Lunch and Learn: Scaling Your Venture, From Capital to Coaching
Join us for an engaging lunch and learn session designed specifically for entrepreneurs ready to take their business to the next level. Whether you're navigating your first financing application, planning for expansion, or seeking expert guidance to optimize operations, this session will provide practical insights and actionable strategies.
Our speakers from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) bring decades of combined experience helping Canadian entrepreneurs access capital and advisory services tailored to their unique growth stages. You'll learn how to approach business financing with confidence, understand what lenders look for, and discover how strategic advisory support can accelerate your growth and strengthen your operations.
This interactive session will cover:
Navigating business financing: Understanding your options, preparing strong applications, and positioning your business for success
Leveraging advisory services: How expert guidance in strategy, sales, and operations can drive measurable results
Real-world insights: Practical advice drawn from years of working with small and medium-sized businesses across Canada
Whether you're a startup founder, an established business owner planning expansion, or an entrepreneur exploring new growth opportunities, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about your business's future.
Light lunch will be served. Come ready to ask questions, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and gain clarity on your path forward.
Featured Speakers
Louay Georgie
Client Partner, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Louay Georgie brings over 18 years of commercial banking experience to his role at BDC Advisory Services. He specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses accelerate growth and improve performance through tailored advisory solutions. Louay works closely with entrepreneurs to identify opportunities across strategy, sales, and operations, delivering guidance that drives measurable results. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University.
Natalie Lin
Senior Account Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Natalie Lin is a seasoned financial professional with over a decade of experience empowering small business owners across Canada. As a commercial banker at BDC, she delivers customized financing solutions and strategic guidance tailored to each stage of business growth. With an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, Natalie combines analytical rigor with relationship-driven insight. Her expertise spans financial analysis, strategic planning, and credit advisory, helping entrepreneurs navigate funding complexities and build resilient, scalable operations. Known for her practical insights and collaborative approach, Natalie is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in local communities.
About the Host
About the City of Markham
The City of Markham is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Home to more than 365,000 residents and a thriving business ecosystem of over 10,000 companies — including 1,500 technology firms — Markham is recognized for its forward-thinking urban planning, dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, and strong pro-business environment.Through the Markham Small Business Centre, the city provides dedicated support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. A team of passionate business advisors offers personalized, one-on-one consulting and access to essential resources, helping local businesses launch, grow, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. www.markhambusiness.ca
About YSpace
YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like **ELLA powered by Desjardins** for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. Additionally with our Start-Up Visa program, we are building a robust ecosystem, driving positive change and empowering entrepreneurs to shape the future. We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Georgina