Featured Stories

Startup University: How local universities are prepping next-gen entrepreneurs

Igor Bonifacic Wednesday, June 19, 2013

In an attempt to meet the needs of 21st century industries, Toronto universities are looking to the startup world for inspiration. They've launched entrepreneurial programs, incubators and accelerators to ensure graduates learn to think creatively.

Digital, Higher Education , Research and Innovation, small businesses

The top female tech leaders in Toronto

Erin Bury Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Twitter launched its Canadian office last week, and former CBC exec Kirstine Stewart is at the helm. With Marisa Mayer and Sheryl Sandberg making headlines for their work at Silicon Valley tech companies, Yonge Street looks at Stewart and two other women who are leading Toronto's tech industry.

Digital, Research and Innovation, small businesses

NXNEi: Rebranding Toronto as "Music City"

Sheena Lyonnais Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A group of music industry veterans and city councillors unveiled their campaign to rebrand Toronto as "Music City" at last week's interactive NXNEi conference. The 4479 Toronto campaign aims to promote Toronto as one of the world's best music destinations all while boosting tourism, funding, and opportunities for musicians.

Arts and Culture, City Building

Business smarts meets big hearts

Paul Gallant Wednesday, June 12, 2013

From beekeeping to mad science, a group of Ryerson students are using their entrepreneurial know-how to improve the lives of people in the GTA and around the world. Now, they've won an opportunity to compete internationally.

Higher Education , Research and Innovation, small businesses

Richmond Hill

First Tool Libraries, now Timebanks: Toronto's Zeitgeist movement is expanding

Tiffy Thompson Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Ryan Dyment, co-founder of the Tool Library and soon-to-be-unveiled Toronto Timebank, opens up about the Zeitgeist movement, leaving the rat race, and his vision for a resource-based economy.

City Building, Research and Innovation, small businesses, Sustainability

Parkdale

Yonge Interviews: Rachel Young, co-founder and owner of Camaraderie Coworking

Carla Maria Lucchetta Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Camaraderie, one of Toronto's first coworking spaces, recently expanded and relocated to the west end. We talked to co-founder and owner Rachel Young about her plans for the new space and her interest in developing a new Dundas St. West BIA.

small businesses

Roncesvalles-High Park

The new downtown economy is pedal powered

Sheena Lyonnais Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The growing cargo bike delivery movement in Toronto has resulted in the emergence of a new economy, one where local businesses support one another with minimal impact on the environment. On a worldwide scale, Toronto falls behind. But a few local cyclists are gearing up to change that.

Transportation

Inclusive mobile technology will increase job opportunities for those with disabilities

Andrew Seale Wednesday, May 15, 2013

At Komodo OpenLab, it's not just the innovations but the innovators that make the company unique. In partnership with Toronto colleges, software developer Eric Wan helped create a revolutionary product that is allowing people with disabilities--including himself--to control mobile devices through wheelchairs.

Healthcare and Wellness, Research and Innovation, small businesses

St. Clair West's greatest success stories come from within the community

Michael O'Shaughnessy Wednesday, May 15, 2013

From old to new, St. Clair West is a neighbourhood in transition. While the right-of-way streetcar plan continues to divide the area, businesses are growing and the streets are becoming more beautiful. The common thread? The community itself.

City Building, infrastructure, small businesses, Transportation

We're taking a break

Yonge Street Staff Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Yonge Street is taking a break, but we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming on May 29. In the meantime, we've rounded up some of our favourite local stories to encourage you to get outdoors and explore the city.

Explorations: The Distillery District on a Segway

Sheena Lyonnais Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Distillery District is one of the city's historical gems and just one of many areas gearing up for Doors Open Toronto. We explore what makes its history so rich while gliding around the neighbourhood on Segways.

City Building, small businesses

Downtown Eastside - Old Town - Corktown

Algae: the key to turning pollution into power

Michael O'Shaughnessy Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Nestled behind a shopping plaza in Scarborough, Pond Biofuels has been working on turning pollution into clean energy since 2007. If they're successful, this innovative alternative to fossil fuel could change manufacturing.

Biodiversity, conservation, renewables, small businesses, Sustainability

Scarborough City Centre

Toronto's backyard bylaw isn't eggs-actly effective, and urban poultry lovers are crying fowl

Sarah B. Hood Wednesday, May 08, 2013

It's legal in many parts of Canada and the U.S., but Toronto's decades-old ban on backyard chickens continues to ruffle the feathers of urban egg farmers. Is the ban forcing these farmers to literally take urban poultry underground?

Biodiversity, City Building, conservation

Contest: Win passes to the Mesh Conference

Yonge Street Staff Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Win passes to mesh, Canada's premier digital conference featuring interactive workshops, keynote presentations and panel discussions by some of Canada's top tech, marketing and journalism thinkers. We've got two up for grabs!

MLSE Foundation improves neighbourhoods one basketball court at a time

Sheena Lyonnais Wednesday, May 01, 2013

The Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Foundation's legacy grants have helped 24 communities revitalize run down basketball courts, hockey rinks and soccer pitches--giving youth a safe neighbourhood place to increase self-esteem, develop team building skills, get active and have fun.

City Building, Corporate Social Responsibility