Side Project Social

Date
2026-03-05
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Host
Community

About this event

Some of the best side projects start with a half-formed idea, a useful skill, and one good conversation. Side Project Social is a relaxed in-person gathering in Toronto for people who are building, exploring, experimenting, or simply curious about what others are making outside the boundaries of their day job. Whether you already have something in progress or you are still at the stage of scribbling ideas in notes apps, this is a place to meet people who understand the pull of making things for the sake of learning, testing, and creating momentum. Expect thoughtful conversations, practical connections, and the kind of energy that comes from being in a room with people who are actively trying things. What Is This? Side Project Social is a community meetup built around one simple premise: side projects are easier, more interesting, and more sustainable when you are not building in isolation. This event brings together people from different backgrounds who share a common interest in creating something alongside the rest of life. This is not a formal conference or a highly structured networking event. It is designed to be approachable, social, and useful. You can come to talk about an idea, get unstuck on something you are working through, meet future collaborators, or just spend time with people who care about making things. The format is intentionally simple. By keeping things in person and community-focused, the event creates room for genuine conversation rather than rushed introductions. You do not need a polished pitch, a launched product, or a technical background to belong here. What to Expect The evening begins at 6:00 PM EST on Thursday, March 5 and is built to make it easy to settle in, meet people naturally, and find conversations that are actually relevant to your interests. Because this is a social meetup, the emphasis is on interaction over presentation. You can expect a mix of: Casual introductions with other attendees Open conversation about projects, ideas, roadblocks, and next steps Peer connection across creative, technical, entrepreneurial, and community-minded backgrounds Organic networking that feels more like talking with smart, motivated people than collecting contacts Idea exchange around tools, workflows, lessons learned, and useful resources Some people will arrive with a clear side project they want to discuss. Others will come looking for inspiration, accountability, or fresh perspective. Both are a good fit. The strength of this kind of gathering is that the room is likely to include people at different stages, from early exploration to active building. If you usually dislike networking, this event may feel different. The shared topic gives people something real to talk about from the start: what they are making, why they started, what is getting in the way, and what they want to try next. Why Attend A side project can be energizing, but it can also be easy to lose momentum when you are doing everything on your own. Side Project Social offers the kind of environment that can help turn vague motivation into concrete progress. Sometimes that happens through advice. Sometimes it happens through accountability. Often, it starts with simply meeting someone who asks the right question. You might leave with a new collaborator, a better way to frame your project, a recommendation that saves you time, or a renewed sense of commitment to something you have been putting off. Even one strong conversation can make the next step feel much clearer. This event is also valuable if you are still figuring out what you want to build. Hearing how other people think through ideas, constraints, and experiments can give you a more realistic and encouraging view of what it takes to start. You do not need to have everything mapped out before showing up. More broadly, being around people who care about making things can be useful in itself. It sharpens your thinking, expands your sense of what is possible, and reminds you that progress often comes from staying connected to a community rather than trying to solve everything alone. Practical Details Location: In person in Toronto, Canada. This is a face-to-face meetup, so come ready to talk, listen, and connect directly with other attendees. Date and time: Thursday, March 5 at 6:00 PM EST. Since this is an evening event, it is well suited for people coming after work, school, or other daytime commitments. A few useful ways to prepare: Bring a quick description of what you are building or thinking about Be ready to ask others what they are working on and what kind of help or feedback they want If you do not have a project yet, come with curiosity and a willingness to explore ideas Plan for conversation rather than passive attendance The goal is simple: spend an evening with thoughtful people who care about side projects and see what starts from there. If you have been wanting a better circle around your ideas, this is a strong place to begin.

Who should attend

This is for you if you want more than surface-level networking and would rather meet people through real conversations about what they are building, testing, or figuring out. - You are actively working on a **side project** and want feedback, encouragement, or fresh perspective from people who get the process. - You have **an idea you have not started yet** and want to talk it through with others who can help you make it more concrete. - You are looking for **collaborators, peers, or accountability** rather than just a stack of new contacts. - You work in a **creative, technical, entrepreneurial, or interdisciplinary** space and like being around people who make things outside their main role. - You are new to Toronto's community scene, or just want a better way to meet **curious, self-directed people** in person. - You usually find networking awkward, but you are much more comfortable when there is a **shared topic and genuine common ground**. You do not need a launched product, a polished intro, or a big plan. If you are interested in building something and want to be in a room with others who feel the same pull, you will fit right in.

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