inclusion | diversity | environment | acceleration

inclusion

diversity

environment

acceleration

The i.d.e.a. Fund was created to support and position local economies in southern Ontario for long-term growth. The goal is to provide high potential businesses with the opportunity to receive non-repayable grant money (seed funding) and business advisory supports to develop new green products, services, processes, and technologies and/or redesign existing products, services, processes, and technologies to reduce their impact on the environment.

Six Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) have combined efforts to deliver this targeted initiative to accelerate the growth of up to 240 businesses (120 per cohort) as they support the transition to a green economy, create jobs and future-proof their businesses. The Fund will also support an inclusive recovery, targeting 50% of the companies supported to be led by women and at least 30% by members of other racialized and under-represented groups.

Applications for Cohort 2 of i.d.e.a. Fund closed on April 17, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified in May and the full list of Cohort 2 recipients will be announced publicly in Summer 2023. Please note that Cohort 1 participants (i.e., businesses that were accepted to the program) are not eligible to apply to Cohort 2.

If you have specific questions, contact your Regional Innovation Centre or the i.d.e.a. Fund 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.

April 13 | 12:00-1:30 p.m.

View a recording of our March 28, 2023 Information Session. ASL Interpretation included.

Seed Funding & Support

You may receive

• 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

Interested in applying?

We’re looking for 120 companies that are:

• Fewer than 500 employees
• Federally incorporated or incorporated in the Province of Ontario
• Located in southern Ontario
• Will develop or redesign new products, services, processes or technologies that focus on a sustainable and green recovery

i.d.e.a. Fund Program Partners