. Explore potential partnerships, cross-border collaboration, and new opportunities to expand your business.

Tuesday, October 20

Small Business Marketplace

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Mohawk College – Fennell Campus, C Wing
Presented by: Mohawk College Centre for Entrepreneurship
Register (Free Admission): bit.ly/4A55bUv

Shop small and support local entrepreneurs at the Mohawk College Small Business Marketplace during Small Business Week. Discover products, services, and creations from student entrepreneurs, alumni, and community businesses. Browse, connect, and get inspired by the talent in our entrepreneurial community, while exploring opportunities and supports available through the Centre for Entrepreneurship. Admission is free!

Build a Simple Onboarding Journey for New Hires

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual Event
Presented by: Dr. Claire Odogbo, Founder & CEO of Learnophia
Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/build-a-simple-onboarding-journey-for-new-hires-tickets-2002227383001

If your new hires are still figuring things out past week one, it’s costing your team valuable ramp-up time. Join this free live session to learn how to build a simple, structured onboarding journey your new hires can follow from day one. You will learn why most onboarding falls apart in the first two weeks, how to structure a course-based path step by step, and see a live walkthrough of building one from scratch. Perfect for HR professionals, talent acquisition teams, and people managers.

The Power Within: Unlocking Your Entrepreneurial Potential (Networking Event)

Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Powerhouse – Stoney Creek (21 Jones Street)
Presented by: Invest in Hamilton & Hamilton Business Centre
Register: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hamiltonbusinesscentre/2445420

Get inspired by Kaime Sherman, Founder and Artistic Director of the Academy of Imagination & Dramatic Arts (AiDa), at an evening of entrepreneurship and connection. Hear practical insights on building a business, navigating challenges, staying motivated, and turning ambition into progress. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and discover opportunities to grow and make an impact in your community.

Wednesday, October 21

Rise & Defy: The Magic of Building an Email List & Community

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Location: Virtual Event
Presented by: Mohawk College Centre for Entrepreneurship
Register: bit.ly/4cCQn5A

Your audience is more than your social media following—it’s a community you can build, nurture, and grow. Join us virtually for The Magic of Building an Email List & Community, featuring Bianca DiPietro, an expert in community building and email marketing. Learn practical strategies to grow an engaged email list, strengthen your community, and create meaningful connections with your audience.

AI for Sales: Build, Automate, Convert (Lunch & Learn)

Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (Lunch will be served)
Location: McMaster Innovation Park
Presented by: Innovation Factory & McMaster Innovation Park
Register: luma.com/innova-pc8b

Most business owners have tried ChatGPT, but there’s a difference between using AI as a tool and having it do the work for you. Christian Betancourt, founder of The Agentic Powerhouse, will live-build two AI agents that handle lead follow-up, appointment booking, research, marketing, and admin. Discover how to put AI to work in your business.

Thursday, October 22

Young Leaders Forum

Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery
Presented by: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University & Invest in Hamilton
Register: hamiltonchamber.ca/events

Join 200 emerging leaders and entrepreneurs under 40 at the Young Leaders Forum for a morning of connection and meaningful conversations. Featuring keynote speaker Eric Spearin (owner of the Hamilton Cardinals), an engaging panel discussion, and opportunities to connect with peers and community leaders, the Forum explores how young leaders can build strong businesses by investing in their communities and creating meaningful connections.

Protect Your Business Before There’s a Problem: The Compliance Essentials

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual Event
Presented by: Dr. Claire Odogbo, Founder & CEO of Riskophia
Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/protect-your-business-before-theres-a-problem-the-compliance-essentials-tickets-2002644052270

Most small businesses in regulated industries don’t find out they’re missing a compliance requirement until it’s already a costly problem—like a client audit or a missed policy. Join this free live session to discover the compliance gaps that catch small businesses off guard most often. You’ll learn what “audit-ready” actually looks like in practice and get a simple framework for building your policies, training, and evidence trail without hiring a full compliance team.

Small Business Summit

Time: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery
Presented by: Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University & Invest in Hamilton
Register: hamiltonchamber.ca/events

Join more than 200 entrepreneurs and small business leaders at the Hamilton Small Business Summit for a day of practical learning, valuable connections, and fresh ideas. Featuring keynote speaker The Honourable Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, the Summit offers hands-on workshops, expert insights, and networking opportunities designed to help businesses grow, adapt, and thrive in an evolving economy.

Service Canada au service des entrepreneur.es francophones (Session 1)

Heure: 15 h à 16 h
Lieu: Événement virtuel (Zoom)
Présenté par: Service Canada, RIF Centre-Sud-Ouest Ontario & Communauté francophone accueillante de Hamilton
Inscription: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=JhYLdEBw2kuBYmvx6AByh3he_9jlREFMveE9xnMzaIpUNFFZQjVaNTc5TjlYNlBLQ01JOTdZMjk2OC4u&route=shorturl

Appel à tous les entrepreneurs et employeurs francophones ! Découvrez les services et programmes fédéraux spécialement conçus pour soutenir votre entreprise lors de cette session d’information en français. Les sujets abordés incluent le numéro d’assurance sociale (NAS) et les responsabilités des employeurs, les prestations et le soutien du revenu, le programme de travail partagé, le recrutement et le maintien en emploi, ainsi qu’un aperçu des outils et services en ligne de Service Canada.

Supporting Hamilton’s entrepreneurs doesn’t stop after Small Business Week. Whether you are registering your first business, looking for site selection assistance, or scaling into new markets, Invest in Hamilton and the Hamilton Business Centre are here to help you navigate every step of your growth.