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What is BITS?

Business in the Streets (BITS) is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that builds entrepreneurship among the underserved sections of the city’s youth. We empower young people aged 18 to 34 to plan, develop and grow their new and existing business ventures.

 

How does BITS help entrepreneurs?

BITS empowers aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs in three important ways:

  • We educate by providing business training programs free of cost to eligible young people living in the GTA.
  • We fund by offering grants and loans to eligible BITS participants who may otherwise face difficulty in accessing start-up funding and financing.
  • We provide access to ongoing opportunities, including coworking space, workshops, and special events.

 

How many programs and services does BITS have?

BITS has two educational programs (YCEO and BITS Boot Camp) and two funding programs (BITS Bucks and the Ignite Capital Pitch Competition).

 

In addition to our core programs, we also hold community workshops upon request. The workshops are full-day, interactive events that introduce participants to entrepreneurship, business planning essentials, BITS programming, and business resources that are available in the community.
 

How often do BITS programs take place?

Both YCEO and BITS Boot Camp take place on a cohort basis and operate on average every three to four months. BITS Bucks applications are evaluated on an ongoing basis. The Ignite Capital Pitch Competition is held annually.
 

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