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Government of Canada support helps drive clean-tech and circular growth in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
September 4, 2024 Windsor, Ontario – Southern Ontario’s diverse network of promising entrepreneurs and businesses fuels Canada’s potential as a leader in clean technology. This is why the i.d.e.a. Fund was launched in 2022, and has provided support for nearly 245 businesses focused on green technology and clean innovation succeed through access to capital and mentoring to commercialize innovative technologies.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, announced Government of Canada support toward the continuation of the i.d.e.a. Fund, while visiting Boundless Accelerator in Guelph, Ontario.
A part of a larger $5.2 million-investment for Boundless Accelerator, delivered by FedDev Ontario, this support will enable i.d.e.a. Fund to launch a third cohort of its important programming, in partnership with five Regional Innovation Centres (RIC) partners: Boundless Accelerator™, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory, Launch Lab, TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, and WETechAlliance. This new intake will provide up to 145 companies across Ontario with access to business support and seed funding to develop and/or re-design green products, services, processes and technologies to reduce their environmental footprint.
Affinity, pictured, participated in the highly successful first cohort of i.d.e.a. Fund.
As part of this partnership, WETechAlliance will lead on delivering the i.d.e.a. Fund in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. WETechAlliance will help to provide eligible clean-tech businesses in the region with advisory services and non-repayable contributions of up to $20,000 to contribute to the growth and expansion of clean-tech and circular economy solutions.
Application intake will open on September 9, 2024. For more information, including how to apply, visit the i.d.e.a. Fund website.
“Canada is ready to be a world leader in the green economy, and southern Ontario’s businesses and organizations are in a unique position to lead the way. The continuation of the i.d.e.a. Fund, Boundless Accelerator and its RIC partners will support clean-tech businesses across southern Ontario to commercialize innovative technologies while adopting new green processes to create sustainable economic growth for generations to come.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Through this Government of Canada investment, our strong partnership with WETechAlliance will further strengthen our regional economy in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, and it will support innovative tech entrepreneurs and businesses driving a greener future in southwestern Ontario.”
– Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh
“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Boundless Accelerator and continue our commitment to supporting clean-tech innovation in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. With up to $20,000 in non-repayable contributions available, our goal is to empower local businesses to advance green technologies and drive positive environmental impact.”
– Yvonne Pilon, President & CEO, WETechAlliance
For 15 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 investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
WETechAlliance is one of 17 Regional Innovation Centres, funded by the Province of Ontario. We’re a non-profit organization, serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions, that provides entrepreneurs and companies with business services, training, IP and commercialization support, mentorship and strategic connections to help bring new ideas to market, scale to the next level and build a dynamic culture and a community of innovation.
WETechAlliance has served as the catalyst for technology and innovation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 2011. Learn more at www.wetech-alliance.com.
Delivery Partners:
This program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Jobs and Growth Fund, which advances economic recovery efforts, supports businesses and organizations to help create jobs, supports the transition to a green economy, and positions local economies for long-term growth.
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