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ILEO: Storefront Starter Golden Mile

What is ILEO Storefront Starter?

ILEO Storefront Starter Golden Mile is a free three-phase program to help new and aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners from the Greater Golden Mile launch their business idea. Supported by United Way Greater Toronto and many other partners, the program includes:

  • Business training
  • Real life retail opportunities in prime locations in Toronto.
  •  Access to start-up capital
  • The opportunity to build relationships with some of Canada’s largest corporations participating in the ILEO Initiative convened by United Way Greater Toronto and BMO Financial Group

By joining the program, new and aspiring business owners will build business relationships, skills, confidence, and knowledge in a supportive environment to bring their business idea to the next level.

How Kristiana transformed her business into a reality

Learn how ILEO Storefront Starter has helped Kristiana build Laboterra Cosmetics into a thriving business.

Read the post

How ILEO’s Storefront Starter helped one food vendor build confidence — and her business

Read about Sara and how ILEO Storefront Starter helped her take her grandmother’s Haitian patties and create a business in her Scarborough community.

Read the post

Meet the Entrepreneurs in the ILEO Storefront Starter

Learn about the amazing ILEO Storefront Starter entrepreneurs participating in the ILEO Storefront Starter.

Meet the entrepreneurs

Please note that candidates who live or are interested in setting up a business in the following postal codes/neighbourhoods will be given priority:

Neighbourhoods

  • Golden Mile
  • Ionview
  • Victoria Village
  • Eglinton East
  • Kennedy Park
  • Flemingdon Park

Postal Codes (first three characters)

  • M4A
  • M3C
  • M1L
  • M1K
  • M1J
Map of the Golden Mile area outlining the neighbourhoods listed as part of the program.
Eligible Postal Codes: M4A, M3C, M1L, M1K, M1J

Meet previous Storefront Starter Participants (2022-2023 program)

Kadaesha Lindsay, Untainted Bath and Body Care.

As a Scarborough native, I am very honoured to be part of this amazing initiative. It brings the community together. It allows us to have exposure. That means a lot.

Kadaesha Lindsay, Untainted Bath and Body Care.
Leo Akai creator of Akai Organic

Just even getting a grant to validate this idea really gave me the inspiration and the belief that I really needed to just even get started.

Leo Mai, Akai Organic
Brian Osoteo creator of Couple Stripes

Storefront Starter allowed us to bring both new and existing customers into one space. It also brought together young, gifted and ambitious entrepreneurs who are like minded and were able to share experiences to help each other grow.

Brian Osoteo, Couple Stripes

Photo Gallery

ILEO Storefront Starter Holiday pop-up market.
ILEO Storefront entrepreneur in booth selling products at the holiday pop-up market.
ILEO Community Market sign at the event.
ILEO Storefront Starter entrepreneur shows products at their stall.
Various ILEO Storefront Starter participants take a group photo.
ILEO Storefront Starter entrepreneur at the market showing products at their stall.
Screenshot of Scarborough newspaper article about ILEO Storefront Starter.
Screen capture of TV segment on ILEO Market.
ILEO Storefront Starter entrepreneur at First Canadian Place pop-up market.
Residents of the Golden Mile area wall amongst vendor stalls at the ILEO pop-up market.
ILEO Storefront entrepreneur in booth selling products at the summer pop-up market.

Do you have a business idea or product that you’d like to take to the next level? Tell us and we will notify you as opportunities come up!

Tell us more

ILEO Partners

ACCES Employment

Choice Properties REIT

Dentons

RioCan REIT

BMO Financial Group

City of Toronto – Entrepreneurship Services

PwC Canada

The Daniels Corporation