Embracing tech startups and small businesses of all stripes will enable the Town to achieve its economic development goals of talent attraction and retention.

Establish “Innovation Collective,” an initiative to support scalable and technology-focused startups.

Actions:

  • Identify and convene an advisory working group to support the exploration of “Innovation Collaborative.”
  • Explore new best practices for cluster-focused startup initiatives across Canada and the U.S.
  • Build relationships with venture capital organizations within the GTA and throughout Ontario and Canada.
  • Support startup/innovation community events such as pitch competitions and networking sessions.
  • Advise Milton’s Town Council on development policies to support economic growth and align with cluster needs.

Develop and execute an innovation district strategy for the Milton Education Village (MEV), positioning it as an entrepreneurial hub.

Actions:

  • Utilize and expand the existing MEV working group to help guide innovation district planning.
  • Catalog innovation district best practices across North America, focusing on programming and placemaking efforts.
  • Explore retaining a firm to develop the MEV district plan.

Collaborate to offer training and capacity-building assistance for Milton’s small businesses.

Actions:

  • Continue to offer small business programming specific to COVID-19 recovery.
  • Support and promote the small business resources and trainings offered by the Halton Region Small Business Centre.
  • Provide ongoing updates regarding provincial and local resources to Milton’s small businesses.
  • Explore the resources needed to create a physical presence of the Halton Region Small Business Centre in Milton.

Partner with Milton’s anchor institutions to develop the Town’s Green Innovation cluster.

Actions:

  • Collaborate anchor partners and federal and provincial government entities to guide Milton’s
  • Green Innovation cluster development.
  • Build a relationship with university commercialization and tech-transfer officials to identify scalable Green Innovation enterprises and connect them with resources.
  • Champion, in concert with business partners, the successes of Green Innovation enterprises in Milton.