Closed
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities
Funding for non-profit organizations in York Region
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 13, 2023
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Be amongst two not-for-profit organizations to get a contribution of up to $10,000 for a project or an initiative that promotes, supports, or enhances entrepreneurship or innovation in York Region.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : October 13, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Information and cultural industries
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 99 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Information and knowledge dissemination through workshops to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities.
- Community outreach and engagement initiatives designed to enhance inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.
- Projects focused on digitizing communities to improve participation and access.
- Development and implementation of Agri-tech or Cleantech solutions supporting sustainability in areas such as precision agriculture, robotics, AI in agriculture, vertical farming, food automation, ecosystem sustainability, decarbonization, and electric vehicles.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations serving underrepresented communities in York Region
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs developing Agri-tech, Agri-food, or Cleantech innovations
Eligible expenses
- Costs related to information and knowledge dissemination through workshops.
- Expenses for community outreach and engagement activities.
- Investments in digitizing communities and related digital transformation initiatives.
Eligible geographic areas
- York Region, Ontario
Selection criteria
- Community impact and economic benefits for York Region.
- Organizational capacity and governance (for non-profits) or business viability and growth/scaling potential (for small businesses/entrepreneurs).
- Collaborative innovation, including partnerships with other regional stakeholders (for non-profits only).
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion—how the project meets the needs of underrepresented communities (for non-profits); diversity and inclusion impact (for small businesses/entrepreneurs).
- Clarity and completeness of the project application, including the proposed use of funds and demonstrated impact on business (for small businesses/entrepreneurs).
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Application Requirements
- Read all application guidelines for your eligible stream (e.g., non-profits or entrepreneurs/agri-tech and cleantech solutions).
- Prepare necessary supporting documents (e.g., project work plan, proposed budget, most recent financial statements for non-profits; company pitch deck for small businesses).
- Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form thoroughly, ensuring all required fields and sections are addressed.
- Ensure the application includes all required attachments as specified for your applicant type.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form along with all supporting documentation through the designated process provided by ventureLAB (specific submission platform or method to be confirmed by fund guidelines).
- Ensure the application is submitted before the posted deadline.
- Step 4: Review and Evaluation
- A Review Committee comprised of ventureLAB, Regional Staff, and innovation stakeholders will assess submitted applications based on defined evaluation criteria.
- Step 5: Notification of Results
- Applicants are notified whether they have been selected to receive funding.
- Both winners and non-winners are contacted following the review process.
- Step 6: Funding Agreement and Disbursement
- Successful applicants sign a Funding Agreement.
- Funds are disbursed within 30 business days following the signing of the agreement.
- Step 7: Final Project Reporting
- Upon project completion, recipients must submit a Final Project Report detailing outcomes.
Additional information
- Previously funded recipients are not eligible for two consecutive rounds and must submit a new project to reapply.
- Application evaluations are conducted by a committee consisting of ventureLAB representatives, Regional Staff, and key innovation stakeholders.
- Fund recipients are required to submit a Final Project Report to demonstrate completion.
- Funds are disbursed within 30 business days after signing the Funding Agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities Program
What is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
Be amongst two not-for-profit organizations to get a contribution of up to $10,000 for a project or an initiative that promotes, supports, or enhances entrepreneurship or innovation in York Region.
How much funding can be received?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program?
To be eligible for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program, you must:
Company must be incorporated and based in Canada.
Operational in York Region and able to engage with a York Region innovation partner for at least six months.
Must have 1-99 employees and at least one business and one technical co-founder.
What expenses are eligible under Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
Information and knowledge dissemination through workshops to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities.
Community outreach and engagement initiatives designed to enhance inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.
Projects focused on digitizing communities to improve participation and access.
Development and implementation of Agri-tech or Cleantech solutions supporting sustainability in areas such as precision agriculture, robotics, AI in agriculture, vertical farming, food automation, ecosystem sustainability, decarbonization, and electric vehicles.
Who can I contact for more information about the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
You can contact ventureLAB or by phone at 905-248-2727.
Where is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities available?
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities is a Grant and Funding