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Supporting a more sustainable economy while fostering an inclusive and equitable recovery in southern Ontario

i.d.e.a. Fund is a program that fosters inclusion, diversity, environment and acceleration while contributing to a green recovery, and is delivered in partnership with the following Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RICs): Innovation Guelph, Haltech, Innovate Niagara, WEtech Alliance, Innovation Factory and TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, to support a more sustainable economy while fostering an inclusive and equitable recovery in Southern Ontario.

This program will provide specialized industry expertise to develop growth plans and related strategies in the areas such as talent attraction, raising follow-on investment, product development and quantification of product benefits/market value propositions, commercialization of intellectual property, and market diversification. Each RIC will distribute up to a maximum of $30,000 in matching seed funding to select innovative businesses in various sectors.

If your company is in southern Ontario, has a project that might fit the criteria and is interested in benefiting from a financial injection of seed funding and executive-level mentorship – keep reading!

Seed Funding & Support

  • Non-repayable seed funding of up to $30,000 with matching funds
  • Up to 40 hours of fully funded, targeted support from business leaders

Expert Help

Our experts have the knowledge and experience to help you address challenges and move your business forward in all areas including:

  • Growth plans and strategies
  • Talent attraction
  • Raising follow-on investment
  • Market diversification
  • Product development
  • Quantification of product benefits
  • Market value propositions
  • Commercialization of intellectual property
  • And more

Who can apply?

We’re looking for 120 companies that are:

  • High potential businesses that have growth potential
  • Committed to reducing their impact on the environment by developing new or redesigning:
    • Products
    • Services
    • Processes
    • Technologies

i.d.e.a. Fund News

The New Faces of Greenovation

| Haltech Client Spotlight, i.d.e.a. Fund, Newsroom | No Comments
When you think of an entrepreneur, what comes to mind? Perhaps a lifelong self-starter whose first venture was a childhood lemonade stand? Or, someone following…
Anna Stegink, owner and operator of online grocer Eat Impact, poses for a photograph at the company's warehouse in Barrie, Ont., on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Shoppers turn to ‘imperfect produce’ as grocery prices rise

| Haltech Client Spotlight, i.d.e.a. Fund | No Comments
On the outskirts of Barrie, Ont., sunlight washes over the outcast cucumber and parsley stacked on skids at Eat Impact's warehouse. Workers at the online…

i.d.e.a. Fund™ Recognized on the International Stage with Innovation Award

| i.d.e.a. Fund, Newsroom | No Comments
Image Courtesy of WEtech Alliance WEtech Alliance accepted the Award on behalf of i.d.e.a. Fund partners at Technology Councils of North America’s Summer Conference in…

Greenii Inc: Transforming Newspapers into Sustainable Paper Bags

| Haltech Client Spotlight, i.d.e.a. Fund | No Comments
This Halifax-based company has made waves in the sustainable manufacturing industry by revolutionizing the way we view old newspapers and magazines.

Do you have questions about i.d.e.a. Fund? Are you looking for more information?
Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions available in PDF below. Once you’ve reviewed the FAQs, if you’d like to connect, let’s have a chat!
Email the program manager.

Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about this exciting new program! There will be an opportunity for live Q&A with the i.d.e.a. Fund team throughout each session. Click the links below to register for one of our upcoming sessions.

To prepare for the information sessions, you can download our full Program Guide.

Info Sessions

Choose 1 session

March 28 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Register

April 5 | 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Register

April 13 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Register

The first cohort of this program concluded on February 28, 2023. Cohort 2 will begin in June 2023 and continues to December 31, 2023. For full selection criteria, consult the i.d.e.a. Fund Program Guide.

Applications for Cohort 2 of i.d.e.a. Fund have now closed. Successful applicants will be notified in May and the full list of Cohort 2 recipients will be announced publicly in Summer 2023.

Delivery Partners

This program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Jobs and Growth Fund, which advances economic recovery efforts, supports businesses and organizations to help create jobs, supports the transition to a green economy, and positions local economies for long-term growth.