By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
This fall, Burlington’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship is turning a new page. TechPlace, a resource centre dedicated to supporting startups and scaling companies, will relocate to the Robert Bateman Community Centre at 5151 New Street. The move represents more than a change of address; it marks a significant step in embedding innovation within the heart of the community.
Claire Green, Director of Destination Development and Marketing at Burlington Economic Development and Tourism, described the transition as an opportunity to strengthen connections across the city. “Our move to Bateman will make TechPlace more accessible and visible to the broader community. Community members will be able to walk in to attend workshops, students from Brock or HDSB [Halton District School Board] can gain exposure to entrepreneurship more easily, and community groups can explore ways to collaborate,” she said.
The relocation will also bring TechPlace closer to key partners, including Brock University, the Halton District School Board, and the Burlington Public Library. This co-location opens up pipelines to student talent, research expertise, and community-facing programming that weren’t as accessible before. Innovation Factory and Angel One Investor Network, long-standing anchors of TechPlace’s programming, will continue to play an integral role at the new location.
For Burlington, the shift aligns with the city’s Vision 2040 Strategic Plan and innovation strategy, emphasizing inclusive economic growth and smart city development. By placing TechPlace inside a community hub, the city hopes to highlight its commitment to building innovative infrastructure and attracting entrepreneurs who are deciding where to launch or scale their companies.
Inclusivity remains an ongoing mission for TechPlace. The organization has already partnered with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce to ensure founders from underrepresented groups have equal access to resources. Programs like the Soft Landing initiative, which has supported more than 50 international tech companies in entering the Canadian market, reflect TechPlace’s focus on creating opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs.
As TechPlace prepares to close the doors on its current North Service Road location on November 14 and reopen at Bateman on November 24, Green says success in the first year will be defined by integration and impact. “We look forward to becoming settled into our new home, becoming more integrated, and helping the community become more familiar with what we do. We hope to see TechPlace firmly established as both a community hub for entrepreneurs and a driver of Burlington’s innovation economy.”
With the move to the Robert Bateman Community Centre, Burlington is making it clear: innovation doesn’t just belong in office parks or behind closed doors — it belongs at the centre of the community, growing with it every step of the way.
