Open
Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs
Funding for new employment social enterprises
Last Update: May 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
TEF supports the start-up of new employment social enterprises in Peel, Toronto, and York Region. It offers Catalyzing Grants up to $7,500 and Start-Up Grants up to $100,000 over three years for feasibility studies, business plans, and launch costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Start a business
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing early-stage employment social enterprise ideas.
- Completing feasibility studies and business plans.
- Launching and establishing new employment social enterprises.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Employment social enterprises
- Social entrepreneurs
- Individuals and organizations developing early-stage ESE ideas
Eligible expenses
- Human resources costs.
- Coach and consulting fees.
- Costs to participate in entrepreneurship support programs.
- Administrative costs linked to feasibility study and business plan development.
- Costs required to launch and establish a new employment social enterprise.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs not related to the development of a feasibility study and business plan.
- Expenses beyond the launch and establishment of a new employment social enterprise.
Eligible geographic areas
- Peel Region
- Toronto
- York Region
Selection criteria
- Strength of the employment social enterprise idea.
- Ability of the project to test market and employment demand.
- Readiness to complete a feasibility study and business plan.
- Potential to launch and establish a new ESE.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the program details
- Read the available program information and guidance.
- Check whether your project fits the Catalyzing or Start-Up Grant stream.
- Step 2: Contact the funding body
- If you want to apply for Catalyzing Grant funding and have not participated in an Accelerator, contact Paul Chamberlain for application details.
- Step 3: Submit your application
- Follow the application instructions provided by the funding body.
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants interested in Catalyzing Grant funding and not already in an Accelerator should contact Paul Chamberlain for application details.
- Participants in the Accelerator programs may pitch for a Catalyzing Grant.
- Funding is not automatic and depends on the program’s review process.
Additional information
- The program includes both Catalyzing Grants and Start-Up Grants.
- Catalyzing Grants are intended to help complete a feasibility study and business plan.
- Start-Up Grants support the launch and establishment of a new employment social enterprise.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs Program
What is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?
TEF supports the start-up of new employment social enterprises in Peel, Toronto, and York Region. It offers Catalyzing Grants up to $7,500 and Start-Up Grants up to $100,000 over three years for feasibility studies, business plans, and launch costs.
How much funding can be received?
Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program?
To be eligible for the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program, you must:
New employment social enterprise project
Strong social enterprise idea
Located in TEF region
What expenses are eligible under Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?
Developing early-stage employment social enterprise ideas.
Completing feasibility studies and business plans.
Launching and establishing new employment social enterprises.
Who can I contact for more information about the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?
You can contact Enterprising Non-Profits Toronto, enp-TO (UWGT) by email at pchamberlain@uwgt.org.
Where is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs available?
The Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs is a Grant and Funding