Burlington’s innovation hub marks a milestone moment, bringing founders, partners, and community together to celebrate growth, collaboration, and the next chapter of local innovation

Burlington, ON — February 3, 2026 — TechPlace officially marked its next chapter with a Ribbon Cutting and Innovation Showcase, celebrating its new home at the Robert Bateman Community Centre and reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of Burlington’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Although TechPlace began operating from the Robert Bateman Community Centre in November 2025, the event served as the formal celebration—bringing together civic leaders, ecosystem partners, entrepreneurs, and community members to recognize the significance of the move and the momentum ahead.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and members of Council joined the TechPlace team, Burlington Economic Development and Tourism board members, and partners to officially cut the ribbon, marking the moment with a meaningful nod to the past. The ribbon used was the same ribbon from TechPlace’s original ribbon cutting in 2017, symbolizing continuity, growth, and the evolution of Burlington’s innovation community.

“This moment reflects how far TechPlace has come and where we’re headed,” said Izabela Goclik, Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TechPlace. “Our new location at Bateman allows us to be more connected, more accessible, and more deeply embedded in the community, while continuing to support founders at every stage of their journey.”

The event also highlighted the strength of TechPlace’s collaborative ecosystem. Co-location partners Innovation Factory and Angel One Investor Network joined the celebration, underscoring a shared commitment to mentorship, investment readiness, and helping high-potential companies grow and scale.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests explored the Innovation Showcase, where TechPlace member companies shared short pitches and connected with attendees. The showcase offered a snapshot of the diverse ideas, technologies, and talent being nurtured within the TechPlace community.

Since its launch in 2017, TechPlace has supported more than 600 businesses, helped generate over $48 million in revenue, and enabled founders to bring more than 130 new products and services to market. The new space at the Robert Bateman Community Centre positions TechPlace within a vibrant, multi-use campus alongside Brock University and the Burlington Public Library, opening the door to deeper partnerships and expanded community engagement.

TechPlace is fully operational and ready to continue supporting entrepreneurs as they start, grow, and scale their businesses at 5151 New Street in Burlington.

Izabela Goclik
Manager, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
TechPlace
izabela@techplace.ca

Led by Burlington Economic Development and Tourism, TechPlace exists to help technology, talent and ideation come together under one roof. But it does more than provide a base camp for tech companies to get work done. Anchored by its two co-location partners, Innovation Factory and Angel One Investor Network, TechPlace provides tech companies (both new and growing) with access to space, resources, programming and mentorship through a growing partnership network and by creating an environment that’s focused on generating opportunities for networking and growth.

About Burlington Economic Development and Tourism

Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is the official economic development and destination management organization for Burlington, Ontario. We drive Burlington’s economic prosperity by attracting new investments, supporting the growth of local businesses, and promoting the city as a vibrant destination for visitors. Through collaboration with businesses, tourism operators, and partners across sectors, we enhance Burlington’s profile as a thriving business hub and welcoming destination. Our efforts focus on fostering sustainable growth, delivering exceptional customer experience, and contributing to the city's long-term economic vitality.

TechPlace Celebrates Official Ribbon Cutting and Innovation Showcase at Robert Bateman Community Centre

What happens when the right startup connects with the right ecosystem at the right time?

For iMatr Canada Inc., the result has been a journey defined by rapid growth, cross-sector collaboration, and civic innovation—powered by the community and connections at TechPlace.

iMatr is a civic tech company dedicated to reshaping how citizens engage with democracy. When the startup joined TechPlace as a member in April 2024 and entered the LaunchPad program that July, the decision was about more than workspace. It was about joining a collaborative ecosystem intentionally designed to connect entrepreneurs with the people, programs, and partnerships that move ideas forward.

Located in the heart of Burlington’s innovation corridor, TechPlace provided iMatr with access to funders, government leaders, research institutions, and fellow founders. One of its earliest breakthroughs came through Innovation Factory, one of TechPlace’s co-location and ecosystem partners. Through this connection, iMatr discovered and successfully applied to the EnvisAGE AgeTech research funding program.

The funding from EnvisAGE helped the SAGE Program (Seniors’ Awareness and Global Events), an initiative aimed at empowering older adults to engage more deeply in civic life. It also helped iMatr build new academic partnerships. Through connections facilitated by TechPlace and Innovation Factory, iMatr collaborated with several McMaster University research hubs, including the Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA), the Digital Society Lab, and CIVDEM@Mac. These collaborations continue to shape SAGE’s development and impact.

On the community side, iMatr brought SAGE to life in partnership with Sunrise Senior Living. During TechPlace’s 2024 Open House, the iMatr team connected with two City of Burlington Councillors, one of whom, drawing from experience in senior care, became a key advisor and supporter of the program’s rollout. It’s these kinds of authentic, values-driven connections that make TechPlace more than a business hub.

By early 2025, iMatr’s growing momentum earned them the Award for Excellence in Innovation and Technology from Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. That recognition led to increased exposure, including a visit from MPP Natalie Pierre, who toured TechPlace to see a demo of iMatr’s DemTech platform, a tool built to amplify citizen voices in policymaking.

Later that year, iMatr was featured at the Mayor’s 2025 State of the City Address, recognized as one of Burlington’s top emerging tech companies. With more than 800 community and industry leaders in attendance, the event elevated iMatr’s profile locally and beyond.

The momentum didn’t stop there. iMatr continued to strengthen its presence in the region by taking part in events like The Big DiF, joining the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, and participating in international delegation visits. The team also hosted the launch announcement of their innovative DemTech platform at TechPlace, which led to opportunities for multilingual demos, pilot projects, and EU-based collaboration. They further deepened their local roots by hiring a TechPlace member full-time to support their growing initiatives.

Thanks to TechPlace’s 2025 Open House, iMatr also formed a new connection with Erin Andrews from Impact Zero, leading to a pilot that’s opening an entirely new growth avenue. This collaboration marks the expansion of iMatr’s platform into a third major vertical, member-based ecosystems, alongside its existing work with Chambers of Commerce and Engineering Firms. Each represents a distinct use case, yet all share one thing in common: they rely on iMatr’s platform to build stronger connections between organizations and the communities they serve.

At every stage, TechPlace has served not only as a workspace but as a true connector and catalyst. iMatr’s success is a testament to what can happen when innovation meets community.

👉 Learn more about how TechPlace can help power your connections.

The Power of Connections: How This TechPlace Startup is Turning Collaboration into Growth

Inclusive employment is evolving, and leaders like Elizabeth Plouffe and her team at Spero Careers Canada are helping drive that progress. With support from the collaborative environment at TechPlace, Spero is breaking barriers for neurodivergent individuals across industries through coaching programs and technology. By co-designing solutions grounded in real-world experience and data, Spero is reshaping the future of work to create opportunities where inclusion drives success for individuals, parents, service providers and employers. 

NANAWorks: A Platform Designed for Real Impact 

TechPlace’s Role in Supporting Growth 

Elizabeth Plouffe’s journey to founding Spero Canada began with a personal mission: to build better employment supports for her son, who is autistic with dyslexia and ADHD. Frustrated by the lack of services that met his needs, she developed solutions to empower service providers, parents, and employers to better support neurodivergent individuals on their employment journey.  

Inspired by her husband’s success in the skilled trades, despite being dyslexic, Elizabeth expanded Spero’s focus to include industries often overlooked in employment inclusion efforts, such as manufacturing and trades. As opportunities in this area grew, she connected with neurodivergent professionals thriving in these fields, and the team expanded alongside them. Today, through their not-for-profit SocialliiASD, Spero works with the government to connect with and educate employers across Canada. 

At Spero, inclusion begins with intentional hiring and collaboration. The team actively recruits from neurodivergent talent pool, ensuring every product, tool, and program is shaped by the people it’s meant to serve. 

What sets Spero apart is its co-design approach. Solutions aren’t built in isolation; they’re created with those who use them. This results in practical, effective tools for service providers navigating outdated systems, parents assisting adult children with executive function challenges, individuals navigating job searching, and employers building more inclusive workplaces.  

Recognizing that traditional employment supports often fail to meet neurodivergent needs, Spero developed NANAWorks, a platform that began as a way for job seekers to connect with employment services and has since grown into a powerful communication hub. By reducing paperwork and improving coordination between service providers and participants, it streamlines processes and strengthens employment outcomes. 

Created in close collaboration with neurodivergent individuals, service providers, and parents, the co-design process uncovered what worked, what didn’t, and how to address real-world barriers with tailored technology. The result is a data-informed, user-driven platform that enhances employment programs, empowers independence, and is now evolving to help parents support their neurodivergent kids in developing executive function skills. 

Since launching NANAWorks, Spero has rapidly expanded its reach and established itself as a national leader in neurodivergent-focused employment support. A key milestone has been integrating the platform with the EmploymentWorks program, enabling seamless connections between job seekers and employment specialists nationwide.  

The company has also hosted multiple EmploymentWorks cohorts at TechPlace, piloting a hybrid model that blends in-person and online coaching to deliver measurable outcomes for long-term employment. 

“Joining the TechPlace LaunchPad program has been instrumental in Spero’s growth” says Elizabeth Plouffe. “Just having our office door open was extremely valuable on many occasions. For somebody who is community minded, belonging to TechPlace has been great for support, inspiration and building a strong network.”  

Having previously worked with HalTech (now Innovation Factory), both as an employee and client, Elizabeth knew where to turn for support when launching Spero. TechPlace’s welcoming environment offers not just resources, but opportunities for collaboration, helping the company build momentum while staying rooted in its community-driven mission. 

For Spero Canada, success goes beyond business growth. It is about building a collaborative, value-driven company with inclusive solutions that help people thrive. The company rejects the notion that inclusion is about charity, instead emphasizing that neurodivergent individuals are skilled, capable employees who bring meaningful value to the workplace. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to building strong, high-performing teams, and inclusive workplaces benefit everyone by elevating performance, creativity, and resilience across entire organizations. 

Looking ahead, Spero Canada is focused on scaling NANAWorks, refining their technology, protecting the platform’s unique intellectual property, and creating a dedicated neurodivergent coaching team to ensure support is delivered by those who understand diverse ways of thinking, communicating, and learning. 

As the conversations around inclusive employment gain momentum, Spero is committed to helping employers move beyond performative policies toward meaningful, sustained action. With continued support from TechPlace and the broader innovation ecosystem, Spero is positioned to expand its impact across Canada and beyond.  

The future of work demands solutions that are inclusive by design. Spero’s community-driven approach shows how technology, lived experience, and collaboration can create a more equitable future for all. 
 

How Spero Careers Canada is Redefining Inclusive Employment

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WomenUp™: LinkedIn Authority in the AI Era

Are you interested in meeting with a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law from BLAZE IP? Gain valuable insights and advice on various aspects of intellectual property law, which is crucial for protecting and maximizing the value of your innovations.

BLAZE IP will be providing free consultations in 30-minute slots. These sessions are designed to help you navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property law, ensuring that your business is well-equipped to protect its intellectual assets. Whether you are just starting out or looking to enhance your existing IP strategy, these consultations can provide you with the knowledge and guidance you need.

Trademarking Mentorship – Office Hours with BLAZE IP

TechPlace members are invited to book a free 1:1 consultation with the intellectual property experts at Marks & Clerk. In these 30-minute sessions, founders can get tailored guidance on protecting their ideas, from patents and trademarks to trade secrets and IP strategy.

Whether you’re just getting started or refining your approach, this is a valuable opportunity to better understand how to safeguard your innovation and support future growth.

Spots are limited and available by appointment only. Contact us to register.

Intellectual Property & Legal Mentorship – Office Hours with Marks & Clerk

Welcome to TechPlace, Burlington’s innovation hub for new and emerging tech companies and startup growth. 

TechPlace is a vibrant and collaborative innovation hub in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. We are a community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and program partners who share a common goal: drive innovation and grow successful companies.   

An initiative of Burlington Economic Development and Tourism, TechPlace provides everything start-ups need to grow in one place. Anchored by Innovation Factory and Angel One Investor Network, TechPlace is an important part of the Southern Ontario innovation ecosystem.

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TechPlace is home to the only soft landing program in the region that offers international companies physical space and wrap around services to support expansion or relocation in Southern Ontario.

Our LaunchPad program supports local and international startups that are getting ready to scale. Our LaunchPad application committee meets quarterly to review new applications from eligible start-ups. 

Let's find out if TechPlace is right for you.

As angel group that is looking to engage with start-ups, why not have your office in the middle of the building surrounded by start-ups. Between the companies that are resident at TechPlace, and companies that come in because of the events you host, it’s the ideal place to be for us.

“TechPlace will allow us to fulfill our goal of co-designing the NANAWorks platform with the autism community ensuring that we’re creating an autism “approved” platform.  TechPlace will make it easier for us to tap into vital resources, such as Haltech and Angel One, while also providing us space to validate our training programs and tools through hosting workshops and beta-testing events.” 

“Feedback Solutions has a growing number of customers in the GTA and has the opportunity to expand into the US and Europe. We really needed a collaboration space to keep organized and respond to the demands of customers and potential investors – the facility is perfect for us and the team at TechPlace are incredibly supportive.” 

Definitely a sense of community, the close-knit community. For me personally, when I joined TechPlace first, I had just moved to the region. It was a great connection with entrepreneurs and leaders and mentors within the business community.  It’s great to be able to have a place where I can make those connections.

An amazing place for people to meet and get started on their journey to build a business. It was super beneficial for us. We came here as one person, now we have 13 people in Canada. It’s a flexible, great meeting space. Really useful.

“Techplace has provided our team with access to space, resources, programming, and mentorship that have been vital to our growth. Through the dynamic and supportive community at TechPlace we have grown our team and revenue.”

“We have been a fully virtual team until now so having a LaunchPad office at TechPlace will give our development team a space to collaborate face-to-face and accelerate our efforts for launching MMS” 

“Our team has really benefitted from the resources TechPlace offers and the connections it has been able to establish over the past year. Securing a spot in the LaunchPad Program has enabled us to further grow and develop our business through a deeper connection to the community, access to angel investments and the resources that are available here.” 

“The LaunchPad program will allow our team unfiltered access to vital resources necessary to the success of our introductory product, Delver.” 

“We knew right away that TechPlace was the right choice for us because it is ideally situated within a technology corridor, close to Toronto, and also close to the largest concentration of egg farms in Ontario.” 

“Laura (McLaughlin, Co-Founder and COO) and I are so happy to be a part of the TechPlace LaunchPad program. we have used the TechPlace facilities as an Endorsed User since we joined in 2018. Having a private office and deeper-rooted access to the space will launch our company to its next stage of growth.” 

“Applied Recognition is experiencing incredible growth and the TechPlace LaunchPad program will give us the space we need to thrive through access to accelerated marketing and sales channels.” 

“Burlington has always been home for me and I am excited to open Able-One Systems’ first Corporate Innovation Office at TechPlace. The energy and resources available at TechPlace will encourage dynamic collaboration and ideas for exponential growth in a convenient location along the QEW corridor.”

“TechPlace opens up a world of connections and opportunities for us, the space provides excellent energy and resources to fuel our growth.”

“After spending over a year at IBM Innovations space; through the early stages of the R&D process, we are excited about officially kicking off our go-to-market now at TechPlace and benefiting of the support services available for MyAbilities.”

“RIC Centre has given us the roots to grow and we look forward to accelerating 3terra in TechPlace. TechPlace offers 3terra the space and resources we need in order to continue on the path of rapid growth.”

“We are really excited about the opportunity a TechPlace LaunchPad offers. Being located amongst entrepreneurial organizations like Haltech and Angel One give Kinjunxion tremendous opportunities to fulfill our objectives through leveraging their mentors, programming, and organic collaboration.”

“Unifai Solutions is thrilled to be accepted as the newest resident in the LaunchPad program at TechPlace. We will benefit greatly from the environment established by other LaunchPad companies and start-up resources.”

"TechPlace helps us to keep the focus on what we do best. It is the best place to work on operations, create new opportunities and connect with other startups and Advisors."

"TechPlace seems to be a good space for smaller companies to grow and develop. And my office can accommodate few more people,  and I am looking forward to that."

“After visiting Burlington and getting a tour of TechPlace, we knew right away that we wanted our Canadian office to be located here. Having an office space at TechPlace will not only allow us to have easy access to the North American market but will also provide access to mentorship and resources that will make our expansion easier and assist us in hiring the right talent.”

TechPlace has moved to 5151 New St.

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TechPlace Celebrates Official Ribbon Cutting and Innovation Showcase at Robert Bateman Community Centre

February 4, 2026

The Power of Connections: How This TechPlace Startup is Turning Collaboration into Growth

October 30, 2025

How Spero Careers Canada is Redefining Inclusive Employment

August 21, 2025

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