Announcing the 2025 Recipients of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund

ventureLAB, in partnership with York Region, has announced the recipients of the 2025 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF), aimed at encouraging innovation and promoting diversity and inclusion within the community. This initiative is particularly focused on supporting non-profit organizations that enhance inclusive innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurs pushing forward the Agri-Tech and Cleantech sectors in the region.

The EIF provides direct financial support to emerging leaders, nonprofits, startups, accelerators, and community partners, empowering them to develop impact-driven projects that can stimulate economic growth and sustainability across York Region.

Stream 1: Non-Profit Organizations

The first stream of the EIF recognizes the crucial role non-profits play in fostering resilient communities. Two organizations have been awarded $10,000 each for their efforts in empowering underrepresented communities through innovation and entrepreneurship.

1. FoundersGap Inc.
   Based in Ontario, FoundersGap helps newcomer and underrepresented entrepreneurs launch innovation-oriented businesses. It facilitates skills development, mentorship, and access to investors through various initiatives. Their Newcomer Founder Launchpad will conduct ten workshops and provide mentorship to over 20 participants and ten startups in key sectors like AI and HealthTech, aiming to ease barriers related to isolation, Canadian business norms, and funding access.

2. ClearWater Futures Foundation
   The foundation’s flagship, ClearWater Farm, is situated on Lake Simcoe and focuses on regenerative farming and environmental awareness. The organization provides training in sustainable agriculture, targeting youth, women, and Indigenous communities. Through its Vertical Farming Training Centre, ClearWater integrates zero-emission vertical farming techniques to enhance food security and career pathways in sustainable agriculture.

Stream 2: Entrepreneurs and Startups in Agri-Tech and Cleantech

York Region serves as a leader in innovation with its thriving Agri-Food ecosystem. The second stream of the EIF awards $10,000 to startups working on groundbreaking technologies under the Agri-Tech and Cleantech umbrellas.

1. Cropinno
   An Agri-Tech startup, Cropinno employs satellite imagery and AI to assist farmers in early issue detection, thereby preventing yield loss and promoting sustainable practices.

2. Poket
   This startup offers a platform enabling users to self-report field data, enhancing data collection efforts across various sectors, particularly in agriculture.

3. Serenity Power
   Serenity has created a next-gen generator that runs on multiple fuels, providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to diesel generators.

4. RadioWires
   With its patented lightweight data network solution, RadioWires seeks to enhance electric vehicle (EV) range and minimize manufacturing waste.

5. Just Vertical
   The company focuses on indoor gardening systems, collaborating with local organizations to promote food production and sustainability education within communities.

6. Nanodevice Technologies Inc.
   Based in Markham, they develop semiconductor-based sensors for agriculture and food applications, planning to establish an R&D facility to generate high-skilled jobs.

7. STEM Minds Corp.
   This Aurora-based social enterprise aims to empower students through STEM education, utilizing AI tools for instant diagnostics of crop health, thus connecting technology and sustainability in learning.

About ventureLAB and York Region

ventureLAB is a prominent community for hardware technology and software companies in Canada, catalyzing innovation and economic growth through diverse initiatives. York Region, recognized as one of the biggest tech hubs in Canada, supports inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation, nurturing a community rich in opportunity and diversity.