VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund is a Loans and Capital investments

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?

VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund is funded by Government of Ontario, VERGE Capital

Q: Who is eligible for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program?

To be eligible for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program, you must: • The enterprise must be located in Southwestern Ontario. • The applicant can be a for-profit business, non-profit, or charity. • Priority is given to social enterprises serving historically excluded and marginalized populations.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?

You can contact Government of Ontario.

Q: Where is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund available?

The VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are startups eligible for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Loans for social enterprises in Southwestern Ontario

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Retail trade
Health care and social assistance

Funds Providers

VERGE Capital

Government of Ontario

Program status

Open

Overview

Get a loan up to $500,000 for your established social enterprise or large-scale community infrastructure that creates a significant community impact.

Financing terms and conditions

This fund primarily provides financial support through affordable and flexible loan financing tailored to social enterprises in Southwestern Ontario. The aim is to offer equitable financial solutions that empower historically excluded and marginalized populations.

Provision of affordable loans aimed at supporting both startup and established social enterprises.
Flexible financing terms to accommodate varied enterprise needs.

Activities funded

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:

$ 200,000

Establishing an art therapy program for at-risk youth

$ 500,000

Building a new community center for local engagement and activities

$ 200,000

Renovating an existing community café to increase accessibility

$ 300,000

Developing a mobile app to connect volunteers with community projects

$ 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under VERGE Capital — Breakthrough Fund?

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.