Innovate Niagara: MEDIA RELEASE - i.d.e.a Fund Cohort 4
Today, 12 companies were selected to receive non-repayable contributions of up to $20,000 from Innovate Niagara in partnership with Boundless Accelerator, through Cohort Four of the 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. It provides 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 driving sustainable and circular economy growth in Canada. Supported by a $5.2 million Government of Canada investment for Boundless Accelerator, 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): Boundless Accelerator, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory, Launch Lab, TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, and WEtech Alliance.
“These strategic investments will contribute to the continued growth of the cleantech and innovation sectors across Niagara and southern Ontario,” said N’ora Kalb, Chief Executive Officer of Innovate Niagara. “We are proud to support these forward-thinking companies and to play a role in fostering a dynamic and resilient innovation ecosystem in our region.”
“Canada’s future depends on bold innovation and sustainable economic growth,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “The work of the i.d.e.a. Fund and Regional Innovation Centre partners is helping southern Ontario’s entrepreneurs commercialize clean technologies and adopt sustainable practices. These investments are strengthening our communities, protecting our environment, and positioning Canada as a global leader in clean growth.” The Innovate Niagara supported companies in Cohort Four are:
- After Five Collective
- Jardinette
- ARSI Canada
- LIVESENS
- Axe Living
- Mapleview Energy
- Biolyse Pharma
- Open House Real Estate
- Catapult Tactical XR
- Stratitrope
- Grow Build Learn
- Transify
To learn more about the i.d.e.a. Fund™, visit https://www.innovateniagara.com/site/idea-fund
Quick Facts
- Across southern Ontario, 75 companies have been selected to participate in Cohort Four of the i.d.e.a. Fund and will collectively receive non-repayable contributions of up to $1,485,000 https://www.idea-fund.ca/cohort-4-recipients/. To date, the i.d.e.a. Fund™ has supported nearly 320 businesses since its inception in 2022.
- Innovate Niagara is a Regional Innovation Centre in Niagara, Ontario, that works to foster entrepreneurship and the commercialization of innovations to help build globally competitive companies in the Niagara region.
- Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) help Ontario’s early-stage entrepreneurs succeed by offering mentorship, market intelligence, and connecting them to funding resources to help innovators work through the challenges of developing their ideas to make them marketable.
Associated Links
- Boundless Accelerator launches the Southern Ontario Environmental Impact Fund
- Innovate Niagara
- i.d.e.a. Fund™
- FedDev Ontario
Contacts
Chris Janzen
Director of Client Services
Innovate Niagara
cjanzen@innovateniagara.com
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
sofia.ouslis@ised-isde.gc.ca
About Innovate Niagara
Innovate Niagara is a non-profit organization supporting tech-driven entrepreneurs and businesses across Ontario. As one of the province’s 17 Regional Innovation Centres and a proud member of Canada’s Tech Network, Innovate Niagara provides the expertise and resources needed for companies to thrive from idea development to market success. Through personalized mentorship from experienced advisors, access to critical market intelligence, and a suite of programs and events, Innovate Niagara empowers entrepreneurs with essential tools for growth. Since its founding in 2011, the organization has secured over $108 million in funding for client ventures, delivered more than 18,000 hours of consulting support, and conducted numerous training sessions, all aimed at fostering a vibrant and collaborative innovation ecosystem in Niagara and beyond.
About FedDev Ontario
For over 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 impact 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 accounts.