An initiative of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury · Office of Economic Development
Your business starts here — and most of the help is free.
The Business Catalyst Centre (BCC) connects entrepreneurs and small businesses in BWG to free workshops, one-on-one coaching, mentorship, funding, and the right people — all in one place.
One front door to the help around you.
The Business Catalyst Centre is the Town's collaborative hub for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses — a single place to connect with the right resources, programming, and people.
We bring together the Town of BWG's Economic Development office and a network of trusted regional partners, so you don't have to navigate the system alone. The Centre is open to founders at every stage, from "I have an idea" to "I'm ready to scale," across BWG and Simcoe County — and most supports are free.
Workshops and programming are currently hosted at 177 Church Street, Bradford, in the BWG Community Hub. This isn't a permanent home yet — the Town is exploring a semi-private coworking space there for local entrepreneurs.
Programming at the Business Catalyst Centre, BWG Community Hub
Wherever you are, there's a next step.
Just have an idea
Free idea consultations and early guidance to test whether your concept has legs.
Starting out
Business plan reviews, registration help, and coaching to get your first months right.
Already running a business
Mentorship, networking, and advice on cash flow, marketing, and hiring.
Ready to grow or scale
Accelerators, funding connections, and structured programming to reach the next level.
The right help, from the right people, fast.
We work with the best entrepreneurship organizations in the region so you get matched to the support that fits your stage — not a generic referral.
BWG Office of Economic Development
Your starting point
The Town's economic development team helps local businesses with guidance, connections to the right partner, site selection, incentives, and the local business directory — and runs the Business Catalyst Centre itself. Not sure where to begin? Start here.
FreeYSpace York-Simcoe
Structured programming, idea to scale
York University's pan-university innovation hub, delivered locally in BWG. You get free one-on-one idea consultations (no cost, no equity, no strings), a 12-week Founder Fundamentals series, Business Plan Bootcamp, Digital Skills for Business, mentorship, and peer networks — plus access to YSpace hubs, more than $100,000 in startup perks (Google Cloud, QuickBooks, Ownr and more), a free certificate of completion, and a content library of over 1,000 hours.
FreeGeorgian College — Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre
Accelerators, mentorship, and maker space
A leading post-secondary entrepreneurship centre that has run in-person workshops in Bradford, including Lift Off and New Roots New Routes. It offers accelerator programs, a roster of expert mentors (one-on-one, MentorMash, and group mentorship), EmpowerHER for women-led businesses, and a MakerSpace and Larche Studio for prototyping, video, audio, and product content.
FreeNottawasaga Futures
Financing and South Simcoe support
A community economic development agency serving South Simcoe, including BWG. It's best known for business loans and financing for new and existing businesses, alongside coaching, women's and youth entrepreneurship programs, film and production support, networking, and the South Simcoe Business Excellence Awards.
Advising free; financing through loansSmall Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia
Free one-on-one coaching for start-ups
Part of Ontario's network of Small Business Enterprise Centres. You get free consultations, business plan reviews, and coaching on everything from cash flow to marketing and hiring, plus workshops and the Starter Company Plus and Summer Company programs for new entrepreneurs and youth.
FreeBradford Board of Trade
Local networking and the voice of business
Bradford's local business membership organization — the voice of business in Bradford. It connects members through networking events, community building, education, advocacy, and promotion to the local market, and it's a great way to plug into the Bradford business community and raise your profile.
Membership-basedFind your match at a glance.
Scan the table to see who's best for your need, then follow the link to connect directly.
| Partner | Best for | Key offerings | Cost | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWG Economic Development | Any BWG business — your first stop | Local guidance, partner referrals, incentives, business directory | Free | gotobwg.ca |
| YSpace York-Simcoe | Idea-stage to scaling founders wanting programming | Free one-on-one consultations, Founder Fundamentals, Bootcamp, digital skills, hub access plus $100,000 in perks | Free | yorku.ca/yspace |
| Georgian College HBEC | Founders wanting accelerators, mentors, and maker or studio space | Accelerators, expert mentors, EmpowerHER, MakerSpace and Larche Studio | Free | georgiancollege.ca |
| Nottawasaga Futures | Businesses needing financing and local support | Business loans and financing, coaching, women's and youth programs | Loans and free advising | nottawasaga.com |
| Small Business Centre (Barrie, Simcoe, Orillia) | Start-ups needing free one-on-one coaching | Free consultations, plan reviews, coaching, Starter Company Plus | Free | investbarrie.ca |
| Bradford Board of Trade | Connecting with the local business community | Networking events, advocacy, community building, member promotion | Membership | bradfordboardoftrade.com |
Partner links open in a new tab.
Real workshops, real connections.
A look at entrepreneurs and partners coming together at the Business Catalyst Centre.
Three steps, no wrong door.
Tell us where you're at
Reach out and let us know your idea, or where your business is today.
We connect you
We point you to the right partner, program, or funding for your stage.
Start building
Get to work with free coaching, workshops, and connections behind you.
Get updates and workshop notices.
Subscribe to the BWG Economic Development newsletter for news and early notice of upcoming workshops and events.
Let's find your next step together.
Reach the Office of Economic Development and we'll point you to the right help.
- ecdev@townofbwg.com
- Phone
- 905-775-5366 ext. 1310
- Where we meet
- BWG Community Hub, 177 Church Street, Bradford, ON
- Online
- gotobwg.ca
The Business Catalyst Centre is supported by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, the County of Simcoe, and the Government of Ontario.