Meet the team
Neal Lilliott
Manager, startGBC
Neal joined the George Brown College team in March 2017 and is tasked with the strategic growth of both the entrepreneurial offerings and the startGBC physical space to ensure student entrepreneur success and the continued increase of George Brown College Student and Alumni business start-ups.
Neal has over 30 years of international business experience in entrepreneurship, establishing his first company in the United Kingdom at the age of 16 and growing it to a multiple-site operation, employing 26 team members with an annual turnover of $1.6M.
During his time in the British Government Diplomatic Missions network, Neal worked in the Department for International Trade and the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United Kingdom. Having been based at the British Consulate-General Chicago and Toronto, Neal worked with some of the top USA/Canada companies and targeted start-ups with high growth and research potential. With his strategic thinking and entrepreneurial expertise, Neal helped create over 2,800 jobs in the UK, attracting investments of over $1.4 billion.
A firm believer in the importance of entrepreneurship for the growth of our economy, Neal recognizes the need to share knowledge with start-ups to lower failure rates and advocates that through collaboration, start-ups create innovation.
Courtney Barr
startGBC Events & Project Coordinator
Courtney Brooke is a highly esteemed addition to startGBC and the George Brown College community. A proud George Brown alumna, she graduated from the School of Fashion and recently completed the Digital Media Marketing post-graduate program. With extensive experience in launching successful businesses, Courtney excels in international sourcing and product development, consistently creating innovative solutions.
Dedicated to helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, Courtney focuses on giving aspiring entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Her emphasis on community building, empowerment, and leadership has established her as a trusted mentor and leader. As a facilitator for the entrepreneurial incubator program, Courtney is committed to providing personalized guidance and strategic insights, fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment for aspiring entrepreneurs.
