It began quietly in 2023 with a simple idea that carried enormous weight.
Bring together Black organizations working across the entrepreneurial ecosystem and show what was possible when their voices were aligned. The early gatherings were intentional and community-driven, but everything changed for the 2nd year at Collision in 2024. At one of the largest tech events in the country, the absence of Black representation was impossible to ignore. Instead of accepting it, the organizations came together to change it with curated programming. What happened next sparked the beginning of a national footprint. It marked the moment when the Black Innovation Zone, known today as BIZ, stepped forward as a movement reshaping what innovation in Canada can and should look like.
A Movement Taking Shape Across Canada
From that turning point, BIZ expanded its presence across Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. The mission was clear. Black founders deserved visible, credible, and well resourced platforms inside the very spaces that had overlooked them for years. As the movement grew, BIZ amplified the work of Black led startups, supported founders at every stage, and cultivated partnerships with institutions that understood the need for systemic change.
The scale of what happened in 2025 reflected this momentum. BIZ engaged more than 18,000 attendees, highlighted over 160 Black led startups, and activated more than 40 partners who recognized the importance of equitable innovation. These numbers tell a story of growth, but the people behind them tell the story of transformation.
A National Pulse
In Vancouver, founders met industry leaders who were ready to listen and learn. In Montreal, the Startupfest space became an entry point for audiences eager to engage with Black innovators. In Toronto, open mic storytelling allowed founders to speak openly about their business ventures. Black innovation is here, and it is shaping the future of Canadian tech.
These gatherings were not about proving talent. They were about creating visibility and expanding opportunity. Whether someone was pitching for the first time or connecting with potential partners, the spaces that BIZ shaped became places where Black entrepreneurs could see themselves as part of Canada’s innovation story.
A Shift in the National Narrative
Canada’s innovation economy is evolving, and the future depends on inclusion that is intentional. The Black Innovation Zone is showing what it looks like when Black founders have access to networks, partners, and community support that reflect their needs and ambitions. The work is not additive. It is foundational. Black innovation is not on the margins. It is central to the vision of a competitive, forward thinking Canada.
The Call Forward
The story of BIZ is still being written. There is room for more people and more institutions to play a part in what comes next. Support the founders. Partner with the ecosystem. Amplify the work. Follow the movement as it continues to grow.
Black entrepreneurs deserve to be seen, supported, and valued. The Black Innovation Zone is creating the space where that becomes possible, and the momentum is only getting stronger.
Join us at www.blackinnovationzone.ca to stay connected with the movement, learn about upcoming opportunities, and be part of shaping the future of Black innovation in Canada.
