Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund
Loans for impact-driven ventures in Southwestern Ontario
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Enterprises that serve a social, environmental, cultural, or community mission
See full eligibility
Overview
VERGE Breakthrough Fund II Loan offers financing of up to $100,000 for social enterprises and up to $500,000 for large-scale community infrastructure in Southwestern Ontario. It supports enterprises with a social, environmental, cultural, or community mission through social purpose real estate, climate action, and community infrastructure projects such as affordable housing or green energy.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Social enterprise projects
- Social purpose real estate projects
- Climate action projects
- Large-scale community infrastructure such as affordable housing developments, green energy projects, nature conservation, community hubs, or arts and cultural spaces
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Enterprises that serve a social, environmental, cultural, or community mission
- Social enterprises
- For-profit businesses
- Non-profit organizations
Eligible geographic areas
- Southwestern Ontario
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the Inquiry Form
- Tell VERGE Capital about your social enterprise.
- The form takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- Step 2: Formal loan application
- If VERGE Capital is a fit, a formal loan application follows.
- The organization is helped to prepare the application.
- Step 3: Review and pitch
- The application is assessed by a review panel of volunteers.
- The applicant receives feedback and then presents to the panel.
- Step 4: Decision
- The review panel makes a recommendation to the Fund Board of Directors.
- The loan may be approved, require further work, or be declined.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed by a panel of 4-6 volunteers.
- Applicants receive the panel’s initial feedback before the pitch.
- A pitch meeting is held with the review panel, in person or by videoconference.
- The panel makes a recommendation to the Fund Board of Directors, which decides on approval, further work, or decline.
Additional information
- The Inquiry Form takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- All information provided will be kept confidential and will not be released or disclosed to third-party members without your consent.
- If Verge is a fit for your organization, the next step is a formal loan application.
- There are no deadlines, and the full process can take as little as 2 months and as long as 6 months.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund Program
What is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?
VERGE Breakthrough Fund II Loan offers financing of up to $100,000 for social enterprises and up to $500,000 for large-scale community infrastructure in Southwestern Ontario. It supports enterprises with a social, environmental, cultural, or community mission through social purpose real estate, climate action, and community infrastructure projects such as affordable housing or green energy.
How much funding can be received?
VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program?
To be eligible for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program, you must:
Serve a social, environmental, cultural, or community mission
Have demonstrated impact
Be located in Southwestern Ontario and have at least 1-2 years of operating history
What expenses are eligible under VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?
Social enterprise projects
Social purpose real estate projects
Climate action projects
Large-scale community infrastructure such as affordable housing developments, green energy projects, nature conservation, community hubs, or arts and cultural spaces
Who can I contact for more information about the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund available?
The VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund is a Loans and Capital investments