Have you ever wondered what a full day tour of Barrie looks like for an entrepreneurial founder? Over 20 founders based in the fintech, consulting, Software as a Service (SaaS), med tech, education, agri-tech, and additional sectors had the opportunity to travel from Toronto to explore what Barrie’s business community and ecosystem offers.
Tour Stop #1 – Georgian College’s Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre
No trip to Barrie’s business community would be complete without a stop at Georgian College’s Department of Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a true hub of creativity and collaboration. During the tour, founders had the chance to explore three dynamic branches: Research & Innovation, Social Innovation, and the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre. Highlights included walking through the impressive Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre, visiting the newly established Centre for Industrial Simulation and Prototyping, and stepping into the Larche Studio to see innovation in action. Participants heard how local businesses can tap into the expertise of Georgian’s research team, faculty, and students, and even got a behind-the-scenes look at real-world projects with community leaders like Honda and Beaver Rock. It was a hands-on experience that showcased how much potential Barrie’s ecosystem has to offer.
The group also had a surprise guest appearance by reIGNITE Conference Founder, Chris Adams, to speak about the exclusive camp community of entrepreneurs, start-ups, angel investors, leaders, venture capitalists, and innovative business peers that meet annually for a three-day retreat that brings together business ecosystems from across the province.
Tour Stop #2 – Sandbox Centre, Barrie’s Regional Innovation Centre
The tour carried on to the Sandbox Centre, Barrie’s newest Regional Innovation Centre, perfectly situated along the city’s vibrant downtown waterfront. Here, the group was welcomed by the Managing Director, Dina Tzirakos-Hawker, who guided them through the refreshed space and shared exciting updates on new programming, co-working opportunities, and the Centre’s evolving role in supporting entrepreneurs. After the tour, founders settled in for a series of engaging presentations with the aim of highlighting why Barrie is a top destination for business. Guest presentations included research and innovation opportunities at Lakehead University with Rebecca Heffernan, and gaining valuable insights into angel-level funding from Michael Badham of the Georgian Angel Network. One of the key topics of interest for the founders was the opportunity to leverage the new Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub, that will offer a next-generation learning environment focused on engineering, mechatronics, and computer science.
The visit wrapped up with an inspiring regional founder panel featuring five diverse business leaders from the Sourcery, Botree Inc., Superhuman Health Club, Environmental Systems Corporation and Parker Coulter Real Estate, who spoke candidly about their experiences building companies in Barrie and shared tips for newcomers. For many attendees, this session was a standout moment, capturing the collaborative spirit that makes Barrie’s ecosystem so welcoming and unique.
Tour Stop #3 – Industrial Site Tour
To wrap up an exciting day, the founders hopped back on the bus for a guided tour around Barrie, offering a first-hand look at the city’s growth and momentum. The tour highlighted thriving industrial and innovation hubs where local and global companies are creating jobs and driving new technologies, alongside vibrant new residential developments.
Participants also experienced Barrie’s livability—from its scenic waterfront and lively downtown to creative spaces that foster community and connection. Along the way, landmarks were paired with stories of Barrie’s evolution from a lakeside town to one of Ontario’s fastest-growing urban centres—a city that combines strategic location, strong infrastructure, and a collaborative business ecosystem.
By the end of the tour, it was clear why Barrie is an ideal destination for founders: a place where entrepreneurs can grow their businesses, connect with talent and resources, and enjoy a lifestyle that keeps both people and ideas thriving.
A huge thank you goes out to the Ontario Centre of Innovation and the Toronto Business Development Centre for bringing this incredible group of founders together and for choosing Barrie as a destination to showcase. Their support in connecting entrepreneurs with new opportunities is what makes experiences like this possible, and we’re thrilled they saw the value in highlighting all that Barrie has to offer!
If your organization or group is interested in exploring Barrie’s thriving business ecosystem and seeing why so many are choosing to grow here, we’d love to welcome you. Please reach out to Invest Barrie today to book your own familiarization tour—we’d be happy to show you around!