Vaughan Hands Founders a Free Advisory Board — and a Shot at $5,000

Yes — the City of Vaughan runs a free business advisory service, and most founders in the region have no idea it exists. It's called the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), and it gives any entrepreneur or small business owner with 25 or fewer employees unlimited one-on-one consultations with municipal small business advisors. No fee, no equity, no pitch deck required. On top of the advice, VBEC is the local delivery agent for Starter Company Plus, a provincial program that includes training, mentorship, and the chance to apply for a grant of up to $5,000.

I've spent years telling technical founders that the hardest part of building a company isn't the code — it's everything around it. Registration, zoning, licensing, permits, cash flow, finding the first customer. Vaughan quietly staffed a team to handle exactly that, and it costs nothing.

What exactly is the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre?

VBEC is the City of Vaughan's small business support arm, operating out of Vaughan City Hall at 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive West. It is part of the Small Business Centres (SBC) Ontario network — the same provincial framework that funds similar centres across the province.

Think of it less as a government office and more as an advisory board you didn't have to recruit. A real advisory board costs equity or retainers. This one costs a calendar invite.

Who qualifies:

• •Entrepreneurs at the idea stage — you don't need a registered business yet
• •Small business owners with 25 or fewer employees
• •Businesses located in or moving to Vaughan

If you're a medium or large organization, VBEC will route you to the city's Invest, Expand or Relocate program instead.

What do the free consultations actually cover?