BHive tech start-ups bringing hundreds of jobs to Brampton

Nearly 60 tech and innovation companies are ready to call Brampton home, bringing more jobs and opportunities to the City’s new tech start-up hub.

Brampton’s BHive start-up incubator got started last year, offering international start-ups and entrepreneurs the tools and resources to establish businesses in Brampton through the Canadian government’s Start-Up Visa Program.

There are already 58 approved BHive start-ups from countries like Vietnam, Nigeria, India and Iran, representing some $42 million in revenue and hundreds of local jobs for Bramptonians.

City Council heard an update on the BHive program on Wednesday (Dec. 14), and staff said each start-up will bring up to five jobs for Brampton residents.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced BHive to pivot to a virtual-focused strategy, but with restrictions lifted, staff expect the first in-person start-up to open its doors in Brampton’s Innovation District in January.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he wants to see Brampton’s downtown “buzzing” with tech start-ups and would like to see at least 100 BHive companies in Brampton.

There are already nine approved and landed BHive companies, another three approved and set to land, and more than 30 other businesses under processing.

BHive said programming and cost recovery has been delayed due to immigration backlogs, flight restrictions, border closures, and pandemic-related factors. Council approved a $500,000 grant to BHive on Wednesday to help recoup pandemic-related losses.

The City engaged with Toronto Business Development Centre to build and operate BHive. For more information visit www.TheBHive.ca.