In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Usha Srinivasan, Founder and CEO of BReady.ai and the former Executive Director who helped launch and lead the Brampton Venture Zone.

Recorded as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold, this conversation explores how BVZ was built from the ground up during the early days of the pandemic, and how a community-first approach helped shape what is now a cornerstone of the Brampton Innovation District.

Usha shares:

• How BVZ came to life through collaboration between the City of Brampton and Toronto Metropolitan University
• Why listening deeply to the community shaped BVZ’s strategy, sectors, and programs
• Lessons in leadership, resilience, and confidence gained from building without a playbook
• How her journey at BVZ led to the creation of BReady.ai, supporting newcomers and underrepresented talent into meaningful employment

This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the people who helped shape its legacy.

🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/9CXfdm83JpU

Guest:
Usha SrinivasanFounder & CEO, BReady.ai
Former Executive Director, Brampton Venture Zone