Business Incubation & Commercialization Grant Program
Toronto, ON, Canada
Offer financial support to nurture entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation in Toronto through robust programming provided by not-for-profit organizations
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
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- City of Toronto
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The Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that offer robust entrepreneurship, incubation, and acceleration programming aimed at business formation, innovation, and job creation in Toronto. Eligible activities include pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration services, as well as targeted entrepreneurial programs and events. The program offers up to $100,000 for multi-year operational support and up to $20,000 for individual programs.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program provides grants for not-for-profit organizations offering various entrepreneurship, incubation, and acceleration activities in Toronto.
- Pre-incubation: Business advisory support, mentoring, networking, and market research
- Incubation: Implementation of business ideas into operation, office or studio space, shared equipment, and prototype development
- Acceleration: Rapid growth facilitation through strategic financing and market readiness strategies
- Programs: Comprehensive entrepreneurship support activities
- Events: Networking events with targeted sectoral or demographical reach and impact
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The Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program is designed for not-for-profit organizations in Toronto that provide entrepreneurship, incubation, and acceleration programming. Eligible organizations must demonstrate robust programming, proof of not-for-profit status, and meet specific requirements based on the funding stream.
- Be a not-for-profit organization that provides incubation-type programming to entrepreneurs
- Programming that is Toronto-centric and supports Toronto-based entrepreneurs and startups
- Robust business incubation, acceleration and entrepreneurship programming
- Detailed and comprehensive application and supporting documents
- Proof of Not-for-Profit Status
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For-profit incubators and individual businesses are not eligible for this grant.
- For-profit incubators
- Individual businesses
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses specified for this grant.
- Salaries and program delivery costs
- Office and studio space costs
- Equipment and supplies
- Marketing and outreach
- Program evaluation and administration
- Event-related expenses
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to not-for-profit organizations that provide incubation-type programming to entrepreneurs in Toronto.
- Toronto-based organizations
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Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications will be assessed using a scoring system based on four key program priorities, with decisions concerning eligibility and funding amounts being final.
- Program Alignment
- Program Impact and Engagement
- Organizational Capacity
- Financial Sustainability
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter for updates on future rounds of funding and training.
- Step 2: Ensure your organization meets the eligibility requirements for either the Multi-Year Operating Stream or Programs and Events Stream.
- Step 3: Prepare the necessary supporting documents:
- For the Multi-Year Operating Stream:
- Proof of not-for-profit status
- Your organization’s program staff complement and most current Board of Directors
- Most recent audited financial statements demonstrating revenues between $100,000 to $1 million
- Robust curriculum
- Milestones and deliverables overview
- For the Programs and Events Stream:
- Proof of not-for-profit status
- Your organization’s program staff complement and most current Board of Directors
- Detailed budget
- Robust curriculum or event schedule
- Milestones and deliverables overview if applying for the Program Stream
- Step 4: Download templates which can be used to prepare supporting documents, such as Detailed Budget and Milestones and deliverables overview.
- Step 5: Submit an application when the application period is open, along with all required supporting documents.
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The Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program offers financial support to not-for-profit organizations focused on the development of entrepreneurship, incubators, and accelerators in Toronto. Funding is not guaranteed annually, and applications for future rounds are currently closed.
- Program updates can be received by subscribing to the BusinessTO newsletter.
- Organizations must provide aggregate data on their program’s reach and impacts annually.
- Eligible organizations cannot participate in more than one funding stream per year.
- Organizations receiving other core funding from the City of Toronto cannot apply for the Multi-year Operating Stream.
- Applicants need various supporting documents, such as proof of not-for-profit status and detailed budgets, depending on the funding stream.
- Decisions on eligibility and funding amounts by the assessment panel are final.
grant_single_labels|contact
416-392-3386
Apply to this program
Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program: A Funding Opportunity for Not-for-Profit Organizations
Overview of the Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program
The Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program, sponsored by the City of Toronto, offers not-for-profit organizations substantial financial support aimed at fostering business formation, innovation, and job creation. Designed specifically for incubators and entrepreneurship organizations, this program ensures that new entrepreneurs, businesses, and start-ups receive robust programming to help them thrive in the competitive Toronto market.
Objectives of the Grant Program
The primary objective of the Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program is to enhance entrepreneurship and incubation activities that align with the City of Toronto’s goals of access, equity, and inclusion. The program aspires to create a transparent, accountable, and fully accessible framework that supports the development of innovative ideas and businesses, leading to sustainable organizational growth and increased efficiency.
Funding Streams Available
There are two main funding streams offered under this program:
1. Multi-Year Operating Stream
This stream provides up to 20% of eligible expenses, capped at a maximum of $100,000. Funding is dispensed in two parts: 75% upfront and the remaining 25% upon completion. This stream is meant for organizations that have been operational for at least three years and have demonstrated the ability to support business formation and job creation effectively.
2. Programs and Events Stream
This stream supports specific programs and events. Grants can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum cap of $20,000 for programs and $10,000 for events. Similar to the Multi-Year Operating Stream, 75% of the funding is provided upfront, and 25% is held until completion. This stream is ideal for organizations focused on single or series of entrepreneurship events or developmental programs.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
To qualify for either funding stream, organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria:
General Eligibility
- Must be a not-for-profit organization.
- Must provide incubation-type programming to entrepreneurs and start-ups based in Toronto.
Types of Eligible Organizations
- Pre-Incubator: Offers development of business ideas through support such as advisory services, mentoring, networking, and market research.
- Incubator: Supports the implementation of business ideas into actual operations, providing advisory services, office space, shared industrial equipment, and more.
- Accelerator: Aids in rapid business growth through strategic financing and market readiness strategies, including providing advisory support and office space.
- Post-Secondary Education Institution: Provides entrepreneurship and business support as part of its curriculum, including campus-led incubators and accelerators. Note: This category is only eligible for the Programs and Events Stream with a cap of four grants per academic institution.
- Industry Association: Represents a specific business sector with a focus on entrepreneurship and sector development.
Additional Requirements
- Programming and support must be Toronto-centric.
- Organizations must provide detailed and comprehensive applications along with the necessary supporting documents.
- Proof of Not-for-Profit status is mandatory.
Stream-Specific Requirements
In addition to general eligibility, streams have specific requirements:
Multi-Year Operating Stream
- Organizations must have been incorporated for at least three years.
- Must have paid staff.
- Programming should focus on company formation and job creation.
- A proven history of successful entrepreneurship and robust programming for at least three years.
- Must provide audited financial statements showing revenues between $100,000 to $1 million.
Programs and Events Stream
- Organizations must have been incorporated for at least two years.
- Programming can include a range of entrepreneurship activities, from pre-incubation to accelerator events.
- A history of successful entrepreneurship or social enterprise programming is required.
- Organizations must provide a comprehensive budget showing revenue of less than $100,000 for programs or $50,000 for events.
Ineligibility Criteria
For-profit incubators and individual businesses are ineligible for this grant program. Additionally, eligible organizations cannot:
- Take equity from start-ups they support.
- Apply for more than one funding stream per year.
- Apply for new grants if they are already receiving funds through a multi-year agreement until the existing funding period has ended.
Organizations already receiving core funding from the City of Toronto may apply only for the smaller Programs and Events Stream, subject to available funds.
Reporting Obligations
Grant recipients must demonstrate the program’s reach and impact through an annual questionnaire provided by the City of Toronto. The required metrics vary based on the stream:
Multi-Year Operating Stream and Program Stream Metrics
- Number of events
- Number of program queries
- Number of clients served
- Number of businesses formed
- Number of jobs created
- Client postal codes
- Participant demographic information
- List of companies served, including company names and website addresses
Event Stream Metrics
- Number of events
- Number of participants
- Client postal codes
- Participant demographic information
Application Process
Applications are currently closed, but interested organizations are encouraged to subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter for updates on future funding rounds. When applications open, the following supporting documents will be required:
Multi-Year Operating Stream
- Proof of not-for-profit status
- Organization’s program staff complement and most current Board of Directors
- Most recent audited financial statements
- Robust curriculum
- Milestones and deliverables overview
Programs and Events Stream
- Proof of not-for-profit status
- Organization’s program staff complement and most current Board of Directors
- Detailed budget
- Robust curriculum or event schedule
- Milestones and deliverables overview (for programs only)
Templates for the detailed budget and milestones overview can be downloaded for preparation. For any questions, applicants can contact Nina Gesa at 416-392-3386 or nina.gesa@toronto.ca, and Wei Guo at 416-395-7474 or wei.guo@toronto.ca.
Assessment and Funding Decisions
Applications will be reviewed by an assessment panel consisting of community advisors and City staff. The panel will assess applications based on key criteria, including program alignment, impact and engagement, organizational capacity, and financial sustainability. All decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.