Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario
Mentorships for innovative tourism ideas
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
November 12, 2025
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative launched in Windsor-Essex in 2018 that supports the Spark Mentorships & Grants Program to help local innovators strengthen Canada’s tourism industry across Ontario. It aims to spark new tourism ideas, bridge tourism and technology, and build a national network of innovators.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of new tourism ideas, experiences, or partnerships
- Projects that improve current tourism offerings or fill gaps in tourism products and services
- Ideas that encourage longer stays, repeat visits, and year-round tourism spending
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form
- Short unedited video introducing the applicant and tourism idea
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small non-profit organizations
- Community groups
Who is not eligible
- Organizations outside Northwest Ontario
- Organizations with more than 10 full-time year-round employees
- Businesses that are not small non-profits or community groups
Eligible expenses
- Tourism idea development activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Northwest Ontario
Selection criteria
- Ability to create new tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences, or partnerships
- Potential to enhance current tourism offerings
- Potential to create high-quality tourism experiences
- Potential to address gaps in tourism products and services
- Potential to increase travel, longer stays, repeat visits, and year-round spending
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the online application form
- Fill out the online form with the required information.
- Step 2: Prepare the video submission
- Record a short, unedited, unproduced video of up to one minute.
- Introduce yourself, your organization, and your new tourism idea.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Upload the form and video file or link through the online process.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a jury of tourism innovators and leaders.
- Finalists take part in a pitch session.
- Winning applicants are selected from the participating region.
- Selected applicants receive the mentorship and seed funding support.
Additional information
- Each Spark participant is paired with a hand-picked mentor.
- The Lab keeps a roster of experts in various fields on hand.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario Program
What is the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario?
Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative launched in Windsor-Essex in 2018 that supports the Spark Mentorships & Grants Program to help local innovators strengthen Canada’s tourism industry across Ontario. It aims to spark new tourism ideas, bridge tourism and technology, and build a national network of innovators.
Who is eligible for the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario program?
To be eligible for the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario program, you must:
Based in Northwest Ontario
Small non-profit or community group
New tourism idea
What expenses are eligible under Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario?
Development of new tourism ideas, experiences, or partnerships
Projects that improve current tourism offerings or fill gaps in tourism products and services
Ideas that encourage longer stays, repeat visits, and year-round tourism spending
Who can I contact for more information about the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario?
You can contact Tourism Innovation Lab by email at outreach@tourisminnovation.ca or by phone at 888-960-7641 ext. 4.
Where is the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario available?
The Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario?
Spark Mentorships & Grants - Northwest Ontario is funded by Tourism Innovation Lab