News Release
For Immediate Release
NIAGARA, June 14, 2023 - Today, 22 companies received non-repayable contributions of $660,000 from Innovate Niagara, in partnership with Innovation Guelph, through Cohort 2 of the Government of Canada-supported i.d.e.a Fund.
The i.d.e.a. Fund is a southern Ontario-focused initiative that was developed to help clean growth firms access the tools they need to succeed by providing financial and business advisory supports to develop or redesign green products, services, processes and technologies that reduce impacts to our environment and create made-in-Canada climate change solutions.
The program fosters inclusion and diversity, with a focus on continuing Canada’s transition to a green economy. Supported by a $10-million Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the i.d.e.a. Fund is being delivered by six Regional Innovation Centres (RICs): Innovation Guelph, WEtech Alliance, Haltech, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory and TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario.
“Business owners in southern Ontario are making incredible strides to promote green products and build a clean economy. The i.d.e.a. Fund offers financial and advisory support to entrepreneurs who are creating made-in-Canada solutions to our everyday problems,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “The Government of Canada is happy to support the i.d.e.a. Fund as they work with the next generation of Canada’s entrepreneurs to enable them to reach their full potential.”
The Innovate Niagara-supported companies in Cohort 2 are:
● 4 Mile Creek Farms
● Amber Energy Co-op
● Aquasensing
● Barber Hymac Hydro
● Brand Blvd
● Cacao Systems
● DriverDX
● Eatable
● ElectroMaax
● ESG Tree
● Forward Robotics
● Haraa
● IDEAMASN
● International Zeolite
● Kind Laundry
● Liven Proteins
● Poket
● Rosor Corp
● Sade Baron Inc
● Tailwind Health Company
● Trybe
● Urban Tractor Farm
To learn more about the i.d.e.a. Fund, visit Innovate Niagara – i.d.e.a. Fund.
Quick Facts
● Across southern Ontario, 125 companies will receive non-repayable contributions of $3,750,000 in Cohort 2.
● In 2022, 117 companies received non-repayable contributions of $3,500,000 through Cohort 1.
● Led by Innovation Guelph, the fund is being delivered in partnership with five other Regional Innovation Centres (RICs): WEtech Alliance (Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent), Haltech (Halton Region), Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory (Hamilton), and TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario (London).
● Fifty percent of the businesses receiving support through the fund will be owned or led by women and 30 percent owned or led by Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, Black communities, racialized communities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community.
Associated Links
● Innovate Niagara – i.d.e.a. Fund
● i.d.e.a. Fund
● FedDev Ontario
● Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Catherine Rice
Marketing, Communications + Events
Innovate Niagara
crice@innovateniagara.com
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario
Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Innovate Niagara
Innovate Niagara is one of 17 Regional Innovation Centres in Ontario. Our mission is clear: we exist to support innovative entrepreneurs and companies from a variety of industries start, grow and succeed. Innovate Niagara offers mentorship, market intelligence, tech incubation, workshops and events, and networking opportunities. Our team provides the structure, services, and resources innovators need to get their great ideas off the ground. As true collaborators and strong partners within Canada’s innovation ecosystem, Innovate Niagara works closely with local, provincial, and national partners to meet the unique demands of the modern entrepreneur and innovator.
