We have been studying the growing Toronto Startup Ecosystem over the last 3 months with statistics from the Meetup website (Meetup.com). The Meetups are initiated and ran by people who are interested in a specific subject and want to bring together people with a similar interest. Meetups are posted on the main website and like-minded people register, join and attend the Meetup. Here are some standouts from Toronto Startup Ecosystem Meetup Groups:
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Hackernest (24 Aug 2015)Hackernest (7,178 Toronto members) is a Meetup that has multiplied globally (including KL) and is designed to create a forum for tech geeks to meet and chat about their day to day issues in the field. You must register to go to the event (which creates the member database), but there is no fee. Free drinks are provided by local companies who are marketing towards the tech geek market. The event is held at various venues, based on who will provide the free meeting space. (1-200 members show up to each monthly event)
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Tech T.O. (24 Aug 2015)Tech Toronto (5,820 members) is a Toronto-based Meetup which charges a $10 per person entrance fee and provides free drinks and pizza, from vendors marketing towards the Startup sector. Each month, five Startup companies present ideas which they feel were the keys to their Startup’s success, helping others understand the Startup culture. The event is held in the headquarters of Telus, which is a national mobile phone company who uses this opportunity to market to Startups. (The monthly event is increasing in size at every Meetup, now totaling about 3-400 members).
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Wearables Toronto (24 Aug 2015)Wearables Toronto (4,431 members) has been a huge hit. The format is to provide 5 presenters who have developed App-based Wearables in various market sectors. We have seen amazing products in the sports, pets, and disability marketplaces. Vendors provide free pizza and drinks. Local government accelerator MaRS provides the meeting facility. (The monthly event is growing at about 600 people).
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