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VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Loans for social enterprises in Southwestern Ontario
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
Get a loan up to $500,000 for your established social enterprise or large-scale community infrastructure that creates a significant community impact.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce the ecological footprint
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
Activities funded
The VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund supports social enterprises in Southwestern Ontario that prioritize social and environmental impact. These activities include providing financial support to diverse initiatives aimed at fostering community growth and innovation.
- Investing in social enterprises, including for-profit businesses, nonprofits, and charities.
- Supporting historically excluded and marginalized populations through equitable access to capital.
- Encouraging sustainable growth and partnerships within local communities.
- Engaging in conservation and environmental enhancement projects in Ontario.
- Catalyzing women-led enterprises to promote economic recovery and resilience.
- Financing impact investments aimed at social innovation and development.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 300,000
Developing a mobile app to connect volunteers with community projects
$ 200,000
Renovating an existing community café to increase accessibility
$ 200,000
Establishing an art therapy program for at-risk youth
$ 500,000
Building a new community center for local engagement and activities
$ 400,000
Expansion of a local food cooperative to include more locally-sourced products
$ 250,000
Launching a new environmental education program schools
Eligibility
Eligibility for this funding from VERGE Capital is based on several key criteria related to the applicant's operation and impact potential.
- Applicants must be social enterprises operating in Southwestern Ontario.
- Eligible applicants include startup and established for-profit businesses, non-profits, and charities.
- The enterprise should prioritize social, environmental, and community impact over solely financial profits.
- Preference may be given to social enterprises owned by, led by, or serving historically excluded and marginalized populations.
Who is eligible?
VERGE Capital's Local Investment for Local Impact initiative provides funding to a diverse set of social enterprises in Southwestern Ontario. This includes for-profit businesses, nonprofits, and charities that prioritize social and environmental impact.VERGE Capital is particularly interested in supporting enterprises that are either:1. Owned by, led by, or serve historically excluded and marginalized populations.2. Aim to create social, environmental, and community impacts in the region.3. Commit to fostering local economies and contributing to a greener and more inclusive economy.Who is not eligible
Yes, certain types of companies may not be eligible for the VERGE Capital grant:
- Companies that do not operate in Southwestern Ontario
- Companies that do not have a focus on social impact or sustainability
Eligible expenses
VERGE Capital's initiatives focus on supporting social enterprises that drive economic inclusion and environmental sustainability. These activities are targeted towards enhancing access to finance for marginalized communities and fostering community-driven development.
- Providing affordable and flexible loan financing to startup and established social enterprises.
- Empowering communities through strategic partnerships and impact investments.
- Facilitating place-based impact investing to catalyze the growth of women-led enterprises.
- Developing collaborative community finance initiatives to drive local economic growth.
- Supporting conservation projects through innovative financing mechanisms like Conservation Impact Bonds.
Eligible geographic areas
The VERGE Capital Breakthrough Fund focuses on supporting local economies in Southwestern Ontario. The fund is aimed at businesses, regardless of for-profit status, operating within this specific region.
- Southwestern Ontario, Canada
Selection criteria
VERGE Capital has specific evaluation and selection criteria for their grant applications.
- Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental impact
- Viability of the business model and financial sustainability
- Potential for growth and scalability
- Innovation and creativity in addressing social and environmental challenges
- Alignment with VERGE Capital's mission and values
How to apply
1
Review the eligibility criteria and guidelines
- Content: Check if your social enterprise meets the eligibility requirements outlined by VERGE Capital.
- Implications: Ensuring that your organization aligns with the fund's focus areas and objectives.
2
Prepare your application and supporting documents
- Content: Gather all necessary information and documentation required for the application process.
- Implications: Presenting a strong case for why your social enterprise should receive funding.
3
Submit your application
- Content: Follow the designated procedure to submit your application to VERGE Capital.
- Implications: Ensuring that your application is received and reviewed for potential funding.
4
Await funding decision
- Content: Allow time for VERGE Capital to assess your application and make a funding decision.
- Implications: Being patient while your application is under review and awaiting a response.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Specifically aims to empower vibrant communities in Southwestern Ontario through strategic partnerships.
- Launch of Breakthrough Fund II with an initial investment highlights its commitment to sustainable growth.
- Focus on collaboration with cross-sectoral community finance stakeholders through initiatives like Catalyst: Community Finance Initiative.
- Emphasis on financing conservation projects in the Carolinian Zone as part of broader social and environmental impacts.
- Commitment to place-based impact investing, particularly in women-led enterprises for post-COVID recovery.
